need some advice from my expert Kubby friends with snow pusher

[hockeystewey]

ok guys here's the scoop. I pushed snow today for the first time with my bx1880 and my new land pride 60" pusher....per the dealer I left the pusher in float and attempted to push. However, I noticed that I could not control left or right turning ..it just kept going straight. So if I raised the pusher just a touch I got my steering control back. I also noticed in using the backdrag option that that pusher likes to kinda uncurl under pressure so i had to keep that a tad off the surface too.

So here's the 50 million dollar question. anyone out there use a snow pusher in float and still have steering? or have any advice on the backdrag issue?. I am petrified of blowing out that center cylinder on my FEL...

oh by the way..this is a paved driveway.

thanks guys !!!!

 

[edritchey]

Sounds like you need more ballast

 

[WFM]

I used my new WoodMaxx snowblower today for the first time. SO if you have a snowblower question. I'm an expert now.
Sorry I'm not sure about why it rides up. But I've only had my bucket in float twice I think and that was by mistake.

 

[hagrid]

The front axle is being lifted as the blade encounters increasing resistance, hence the loss of yaw control.

 

[sheepfarmer]

Almost any snow removal implement will lose steering if there is too much snow, float or no float, or at least my experience with a snow blower on an Ingersoll, or front end loader. Yours is normal think. How much snow did you have? Only tip I have is from Messicks video on using this snow pusher on a BX, and that is to adjust curl.

 

[SidecarFlip]

The other day I bought a used 7 foot Western snowplow with a bobcat style hitch plate that fits my front end loader (s), haven't used t yet but it has skid shoes on it so I don't expect any steering issues. Have to get the power angle cylinders plumbed to my front hydraulics.

We have had some snow but not enough to fiddle with yet,

800 bucks.

 

[BravoXray]

You might try using your curl adjustment to see if that helps keep your front end down when pushing snow. Sometimes small adjustments will get my steering back, other times I may have to back up a bit and hold it up off the surface, and take two bites at it. This snow was heavy here, with a hidden layer of ice in the middle. What do you have on your three point hitch for weight? I usually use my back blade, or box blade, because then I can push snow or pull snow. With nothing on the back you will not be able to push as effectively, and this might cause you some problems like your describing. Four wheel drive can be a big help with direction control when pushing snow.
I would use your pull back option sparingly, go slow, and on a paved driveway you shouldn’t have to be too worried about your curl cylinder. Back dragging fast in uneven ground with roots and rocks catching at your blade is a good way to do some damage, but carefully pulling snow back from the garage doors should be fine.
Good luck,
Jerry

 

[majorwager]

What Hagrid said is correct. It is NOT just the loss of steering w/ my unit but the front wheels rise up enough to negate the front wheel drive assist.
Hence rear wheels begin to slip. I have 300 lbs of weights attached to front bumper, but it it not enough to overcome the wheel lift.

EDIT:
WFM, IF you read the OP thread starter, he is discussing operation in the FLOAT position wherein the terrain determines the loader position, height. Loader control valve does not use or offer common sense as a setting.
There is no intentional lifting of front wheels in his scenario, as it occurs do to inertia forces against the pusher. In theory, float should be ideal, but the actual result is not. A bucket will react differently than a blade, @ least until the bucket is full. And then bucket may continue cutting w/ overkill spilling last the sides because the weight is in the bucket and not simply pushing back against the very blade. Again different animals.

 

[WFM]

When I scrape the ice and snow off my pavement with my tractor bucket either forward or backwards I can pick the front tires off the ground and lose steering of course. Common sense tells me I need to lower the tractor so the front tires can steer if I want to scrape in other then a straight line.

 

[majorwager]

Waiting for someone to compare this scenario to a truck plow. That is a true float position. That plow is not being pushed by rigid arms mounted to the middle of the truck . Those plows, do at times rise up and ride on top of snow.

But the hinge action of the mount allows the front wheels to remain in ground contact. Tractor pusher mount is rigid, no hinge directly under the bumper.

 

[beaterboss]

Small adjustment may be required when pushing. May not be a good idea to keep it in float mode as the increased resistance will naturally lift the front wheels. I have a 72" Cotech snow pusher on my 3901, and see this once in a while. Rolling the pusher back a bit with the curl function will let the pusher ride on the shoes a little more, and should help you a bit.

I had noticed last season that when back-dragging, that the pusher would "kick out", and I would have to lift and force the curl function back down. It was due to some air in my hydraulic system. After bleeding the system, the problem ceased. SOMETIMES, JUST CYCLING THE CURL FUNCTION ALL THE WAY UP OR DOWN A FEW TIMES WILL PURGE THE AIR FROM THE SYSTEM.

Good luck. I LOVE my snow pusher as it cuts my snow removal time by 2/3.

 

[hockeystewey]

Thanks for all the info guys.... maybe its just an "adjustment" period and I need to play my way through it....

I have a ballast box on the back of my BX, prob has like 250-300lbs in it .

Im not sure about the backdragging curling, thing... maybe there is air in the lines..thats possible...the other thing I dont like is the backdrag edge is metal...should be poly....IMO

Thanks for all the info guys...I will keep adjusting my technique...it is kinda hard to tell if the pusher is completely level at times, I may have to invent a level indicator of some sorts.

 

[mikester]

ok guys here's the scoop. I pushed snow today for the first time with my bx1880 and my new land pride 60" pusher....per the dealer I left the pusher in float and attempted to push. However, I noticed that I could not control left or right turning ..it just kept going straight. So if I raised the pusher just a touch I got my steering control back. I also noticed in using the backdrag option that that pusher likes to kinda uncurl under pressure so i had to keep that a tad off the surface too.

So here's the 50 million dollar question. anyone out there use a snow pusher in float and still have steering? or have any advice on the backdrag issue?. I am petrified of blowing out that center cylinder on my FEL...

oh by the way..this is a paved driveway.

thanks guys !!!!

If you live in a snow belt then a snow blower will make your life a lot easier. In the alternative if you insist on trying to push snow you will need a bigger machine.

Your next surprise-no where left to push big mounds of snow. You also now have deep snow drifts to deal with because the snow banks make more drifts.

Your last big surprise-flooding and ponding because the snow banks acts as dams when it all starts to melt.

FYI rear ballast won***8217;t help you steer. Your front wheels have no traction.

 

[Jchonline]

If you live in a snow belt then a snow blower will make your life a lot easier. In the alternative if you insist on trying to push snow you will need a bigger machine.

Your next surprise-no where left to push big mounds of snow. You also now have deep snow drifts to deal with because the snow banks make more drifts.

Your last big surprise-flooding and ponding because the snow banks acts as dams when it all starts to melt.

FYI rear ballast won***8217;t help you steer. Your front wheels have no traction.

When I saw BX1880 and a 60" pusher that is exactly what I thought...after a reasonable snow storm you are pushing more snow weight than the tractor weighs. If you are only pushing a few inches, I bet you just need to get more used to it not allowing steering. If you watch videos of other snow pushers on skid steers lots of them just go straight anyway. Now if you have a curved driveway...ugh.

Snow blower does seem like a great recommendation, if you can get one that runs well on 18 HP. Sorry I haven't looked in this HP range.

 

[Jchonline]

Small adjustment may be required when pushing. May not be a good idea to keep it in float mode as the increased resistance will naturally lift the front wheels. I have a 72" Cotech snow pusher on my 3901, and see this once in a while. Rolling the pusher back a bit with the curl function will let the pusher ride on the shoes a little more, and should help you a bit.

I had noticed last season that when back-dragging, that the pusher would "kick out", and I would have to lift and force the curl function back down. It was due to some air in my hydraulic system. After bleeding the system, the problem ceased. SOMETIMES, JUST CYCLING THE CURL FUNCTION ALL THE WAY UP OR DOWN A FEW TIMES WILL PURGE THE AIR FROM THE SYSTEM.

Good luck. I LOVE my snow pusher as it cuts my snow removal time by 2/3.

Beater how do you use the combination of the blower and the pusher? Just curious to learn what you have found most effective.

 

[hockeystewey]

If you live in a snow belt then a snow blower will make your life a lot easier. In the alternative if you insist on trying to push snow you will need a bigger machine.

Your next surprise-no where left to push big mounds of snow. You also now have deep snow drifts to deal with because the snow banks make more drifts.

Your last big surprise-flooding and ponding because the snow banks acts as dams when it all starts to melt.

FYI rear ballast won***8217;t help you steer. Your front wheels have no traction.

I researched a blower for my tractor, but the 4k price tag was a little steep unless i want to start a go fund me page and raise money...and im pretty sure that won't work....

And i don't have piles or drifts or flooding issues... I live in a circle. I push all the snow into the circle and the town hauls it away withe road snow.

 

[Jchonline]

Almost any snow removal implement will lose steering if there is too much snow, float or no float, or at least my experience with a snow blower on an Ingersoll, or front end loader. Yours is normal think. How much snow did you have? Only tip I have is from Messicks video on using this snow pusher on a BX, and that is to adjust curl.

Here is that video.

If you loose front traction, Neil recommends adjusting bucket curl to see if you can level the loader enough to get weight back on the front tires.

This looks like it would work great if you have a paved, level surface to scrape.

I also noticed he was pointing to the 48" scaper for the BX series and you mentioned you have a 60" Wondering if it is a bit much for the 1880. I will let you be the judge

 

[hockeystewey]

Here is that video.

If you loose front traction, Neil recommends adjusting bucket curl to see if you can level the loader enough to get weight back on the front tires.

This looks like it would work great if you have a paved, level surface to scrape.

I also noticed he was pointing to the 48" scaper for the BX series and you mentioned you have a 60" Wondering if it is a bit much for the 1880. I will let you be the judge

Thanks for the link. I did try to get a 48" originally, but landpride doesn't have any in stock til like 17 Dec. Which clearly wasnt going to work for me in Western NY...so after long chats with dealer i chose to go to the 60".

It could have just been wet heavy snow,could have been my rookie use of the impliment too or both....It wasn't my ideal choice, i still want a blower setup but at a good 4k... I have to save some pennies first.

 

[RCW]

It could have just been wet heavy snow,could have been my rookie use of the impliment too or both....

That was heavy stuff.

I remarked the same to another NY member on another thread.

 

[majorwager]

Hockey,
Woodmaxx is a NY mfg of snow blowers. Much less than $4K.

They sell and ship direct. May even live close enough to p/u and save even more?.

All prices shown on their website.

EDIT:

WFM , OP did not include snow blower in thread. Later replies suggested a snow blower, The woodmaxx option was suggested do to cost factor. If there was some THREAD restriction to a rear mount unit, I missed it.

OP already has a pusher, logical to retain that implement, add blower on rear. YMMV

And to be clear, woodmaxx DOES make several front mount blowers although they are hydraulically powered and generally utilized by skidsteers, I have a hydraulic rear mount power unit, 32 gpm that would power their unit just fine on my FEL, LOL's notwithstanding