BX1880 Snowblowing

[Tigrof]

I was considering purchasing a BX1880 with the 50" front mounted snow blower until the dealer said that I wouldn't be happy with the BX1880 ability to
power through any amount of snow without the wheels slipping and getting stuck. Is there anyone out there with this setup and can comment of their experiences with it. I live in southern NH.

 

[RDinNHandAZ]

I have a BX1870 similiar to the 1880 you are thinking about and live in the Lakes Region. My drive is steep up to my house and like you we get wet heavy snow. I had the rear tires loaded with RimGuard™ at Pete’s Tire (https://www.petestire.com/new-hamps...chester-new-hampshire-tire-sales-and-service/) I also cary a 5 foot rear blade to push the snowbank the town leaves where my paved drive meets the dirt road. That keeps me from picking up rocks along their right of way. The BX5450 snowblower does it’s job great. I feel like I have the perfect combination for my drive which is about 500 feet long. The tractor needs all the power it makes coming up the drive with 10” of wet snow but it does it. If I were buying new I would consider the BX2380 to get a bit more power but I bought used with low hours (84) so I’m happy. I built an electric chute rotator and deflector for the blower as I fitted a soft cab from a lawn tractor.
Best to you.

 

[Tigrof]

Thanks for sharing your experiences.

 

[Bearcatrp]

One thing on the BX series tractors. They all have the same lifting, loader and 3 point. Just more horsepower as you move up. For not much more, check out a B series tractor. A little heavier, more lift power. I enjoy my 1880 but if I decide to upgrade, will be looking at a B series tractor. The BX may get the job done, but a little slower than the larger tractors. I only use the back blade for snow removal. Does a good job on gravel. This year I’ll have a front blade too. Good luck on your decision.

 

[PaulL]

The difference in price between a BX1880 and a BX2380 isn't much. It's quite a bit more power. Like all these decisions, it'll do the job, just slower. So you won't be unhappy as such with a BX1880, it'll be awesome and you'll be glad you bought it. You just might be a bit happier with the BX2380. I wouldn't go to the BX2680, that's more power than a BX needs. And as @Bearcatrp says, a B isn't much more money, so at least take a look at them as well before you buy.

 

[Bearcatrp]

Forgot to mention. The higher BX tractors have larger tires than the 1880. Others with the 1880 stated they put tires from the 23S without issues. Was told to look underneath and look at the rear end plate. Sure enough, states 23S. So I bought a set. Works great. Got about a 2 inch lift. Put R4 tires on it that the 1880 cannot get on the original rims. I swap them in the winter for better height for winter duties. The main thing was to insure the tires ratio was the same as my turf tires I got with the 1880. Works great plowing snow. I don't think my mower deck with the R4's will rub but will have to give it a try. If they do, may get another set of the larger tires with turfs for mowing. Just do your homework on the kubota web site comparing to find the right tractor for you. Good luck.

 

[RDinNHandAZ]

The tire issue is an odd manufacturing decision in my opinion. My BX1870 also has a slightly shorter wheelbase so the larger tires from the BX23XX series will fit but as you say the fronts(?) may interfere with the mower deck as reported elsewhere. I haven’t been bothered by the slightly smaller tires but why isn’t the BX18XX just a lower hp version of the 23XX with the cheaper seat and no cruise. Kubota can’t be saving much building two different frames and putting on different tires? For my steep sidehills I’m better off with a lower tractor for stability anyway and loading the tires really helped with that too. My turf tires do a really good job in snow BTW. My lifetime with Ag tractors would suggest R4 or Ag tires would not do as well on packed snow like a driveway.

 

[Bearcatrp]

Kubota would be smart to end the 1880 line of tractors. Sure it works great. Especially for mowing. Does make me wonder if the engines are the same across the BX line and just tuned for higher HP as you get higher in the BX series. I know when I had my rig many years ago, it was a software upgrade to increase my HP. May have to check on that.

 

[Kurtee]

I think the dealer is trying to up sell you. I have a BX2680 with 48" blower and a JD X739 with a 47" blower. I believe that what you will find is that the BX1880 is that in heaver snow it will be a little slower due to power issues. Getting stuck is a personal problem. When the snow is cleared to the ground you won't get hung up. If you get it stuck due to deep snow it will only happen once as it is a lesson learned. I bought the BX 2680 with 48" blower due to having found that any snow blower machine has never had too much power. I have the cab and rear wheel weights and find that many times I can leave it in 2 wheel drive. Turns tighter that way. The X739 I have pushed that blower through hard packed drifts as high as the blower. Takes a little doing, sometimes backing up to take another run. I went from a Honda 5518 with 42" blower to the Kubota due to several factors not the least being parts availability. That had turf tires, 18 hp, and 4 wheel drive. Always did what I needed. Sometimes you will have wheel slip when floating the blower, but I just pick the blower up a tad and the front wheels grip more. Just need another pass to get it down. The only reason I see to go bigger than the BX1880 is power under the hood. Snow removal takes power. BX1880 should do just fine if maybe a little slower. Way better that a shovel.

 

[Bearcatrp]

Have looked at blowers for my 1880 but have found the rear blade does fairly well moving snow. Have the blade backwards so it can’t dig in. Just adjust the top 3 point to get the blade to be straight up and down. Bought a front blade to see how this will work with both blade on the ground (reversed). Will have to experiment. May just leave it a couple inches off the ground in heavy snow to clear some and let the rear blade move the rest. Had my bucket up front in the past to move snow when needed. Will find out this winter how this works out.

 

[PaulL]

Kubota would be smart to end the 1880 line of tractors. Sure it works great. Especially for mowing. Does make me wonder if the engines are the same across the BX line and just tuned for higher HP as you get higher in the BX series. I know when I had my rig many years ago, it was a software upgrade to increase my HP. May have to check on that.

The BX series have different displacement in each power level, it's not tuning. The BX2680 engine may be the B2301 motor running at higher revs (hence the slightly higher output).