Chains?

[coachgrd]

Hello everyone. I have a new BX1870 with turf tires. I'll be clearing snow with it and the front bucket this winter. (I know, not ideal and a blower would be the way to go but it wasn't in the budget.) For those of you in the BX line, am I going to need chains? If so, front? Back? Both? Or will the 4-wheel keep me out of trouble?

My driveway is 180' long, no major hills, except a slight rise up to the garage. We do get a substantial amount of snow each winter, being in the snow belt directly off Lake Erie.

Thanks in advance.

 

[JackJ]

Based on my experience with the same tractor and tires, I think you'll be ok without chains. It'll help to have some weight on the 3ph, so I rear blade would be a good complement to the front bucket. Or if you have a box blade, that can help too, especially for pulling snow away from garage doors.

Is your driveway asphalt? Gravel?

On fairly flat ground, chains should only be needed if you get glare ice. So partial thaws followed by refreezing on areas that weren't fully cleared or that don't drain well might leave you looking for that extra traction.

 

[Stmar]

If you read back through some of my threads/posts you will see some discussion on this subject. I have ATV chains that fit the front of my B2650 instead of spending $$$ on rear chains. This will be my first winter with this machine so time will tell if it will work. I have the R4 tires which should be good with 4wd but there are times when a bit more traction is desired if the drive ices up.

 

[CharlieFoxtrot]

I have turf tires on my B2650 and have never had a problem in snow, although it is a bit heavier than your BX so there may be a difference in performance between the two. I looked into rubber tire chains as I have pavement but decided that I didn't need them after trying going without. Ice on the other hand is a problem so if you have dirt/gravel and expect ice, you might want to consider getting chains.

 

[SLIMSHADIE]

I dont think you'll need chains. I clear about 300' of snow on flat gravel ground, without chains. I do have the R4s but read turfs have better traction, go figure. Also hook up rear blade used with bucket, front plow or snowblower depending on whats needed.

 

[coachgrd]

I do have the R4s but read turfs have better traction, go figure.

I asked my dealer what he suggested on ice/snow and this is exactly he told me.

 

[coachgrd]

Is your driveway asphalt? Gravel?

1/4 is concrete (the portion that rises up to the garage), while the other 3/4 is gravel.

 

[coachgrd]

I have turf tires on my B2650 and have never had a problem in snow, although it is a bit heavier than your BX so there may be a difference in performance between the two. I looked into rubber tire chains as I have pavement but decided that I didn't need them after trying going without. Ice on the other hand is a problem so if you have dirt/gravel and expect ice, you might want to consider getting chains.

I do get ice periodically, when the 3-4" hard pack melt then re-freezes. I can foresee this being a problem.

 

[jmf78]

I asked my dealer what he suggested on ice/snow and this is exactly he told me.

Hmmm....would have been nice for my dealer to tell me this. I can plow just fine. My lawn would just look better in the spring if I had turfs. Or so I think.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

 

[rjcorazza]

There are so many variables! Doing your own flat driveway I would think you would be ok without chains 99% of the time. Loaders generally do not excel at fast snow removal, but if you can spend a little more time plowing they are quite versatile. Anyway... with a loader on gravel, take a serious look at "Edge Tamers" that clamp on to the leading edge of the bucket. They are awesome (and inexpensive).

 

[Tooljunkie]

Think turfs will be fine. Trouble on the ice? Sprinkle some sand/gravel that you stashed in the garage before winter set in.
My choice would be a rear blade.both ends can do the work. I see it saving a lot of time if its doing someting when reversing.

 

[coachgrd]

Thank you everyone, for your thoughts. I'm actually looking forward to being out there moving snow, though I know its going to take me a considerable amount more time than it did with my blower...I just don't want to get stuck. But I'm enjoying the heck out of this machine and looking forward to the challenge.

 

[brimar]

I have a 1870 with turfs ,I have no problems with snow. I bought chains and only use them in ice or snow over about 8-10". I also use the loader bucket.

 

[rkidd]

Hello everyone. I have a new BX1870 with turf tires. I'll be clearing snow with it and the front bucket this winter. (I know, not ideal and a blower would be the way to go but it wasn't in the budget.) For those of you in the BX line, am I going to need chains? If so, front? Back? Both? Or will the 4-wheel keep me out of trouble?

My driveway is 180' long, no major hills, except a slight rise up to the garage. We do get a substantial amount of snow each winter, being in the snow belt directly off Lake Erie.

Thanks in advance.

I am close to you in NE Ohio, right in the heart of the snow belt. I do all of my snow plowing at home and some of the neighbors, using my B2650, with turf tires and the front bucket. It works great and have never had a traction problem.


View attachment 31427

 

[bearskinner]

We get a bit of snow and ice here in N Idaho. My property is fairly flat, but I had the same worries with my BX. I purchased chains ($89.00) for the rear, and they are still New in the Box. It is piece of mind having them though. I plow a 450' driveway 15' wide and the 1,000' private road out to pavement. I find keeping the rear light ( no backhoe or attachments) keeps it going straighter as there's more front downforce.

 

[coachgrd]

I am close to you in NE Ohio, right in the heart of the snow belt. I do all of my snow plowing at home and some of the neighbors, using my B2650, with turf tires and the front bucket. It works great and have never had a traction problem.


View attachment 31427

Ha, then you know full when what kind of snow I'm dealing with lol. I'm in the "belt" as well, about 4-5 miles south of I-90. Thanks for sharing this, good to know.

 

[coachgrd]

I have a 1870 with turfs ,I have no problems with snow. I bought chains and only use them in ice or snow over about 8-10". I also use the loader bucket.

Good to know, thank you brimar.

 

[coachgrd]

We get a bit of snow and ice here in N Idaho. My property is fairly flat, but I had the same worries with my BX. I purchased chains ($89.00) for the rear, and they are still New in the Box. It is piece of mind having them though. I plow a 450' driveway 15' wide and the 1,000' private road out to pavement. I find keeping the rear light ( no backhoe or attachments) keeps it going straighter as there's more front downforce.

Thanks bearskinner.