Which model do I need?!

[Confused kubota]

Hey guys my first post on here, but I just ordered a bx1880 that I only want a front mount snow blower and loader/pallet forks for. I have a level driveway about 120’ long with a 40’x60’ parking area in addition to that. Now my question is my buddy just bought a bx23s and has use for the backhoe and needs the bigger engine, he was able to get the bx2618 50” blower and that’s what I wanted but my dealer says they won’t even order those anymore…so I had to order the heavier duty 55” and said that’s all they put on all bx models but I just worry that it’ll be too big/heavy for the bx1880…I really don’t want to step up to the bx2380 as the 1880 is as big of a tractor as I want..but will I wish I had 23hp with the 55” blower instead of the 18hp? Or will it be too hard on it? Thanks in advance

 

[PaulR]

You obviously mean the 2816 blower. (?)
I don't have a TON of experience besides one New England Winter with some of the machines you're talking about...
I have a BX23S and the BX 2816 Snowblower, runs fine, takes in a foot of snow at good speed. Throws it like a champ. I have found however, that it does like to run at max RPM. Not perfectly sure that it may be my lust for POWER and throwing the snow as far as possible, or that it just needs the 4K+ rpm, but I've found myself running the snowblower at max rpm for most of the time.

Sorta surprised at what your dealer told you. Mine gave me no grief at all about what I ordered. I'm surprised he pushed you to an even larger blower on a smaller machine. Will it handle it? I think so, if they say so and the specs say so. Are you in New England? Maybe we could trade when you get yours?

Good luck OP, I think you'll probably be happy either way.

Edit: Also found this when I was searching the different snowblowers, may relate to you a bit:

50" vs 55" snowblower (front) for BX.

Final purchase decisions being made, any opinions on the 50" vs 55" snowblower for a new BX2380? 400+ foot driveway in Minnesota with wind drifting problems. Also, what makes the 55" "heavy duty" or "commercial grade"? Thanks

www.orangetractortalks.com

 

[Jchonline]

You are always going to wish you had more HP blowing snow. The question is how much slower will you need to go with 18 vs 23HP. No cab....personally I would absolutely go 23HP.

 

[orange crusher]

Trust me, you are WAY TOO under powered with the 18h.p. In heavy wet snow my 2680 is just right. Surprised your dealer didn't tell you that. The 55" blower needs a minimum 2380.

 

[Confused kubota]

You obviously mean the 2816 blower. (?)
I don't have a TON of experience besides one New England Winter with some of the machines you're talking about...
I have a BX23S and the BX 2816 Snowblower, runs fine, takes in a foot of snow at good speed. Throws it like a champ. I have found however, that it does like to run at max RPM. Not perfectly sure that it may be my lust for POWER and throwing the snow as far as possible, or that it just needs the 4K+ rpm, but I've found myself running the snowblower at max rpm for most of the time.

Sorta surprised at what your dealer told you. Mine gave me no grief at all about what I ordered. I'm surprised he pushed you to an even larger blower on a smaller machine. Will it handle it? I think so, if they say so and the specs say so. Are you in New England? Maybe we could trade when you get yours?

Good luck OP, I think you'll probably be happy either way.

Edit: Also found this when I was searching the different snowblowers, may relate to you a bit:

50" vs 55" snowblower (front) for BX.

Final purchase decisions being made, any opinions on the 50" vs 55" snowblower for a new BX2380? 400+ foot driveway in Minnesota with wind drifting problems. Also, what makes the 55" "heavy duty" or "commercial grade"? Thanks

www.orangetractortalks.com

Sorry no I meant the Bx2822a 55” blower, my buddy just got the bx2816 50” for his bx23s but the same place he just got his from (ordered in June and just got it now, and they had to get it from another dealer) but he wouldn’t go through that for me apparently

 

[GreensvilleJay]

Old skool rule was you need 1/2HP for every inch of snowblower cut, so 50" blower needs 25HP. while you could get by with less HP, that'd mean less snow going the distance, especially wet or 'high density' snow
A typical 25" cut walkbehind will have an 8HP engine on it, usually running 3000RPM(darn near full out).So, stands to reason a 50" blower WILL need at least 16HP. The BX1880 has +-18HP and some(maybe 4-5 ??) is used to MOVE the tractor. Haven't looked up the spec ,but I bet the PTO HP is maybe 13-14HP ??
Now if you did by a BX2380, you could borrow impelments with your buddy, especially if you get SSQA
options, it's always a question of options......

 

[RalphVa]

Hey guys my first post on here, but I just ordered a bx1880 that I only want a front mount snow blower and loader/pallet forks for. I have a level driveway about 120’ long with a 40’x60’ parking area in addition to that. Now my question is my buddy just bought a bx23s and has use for the backhoe and needs the bigger engine, he was able to get the bx2618 50” blower and that’s what I wanted but my dealer says they won’t even order those anymore…so I had to order the heavier duty 55” and said that’s all they put on all bx models but I just worry that it’ll be too big/heavy for the bx1880…I really don’t want to step up to the bx2380 as the 1880 is as big of a tractor as I want..but will I wish I had 23hp with the 55” blower instead of the 18hp? Or will it be too hard on it? Thanks in advance

My only experience is using my 12 hp Gravely on its 30 inch square chute snow blower. That thing dug into about 7 inches of sleet and threw it about 30 feet away in clearing our 350 ft driveway and turnaround area in front of 4 garages.

You can prorate up from there directly: 18 hp gas would do 45 inches easily. Diesel would do more because of torque before bogging it.

Snow's lighter than sleet.

 

[Confused kubota]

Trust me, you are WAY TOO under powered with the 18h.p. In heavy wet snow my 2680 is just right. Surprised your dealer didn't tell you that. The 55" blower needs a minimum 2380.

Ya I think I’m going to go up to the bx2380….now I don’t ever plan on it, but could I put a backhoe the 2380? Or do you have to the the bx23s for that? Just not sure what the difference is between the bx23s and the bx2380 other than the hoe

 

[Confused kubota]

Old skool rule was you need 1/2HP for every inch of snowblower cut, so 50" blower needs 25HP. while you could get by with less HP, that'd mean less snow going the distance, especially wet or 'high density' snow
A typical 25" cut walkbehind will have an 8HP engine on it, usually running 3000RPM(darn near full out).So, stands to reason a 50" blower WILL need at least 16HP. The BX1880 has +-18HP and some(maybe 4-5 ??) is used to MOVE the tractor. Haven't looked up the spec ,but I bet the PTO HP is maybe 13-14HP ??
Now if you did by a BX2380, you could borrow impelments with your buddy, especially if you get SSQA
options, it's always a question of options......

SSQA?

 

[DustyRusty]

Buy the largest BX that your pocketbook can afford, and you will not be disappointed. If you have a friend with a backhoe, you don't need one. Put that money toward a Kubota deluxe cab and heater. If you don't buy it now, you will wish that you did after the first experience of snow blowing when the wind is howling. I have a BX22 with a snowblower, and after the first winter, I bought a cab. When I got my BX23S, I had them install a cab on it also. The dealer told me that the cabs are so popular, that they stock them 10 at a time. Also, have them load the rear tires with Rim Guard ballast. Order it the way that you will want it because you will still be using that tractor in 20 years unless you move to a place where there is no snow.

 

[orange crusher]

Ya I think I’m going to go up to the bx2380….now I don’t ever plan on it, but could I put a backhoe the 2380? Or do you have to the the bx23s for that? Just not sure what the difference is between the bx23s and the bx2380 other than the hoe

The bx23s is designed for the back hoe with a double frame for support. I would suggest that you look at the bx2680 if you can find one. That 54" commercial blower fits the 2680 to a tee. The 2380 and 2680 are identical tractors cept' the 3 h.p. difference. That 3 h.p. makes a big difference on that heavier blower. This is my 4th winter with mine and I love it.

 

[rc51stierhoff]

Good day. Depending on your uses, especially with loader, there is no harm in checking out a B. I started with a BX and 3 or 4 years later went to a B. It’s not that the B has any more power but the extra weight makes much safer and also gives you more use of the loader. Turning radius is about the same size. BBoth machines bx and b are undperowered if you plan to cut wet tall grass. Footprint wise they are not that different in size, the b in my opinion is a little beefier bx with a lift kit. Good luck.

 

[Jchonline]

Ya I think I’m going to go up to the bx2380….now I don’t ever plan on it, but could I put a backhoe the 2380? Or do you have to the the bx23s for that? Just not sure what the difference is between the bx23s and the bx2380 other than the hoe

I dont think you can get the BX2380 with a backhoe. At least you cant build one on the Kubota website. If you want a backhoe its the BX23S. It’s a really nice machine, and if you have need of the backhoe then it is a good choice. If you dont have need of one, skip it unless you have money lying around.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

SSQA = Skid Steer Quick Attach
If you ever want to use pallet forks, snow blower,snow pushers, etc. it makes EASY 30 seconds on or off operations unless you really,really enjoy fighting with the old skool 4 pin system on uneven ground, in the freezin drizzle or boggy mud.....
I specifically ordered my BX23S with SSQA. what I 'lost' in carrying capacity, super easy on/off has mor ethan made up for it !!
It'd be interesting to hear if anyone went back to 4 pins after having SSQA.

 

[Confused kubota]

Ok thanks everyone. I ordered the bx2380 with the 55” front blower for my level driveway, only plan on getting the loader and possibly pallet forks in the summer. Don’t ever need a backhoe and wouldn’t want to rack up the hours on this tractor cutting grass so I’ll keep the riding mower for that…and another friend down the street from me has the 2601 that I’ve used a couple times so it’s there if I ever need to dig a hole

 

[orange crusher]

Ok thanks everyone. I ordered the bx2380 with the 55” front blower for my level driveway, only plan on getting the loader and possibly pallet forks in the summer. Don’t ever need a backhoe and wouldn’t want to rack up the hours on this tractor cutting grass so I’ll keep the riding mower for that…and another friend down the street from me has the 2601 that I’ve used a couple times so it’s there if I ever need to dig a hole

 

[fried1765]

Hey guys my first post on here, but I just ordered a bx1880 that I only want a front mount snow blower and loader/pallet forks for. I have a level driveway about 120’ long with a 40’x60’ parking area in addition to that. Now my question is my buddy just bought a bx23s and has use for the backhoe and needs the bigger engine, he was able to get the bx2618 50” blower and that’s what I wanted but my dealer says they won’t even order those anymore…so I had to order the heavier duty 55” and said that’s all they put on all bx models but I just worry that it’ll be too big/heavy for the bx1880…I really don’t want to step up to the bx2380 as the 1880 is as big of a tractor as I want..but will I wish I had 23hp with the 55” blower instead of the 18hp? Or will it be too hard on it? Thanks in advance

BUY ENOUGH TRACTOR !!!!!!!

 

[GreensvilleJay]

that's why I have 7.... had 8 but it was just a running,spare parts machine.

 

[fried1765]

that's why I have 7.... had 8 but it was just a running,spare parts machine.

Buy (a big) enough tractor.... was the intent!
Buy more than one tractor is also very good idea.
I have only 3