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

Captaincj

New member
Apr 2, 2019
72
2
0
Hugo, MN
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
 

North Idaho Wolfman

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L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Jun 9, 2013
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Sandpoint, ID
The 55" HD model is just that heavy duty, every part of the blower is heavier, well worth it if you want to work it hard and have it last!
 

GreensvilleJay

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BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
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It'd be nice to see 'links' to the blowers but I have a couple 'off the cuff' comments.
What's 'heavy duty ' really mean ? I've got 25-30 year old walkbehinds and they aren't 'HD' but they STILL blow snow fine and I do more than 400' of driveway..
What's the price difference between the two ? I know the 50" one for my BX23-S is about $5K. What I don't like is the total loss of FEL, bucket and forks. All that goes THEN the SB gets mounted....
I don't know if you have the loader on your BX2380 but that 'one or other' was a sale killer.
I'm currently making a 'self powered SSQA SB unit' in my spare time. I need the tractor for other jobs during the winter and there's no way this guy's going to spend 1/2 day changing from FEL to SB, SB to FEL between snowstorms !

Jay
 

Frostbitten

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Equipment
2019 BX2380
Jul 19, 2012
50
0
6
Grand Haven, Mi USA
kubota also makes a 48" heavy duty version that will be a little less money than the 55 inch


For me in michigan, where we get lake effect almost all winter, I had a standard bx2750 snowblower on my older bx2660

This was the standard version, and let me say that it was a beast of a snowblower

I can honestly say that as long as your throwing snow and not ice, the standard duty will do everything you want and more

However, if you get big drifts and ice build up. Id look into the HD version


This weekend im going to pick up the new bx2816 standard duty snowblower for my new bx2380. Again, even tho we get alot of snow where i live, the standard blower did a fantastic job. NO complaints from me.


Price out the 48" HD version. When i had it quoted it was about 500 dollars less than the 55". It still was more than the bx2618 (standard version)
 

dalola

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Equipment
BX2380 w/FEL & Woods RM48 RFM, Yazoo/Kees Max2 ZTR
Jun 30, 2017
316
6
18
Ohio
For those who like to keep their FEL in place, why not a rear-mount blower? Much simpler to R&R as well as being lower cost.

As to size, probably makes sense to get as big as your rig/pocketbook can handle, unless you have tight quarters to work in.
 

GreensvilleJay

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BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
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Greensville,Ontario,Canada
re: rear mount snowblower..
Up here they are 1/2 the price of the front mtd version(2500 vs 5000)
BUT... PITN ( Pain In The NECK) as well as back !

If you're missing two lower discs ,like me, then you KNOW why I'm going front mtd.

Jay
 

RCW

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BX2360, FEL, MMM, BX2750D snowblower. 1953 Minneapolis Moline ZAU
Apr 28, 2013
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Chenango County, NY
I've used the BX2750D 50" for 6 seasons.

Biggest snowfall was 34" in a day. Get a foot + a couple/few times a season.

My driveway is short but wide and all stone. I need to throw snow for distance sometimes.

All-in, my only complaint has been the shoes, but I believe more recent models have a different shoe design. I modified mine to suit. I've had no problems with gauge of steel, construction, etc.

Anything over 6" of heavier stuff gets my BX2360's attention....need to slow down. I can ram through 10" of dry, cold Lake Effect pretty quick.

I wonder if the extra 5" might just be a little more for the tractor to handle, but many guys here have them, and I don't recall it being a problem.

I've never seen an HD model in person, so can't comment. There are places 55" could be a concern (walkways, etc.) for me, but not a big deal.

I am a big fan of HD. Just wanted to toss out that I haven't had issues with the "regular" version, and I've worked it pretty good.
 

Jefferson

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L3200 fel, Bx 2380 fel,60"deck,50"fm snowblower,50"tiller, Brush hog
Oct 14, 2011
57
1
8
West Michigan, USA
Used the 50" standard duty for 15 years on my 2004 Bx 1500 and never had a problem other than a few shear pins doing exactly what they were designed to do! I have a large driveway and we do get plenty of lake effect snow here in West Michigan. Last year I replaced it with a BX 2380 with the same blower.. should last me forever!
 

Frostbitten

Member

Equipment
2019 BX2380
Jul 19, 2012
50
0
6
Grand Haven, Mi USA
Used the 50" standard duty for 15 years on my 2004 Bx 1500 and never had a problem other than a few shear pins doing exactly what they were designed to do! I have a large driveway and we do get plenty of lake effect snow here in West Michigan. Last year I replaced it with a BX 2380 with the same blower.. should last me forever!
where you at? I too am in west michigan

just south of grand haven!!
 

conropl

Member

Equipment
L3560 HSDC
Oct 17, 2016
233
18
18
West Michigan
Another from West Michigan. I had a 50" with a B2320. The 23 HP handled it well, but I wonder if 55" would have been a little to much. In wet heavy snow you are going have to slow way down.

The newer shoes have a wider stance and are nicer on gravel drive as they dig in less. Shear pins break a lot if you get into stones. Not an issue once you get a good base to ride over the stones. If you have a paved drive, then you shouldn't have any issues.

I now have a little larger tractor and blower, and it is much heavier duty. Now I hardly ever break a shear pin (only when I do something stupid). Check with your dealer to make sure your tractor can handle to 55". If so, then it would be worth the HD if you have a lot of stones or sod to deal with.

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Sqidget

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Equipment
BX24
Feb 5, 2011
43
0
6
Richmond, RI
A little more food for thought. The 55" has a gearbox, not a chain and sprockets like the 50". If I remember correctly the 55" also comes with the hydraulic chute rotator standard. that was a 850.00 add on for the 50" I have the bx 2750d 50" and have blown the chain and sprockets off it 2 times already. I don't know why, but I only use factory shear bolts. I would go with the gearbox version even though its rather expensive
 

Captaincj

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Apr 2, 2019
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Hugo, MN
A little more food for thought. The 55" has a gearbox, not a chain and sprockets like the 50". If I remember correctly the 55" also comes with the hydraulic chute rotator standard. that was a 850.00 add on for the 50" I have the bx 2750d 50" and have blown the chain and sprockets off it 2 times already. I don't know why, but I only use factory shear bolts. I would go with the gearbox version even though its rather expensive
Interesting...

I've been asking the dealer for specific info but haven't received anything and can't find anything online.

I'm leaning towards the 50" as I'm afraid the 55" will be too much for a 2380 and make me have to slow way down.

Sounds like most haven't had any problems with the 50".
 

RCW

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BX2360, FEL, MMM, BX2750D snowblower. 1953 Minneapolis Moline ZAU
Apr 28, 2013
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Chenango County, NY
Go to the Kubota website and find the illustrated parts diagrams for the two blower models.
It will show you the differences in the drives.


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skypros

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Equipment
BX23s
Jul 2, 2018
67
12
8
Bend, OR
I could not find any info on the difference between the two snowblowers

But I did find this video on how the 4-point hitch system installs and connects.
https://youtu.be/j6Cm40Ch0Bg

Here is a great video on someone that owns the 55" snowblower (BX2822)
https://youtu.be/zGWB1BYr280

BX2822A 55" Commercial Front Snowblower
BX2810 4-Point Front Hitch
BX2811 K-Connect PTO System
And like others have said... The 55" looks like it includes the Hydraulic Chute Roatation


BX2816 - 50" Front Snowblower
BX2810 4-Point Front Hitch
BX2811 K-Connect PTO System
BX2818 Hydraulic Chute Roatation (option)
 

jhschlak

Member

Equipment
BX 1880
Apr 5, 2011
83
6
8
Sharon Center, Ohio
FYI - I can change my front mount snow blower over to FEL in about 15 minutes. It's a quick-attach type system, no bolts or anything to put on or take off. It's pretty slick actually.
I've got the standard 50" unit here in northeast Ohio. Works great!
Jeff
 

tiktock

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Jun 27, 2018
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Plaistow
FYI - I can change my front mount snow blower over to FEL in about 15 minutes. It's a quick-attach type system, no bolts or anything to put on or take off. It's pretty slick actually.
I've got the standard 50" unit here in northeast Ohio. Works great!
Jeff

100% agree. I have a BX1880 and I can drop the blower off and have the FEL on in less than 15. Once I did the front hitch 2X it takes less than 30 seconds to pop on and off...just two spring loaded pins and one bar to put it on. I've actually heard a few claim that with the blower off, you can actually operate the FEL but I've never tried it. I havent found or thought of a situation I'd need the FEL in a snow scenario where the blower wouldnt be a better choice. I have considered a back blade for those annoying 1-2" slush storms, however.
 

Captaincj

New member
Apr 2, 2019
72
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0
Hugo, MN
I decided on the BX2822 55"HD snowblower.

Ultimately the heavier gauge and gearbox drive won me over. It was $600 all-in more expensive than the BX2816 in my case.

Just hope it isn't too much blower for the BX2380 to spin. I'm hoping it isn't as it's only 10% bigger and the BX2380 has roughly 30% more PTO horsepower than the BX1880.
 

PNWBXer

Member

Equipment
BX2380
Feb 24, 2020
134
11
18
Washington
I decided on the BX2822 55"HD snowblower.

Ultimately the heavier gauge and gearbox drive won me over. It was $600 all-in more expensive than the BX2816 in my case.

Just hope it isn't too much blower for the BX2380 to spin. I'm hoping it isn't as it's only 10% bigger and the BX2380 has roughly 30% more PTO horsepower than the BX1880.
Any results?? How did it turn out?