Snowblower Guidance

[carrsw1]

I am a new BX2350 owner. I purchased the unit with the front mount snowblower to handle my driveway.....the driveway is paved, almost 1000 ft long, it has two fairly steep hills, two 90 degree turns, and its own bridge. There is no place to push the snow so the snowblower is essential.

I am a new resident in southern Connecticut, having moved here recently from Atlanta, Georgia.

My question is regarding traction with the front mount blower attached. I purchased a set of chains for the rear tires (turf). Can anyone recommend if I should load the tires or acquire some weights or should the chains be enough?

Appreciate any advice that is provided. I have a grand total of 3.2 hours on the tractor so far but suspect that once the snow starts, this should increase pretty quickly.

 

[teachdocs]

You will probably be fine even without the chains.
The blower will remove deeper snow before the turfs ever see it.
Turfs are usually only a problem in deeper snows since the cleats fill up and don't self clean as well as the Ags.

We don't get a lot of deep snows in Kansas City, but I never had problems pushing a blade with 8-10 inches of snow using Turfs. The snowblower should make it even easier.

Bet you can't wait for the first big snowfall.
Have fun!

 

[goaliedad]

not familiar with your exact tractor- I have an old kubota L175 with loaded turf tires, chains and front blower. I have one steep hill that gives me trouble if it ice's up at all. Rather than spend the money on loading tires I would suggest you invest in a back blade- it is alot faster for light fluffy snow- and would give you some weight on the rear. I blade mine to one side of the drive then blow the windrow.

I bought a cheap TSC blade, and found it did not have enough weight to keep it digging in good. I picked up some bar-bell weights at a thrift store and rigged a bar on the frame work of the blade- cheap fix.

enjoy!

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

Car,

I hope you have a cab for your tractor/blower, 1000' is a lot of seat time in blowing snow. You will learn real quick to direct the snow the same way it is blowing. You do not want to blow into the wind, unless you like being a snowman.

As far a chains and loading, I would try 4wd, I do not think you will have a problem. With a paved driveway the blower cab rest on the pavement, thus not taking the weight off the rear tires. If not, a weight box works great on the 3 point. If you have a FEL a weight box is a must and or a heavy impliment on the 3pt. Filling the tires on a BX only adds about 80 lbs to each tire. Weight box with 300 lbs works great.

You will find the handle to turn the blower chute is a pain. A window motor added to the chute makes this real easy.

If you do not have the $$$ this year here is a cab I made for $125 from a golf car cover.

This link has all of the above.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-buying-pricing/87742-kubota-2750c-snoblower-chute-rotation.html

 

[Doc_Bob]

I am a new BX2350 owner. I purchased the unit with the front mount snowblower to handle my driveway.....the driveway is paved, almost 1000 ft long, it has two fairly steep hills, two 90 degree turns, and its own bridge. There is no place to push the snow so the snowblower is essential.

New to snow? All I can say is "TRACTION". Hill + snow = sliding. Take it easy, have fun and you might need another set of chains. Then, remember, soft snow can actually give you some traction. If you get a layer of ice, chains are even nicer to have.
Bob

 

[AMR]

I live on a hill in western CT and we can get some pretty good snow. Last winter I plowed my 500' long driveway with two 90 degree turns and a 15% grade with my BX23 and turfs (no chains just 4wd) with no problem. I bet that the blower/turf combo would be even better, the issue I found frequently was that when I got a good full blade of snow I would lose the ability to steer and had to push the snow off the side of the driveway and start up again. You shouldn't have issues like that with the blower.

 

[lawn_king]

I have never had severe traction problems with turf tires. I base this on owning/operating 2 kubota tractors w/ kubota front snowblowers, blowing snow commercially. You should be all set. The evolution of kubota snowblowers is producing better & better machines. My 1st unit, B2650 needed some custom welding to beef up for commercial use. Our new unit B2782 seems to be ready for commercial use. Sea trials coming with the first serious snowfall.

 

[AceDeuce]

I live in Northern VA. We don't typically get a lot of snow here, but what we do get is usually heavy and wet. I use a 5' back blade on my 200' gravel drive and my neighbors 1000'+ gravel drive. I rarely have problems, even going uphill through a tight dogleg curve. Of course, I'm in 4WD the entire time and have AG tires.

 

[techman]

You will be fine. You may lose front traction at times, but that happens no matter what with the snow blower. The blower will provide more weight than any additional weights you might add.

Seconding a comment earlier, a cab is very, very nice to have. I got a Sears brand 3 sided vinyl cab and driller a few hiles and adapted it to my BX22. My drive is 2200', and before the Kubota, I blew snow with my old tractor without a cab. The blower will throw up enough snow that with any wind you will be snow encrusted. So invest in a cab. Some posters here have modified a golf cart cover from Northern Tool. There are many options but for sure try to get one.

paul

 

[m7040]

Just got an FEL mounted 8 ft snow plow this year so I am looking forward to see how effective this will work in snow. Hope to not have to use chains but plan to attach an old woods cutter in the back as ballast in addition to the liquid filled tires. One issue may be when angling the plow is that the front of the tractor may push the front wheels over to the side. Not sure if I should get chains for the front wheels to prevent that. Any comments out there?