Snowblower?

[Mowbizz]

For those of you in the northern climates, when do you put your tractor snowblower on? I’m wrestling with this now…Central NH is a pretty good snow belt. My FEL has helped me immensely this summer and I think I can do without it now.
I think the next sunny day, I will do the change-over to the winter mode. This year I also have a new side by side (Kawasaki Mule) with a power angle plow to add to my armory…I dug into that yesterday and flipped the plow edge. Previous owner had plowed the edge down to the bolts but I still had “meat” to flip it. Had to drill new holes to get it on but This is not my primary, snow remover so it should last a while.
The BX5455 HD is next…I hate to be unprepared.

 

[RCW]

I’m central New York.

I don’t have a date certain but November 1 is likely a typical date for me. I really don’t like putting chains on in very cold weather.

 

[Mowbizz]

That’s another thing I forgot about! On the list!

 

[GreensvilleJay]

hmm. the sooner I make my snowrider conversion , the longer it'll be before it snows.

 

[Mowbizz]

hmm. the sooner I make my snowrider conversion , the longer it'll be before it snows.

that’s the conundrum!

 

[woodman55]

When I ran a blower I would always prep/test run it in Nov. Whether it stayed on or not, depended on what other, if any, chores I needed the tractor for.

 

[Mowbizz]

When I ran a blower I would always prep/test run it in Nov. Whether it stayed on or not, depended on what other, if any, chores I needed the tractor for.

Wow! In my opinion, the job of installing it is pretty tough so once on and running, it STAYS on until April!

 

[mcmxi]

For those of you in the northern climates, when do you put your tractor snowblower on? I’m wrestling with this now…Central NH is a pretty good snow belt. My FEL has helped me immensely this summer and I think I can do without it now.
I think the next sunny day, I will do the change-over to the winter mode. This year I also have a new side by side (Kawasaki Mule) with a power angle plow to add to my armory…I dug into that yesterday and flipped the plow edge. Previous owner had plowed the edge down to the bolts but I still had “meat” to flip it. Had to drill new holes to get it on but This is not my primary, snow remover so it should last a while.
The BX5455 HD is next…I hate to be unprepared.

I have two tractors which eliminates the "stress" of when a tractor is set up for winter use, but it's not a struggle to get the hydaulic angle blade (SSQA) on the front and the snow blower on the rear of the MX. I have to connect six hydraulic lines, a pair for the snow blade and two pairs for the blower but that's easy enough.

Getting the front snow blower on the BX25D was more of a pain than getting both implements on the MX. At least I don't have to crawl around on the ground with the MX or remove the FEL.

 

[Mowbizz]

I have two tractors which eliminates the "stress" of when a tractor is set up for winter use, but it's not a struggle to get the hydaulic angle blade (SSQA) on the front and the snow blower on the rear of the MX. I have to connect six hydraulic lines, a pair for the snow blade and two pairs for the blower but that's easy enough.

Getting the front snow blower on the BX25D was more of a pain than getting both implements on the MX. At least I don't have to crawl around on the ground with the MX or remove the FEL.

You can say that again! BX25D here too.

 

[mcmxi]

You can say that again! BX25D here too.

I had a BX25D for five years. I always seemed to be playing catch up in terms of getting it set up for winter. Typically it would be snowing and freezing cold as I removed the FEL, installed the snow blower quick hitch and subframe, and wrestled with the mid PTO driveshaft. I think I left it as long as possible because it was a fair amount of work to set up and there was always the chance that I'd need the FEL for something.

I don't miss those days, and I have to say, life is so much easier with the MX.

 

[RCW]

I had a BX25D for five years. I always seemed to be playing catch up in terms of getting it set up for winter. Typically it would be snowing and freezing cold as I removed the FEL, installed the snow blower quick hitch and subframe, and wrestled with the mid PTO driveshaft. I think I left it as long as possible because it was a fair amount of work to set up and there was always the chance that I'd need the FEL for something.

I don't miss those days, and I have to say, life is so much easier with the MX.

I've had the BX2360 for 11 years now.

I typically have the FEL on early spring and fall when I'm not mowing.

If I don't need the FEL, I'll go right from blower to mower, and visa versa.

Like @mcmxi says, it has gotten to be more challenging putting the blower on as I get older.

Same with the MMM. I could easily see myself looking at a rear finish mower down the road.

It's still the tire chains that motivate that task while it's above 40-50 and sunny..... If you've ever put on icey/snowy chains on, you know what I'm talking about.

Our extended forecast has some sun and 60's. I can foresee one last trip mowing/chopping leaves, and then transition to winter mode.

 

[DustyRusty]

Early snows don't last, so Thanksgiving is my date. I still haven't done my 200 hour service and I am about 30 minutes late.

 

[Dustball]

For those of you in the northern climates, when do you put your tractor snowblower on?

The correct answer is- a day later than I should have.

 

[Mowbizz]

The correct answer is- a day later than I should have.

 

[BAP]

I wait until there is actually snow in the forecast and looks like enough to need blowing. I put my blower on and take off several times throughout the winter because I use my loader a lot on my B2920. I can swap from loader to snowblower and vice versa, in about 15-20 minutes. Tire chains, I wait until it looks like I need them.

 

[Mowbizz]

Did my swap over to snowblower today (nice dry warm day). Before that, I moved my sand barrels into place and filled them with sand…last season, I forgot this step and had to huff barrels, stands and sand by wheelbarrow. I won’t forget that step again! Saw this morning that there IS snow in next week’s forecast…I’m ready. JUST DO IT!!

 

[RCW]

Posted on “what did you do today” thread….

Chains will follow next couple days.