BX23S Snow Blowing With Backhoe Removed

[SEF]

Does anyone use the front snowblower attachment, in my case the BX2816, with the Backhoe attachment removed? If so, would you recommend counterweight?

 

[GreensvilleJay]

This will be interesting to follow, as neighbour has BX23xx with blower ( no loader version), doesn't have any weight in back. heck he's only got 3 hrs on 'winter duty'...due to lack of snow here.
Snowblowing is easier on the tractor than blade as blower does the work. I can see maybe 200-400# on the back for traction. Having 4WD will really help. Curious as to HOW the weight is added ! Ideally you'd like enough but not too much. Too much puts uneccessary stress on the machine and wastes fuel.

I just use the bucket for 'snow detail' so BH is on.

 

[unhdsm]

A 5 ft back blade works fine for me. I could even get by without it as long as I had a set of chains on back.

 

[DustyRusty]

When I first got my BX23S, I used a BX2816, which had about 600# in a weight box in the rear and turf tires. I never had a problem blowing snow. I have now switched to a BX2822 Commercial snowblower, and it works great with the weight box in the rear. My 20 years of experience snow blowing with a BX22 and BX23S have taught me that without the weight in the rear, the tractor will lose traction, and you might get stuck.

 

[SEF]

Thanks for the replies so far. I have chains, I use 4WD, the driveway is flat and loose gravel so I'm confident that I won't get stuck. I'm just wondering if I would cause premature wear on the front end if I didn't leave the backhoe on or use a counterweight. I'd like to remove the hoe to get into a couple of tight spots and I don't want to spend any additional money on counterweights. I'd like to have my cake and eat it too!!

 

[DustyRusty]

Thanks for the replies so far. I have chains, I use 4WD, the driveway is flat and loose gravel so I'm confident that I won't get stuck. I'm just wondering if I would cause premature wear on the front end if I didn't leave the backhoe on or use a counterweight. I'd like to remove the hoe to get into a couple of tight spots and I don't want to spend any additional money on counterweights. I'd like to have my cake and eat it too!!

So how has that worked out for you previously in life? It is one thing to be thrifty, and another to be downright cheap. Spend the money because you can't take it with you, however, caskets now have a drawer in them for the family to put mementos into it.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

re: I'm confident that I won't get stuck. ......
hahaha...sigh, BTDT
will you post pictures of shame WHEN it happens ???

I know the odds are you won't but...........................

I was pushing inches of fluffy white, wet base here for 2 hours, cleaned out the firehall paved lot and almost got stuck,so I know ....EMS offered me a treat, but since they saved mu life back in '14 I feel I owe them 'one'.

 

[Henro]

Does anyone use the front snowblower attachment, in my case the BX2816, with the Backhoe attachment removed? If so, would you recommend counterweight?

I would recommend the backhoe as a counterweight on your BX23S.

What can it hurt being on the back? Is there a reason why you don't want the backhoe there? Just wondering...perhaps clearance issues when turning, or something?

 

[SEF]

I would recommend the backhoe as a counterweight on your BX23S.

What can it hurt being on the back? Is there a reason why you don't want the backhoe there? Just wondering...perhaps clearance issues when turning, or something?

Yes, clearance issues in a couple of spots. Keeping the backhoe on for now, may do a trial run without the hoe later on. I'll post how it goes, thanks.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

rotate the how full right might get you more 'wiggle room'
Any 3PH store bought weight unit will probably be 2-3 ft out anyway.
Should have 4-500# out back ( BH is 700+).

 

[Henro]

Yes, clearance issues in a couple of spots. Keeping the backhoe on for now, may do a trial run without the hoe later on. I'll post how it goes, thanks.

I don't have a snow blower, or any experience with snow blowers. BUT I would think if the snowblower actually contacts the ground, with wheels or skids, then the concern of added stress on the front end components would be minimized.

Just a thought...

 

[GreensvilleJay]

when(if) there's enough snow I use a dedicated rider/snowblower. 2WD and 100# out back.The big issue is STEERING, so I plan long straight runs. I dump my driveway snow across the street on neighbours grass and vice versa,so there's 80' of the road cleared off for EMS. I'm the hidden driveway on a blind curve, makes it kinda 'interesting'.

 

[BX25D Rookie]

I agree with all the above. The backhoe mounted is a clumsy form of rear weight.
I, like you, wanted to get in closer to buildings and other snow removal obstacles.
I ended up building a ~ 450 or so pound rear weight ballast barrel myself.
It's close enough to the weight of the backhoe that I have great traction.
It doesn't stick out behind the BX very far. I use the FEL with a set of Edge Tamers, not a snowblower.

IMG_20230908_144139291 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_20230920_164800040_HDR by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

 

[Null]

Third winter with BX2816 Blower on my 23s.
Note that I use 4wd when clearing snow.
I clear my drive/yard then run machine (1/2 mile) to my Dad's place and clear his.
Takes about 3 hours per storm.
Left backhoe on the 1st winter. Traction was fine but clearance issues with stabilizer feet and extra length around vehicles was troublesome.
2nd year I tried my BB1254 box blade in place of backhoe. Traction was fine. No notable change there. Clearance was still an issue working alongside objects, especially when turning away from them.
This last summer I added fluid to rear tires. This made the tractor noticeably more capable work wise and much smoother on the 1/2 mile run to Dad's place.
This winter I'm running nothing on the back but the weight in the tires. Traction is no issue when snow clearing and clearance issues around objects is as good as it can be.
If I never left the yard things would be good as is. But..when carrying the blower to and from Dad's I feel the lack of counter weight, especially downhill. This tells me I need another 200 lbs or so out back.
Cheapest fix I have right now is to put box blade back on.
I'll build something better this summer.
All this to say you should add weight at the rear equal to the weight of the blower and mount for safety and longevity of front axle.
In my experience so far, traction has never been an issue with the blower in any configuration.

 

[RDinNHandAZ]

I’m with unhdsm on this one. The back blade is useful to move the roll of snow the town leaves across my drive entrance and that often contains rocks they collect early in the snow season. By using the blade I get two benefits, it’s weight and it’s service. It also is useful to scrape the drive cleaner than the blower gets it. Yes it something you need to be aware of hanging back there.

 

[Donystoy]

I also use a front blower and rear blade combination. No close quarters to worry about on my 4000 foot long driveway. Blower is mostly on the surface unless the steering is not responding. I used the blade yesterday to do the final passes. I usually have to have the blade backward but this time the base was frozen and solid enough to have it facing forward and hardly cut into the gravel.
In my case I would not have the b/h on the back as it’s added weight would make the tractor a lot more difficult to recover if I slid into a ditch.