Wheelhorse vs. Bercomac 2 stage snowthrower

[JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,497]

Ok, I came across the Bercomac snowblower, 2 stage. Here I am going crazy for 2 years looking for a clean wheelhorse 2 stage snowthrower for my 522xi and BANG, here's an article on Bercomac 2 stage snowthrower. Also, now, I could do the 520 2 stage. But you can't find them clean either.

 

Question is, do any of you have a Bercomac? Have any of you had a Bercomac? Would you like to share your thoughts on a Bercomac? Are they built Better? Are they Crap? Keep looking for a wheelhorse 2 Stage OR maybe get a Bercomac. I could even put it on the Ingersoll < dirty words around here, lol.

 

Are they Pricey? Worth It? Not worth it?  At least now, I have another choice.  Would really be interested in hearing on these Bercomac units. winter / snow, it's just around the corner and will be here at our front doors before we know it. And price wise, what do these Bercomac run? Can't find that yet.  

 

Ok, this should be a good conversation piece, even if you guys don't have them, I bet you have heard something about them.

 

Glenn

[shallowwatersailor 3,213]

It appears that Wheel Horse used the Bercomac two-stage snowblower until 1989, according to my 1989 WH catalog. The 1990 catalog shows the Toro-influenced two-stage snowblower for use on the 500, 400, and 300 series tractors.

 

Bercomac still manufacturers the snowblower in different widths and applications so parts shouldn't be an issue. Reading through the specs it appears that it has shear pins to save the gearbox which is a plus. It also seems to be slightly lighter in weight.

 

 

Edited September 17, 2016 by shallowwatersailor

[MalMac 1,331]

Lighter in weight would most a very welcome thing and shear pins a plus. I had a Wheel Horse 2 Stage on mine and sold it and got a single high chute. I just did not like that big boat anchor, but that's just me. I know nothing about the Bercomac but I think it deserves some investigation.

[DennisThornton 4,769]

2-3 years back I was looking at a Bercomac on a 200 series and did quite a bit of research to come back with the notion they were a great blowers.  No first hand experience, just research.

[Forest Road 594]

I rebuilt a WH 2 stage. Complete tear down, sandblasting, primer and paint. New bushings at end of auger, new gear box seals, replaced the rear main bearing too. My $.02 they're very large blowers built with substandard components. The bushings are the same on a 521 walk behind. The gear case is cast aluminum and needs a refill every fall. 

 

It throws snow 30 - 40' but I wonder how long a lifespan I'll get from her. You can't go wrong w a tall single. Have one of those also and it blows through the small stuff. Doesn't do so well on the harder snow banks I often need to move. 

 

In closing I'd look at a Berco in a heart beat! You looking to move snow.... Just git er dun!!! 

[JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,497]

Ok, update time re bercomac / berco  for a wheelhorse. I spoke to a dealer who has been in business since 1992. Seems the kits which allow a Bercomac to be hooked to a wheelhorse are no longer available. Sorry. Now, what IS AVAILABLE for a wheelhorse, and you can remove and mount it to ANY TRACTOR is a atv kit, it comes with its own engine, hydraulics for the chute, electric start, in other words a independent unit. But the price is 3600 dollars plus shipping.

 

I did get lucky in another respect though, it seems when he checked his stock, he had ONLY ONE LEFT, a Bercomac 2 stage and the last mounting kit which would allow it to be mounted on my 2002 Ingersoll 4018. Oh lucky me, not. It costs 2600 hundred dollars , PLUS shipping. 

 

I guess we can close this thread now. A good idea, shot to crap. But at least we tried.

 

Glenn

Edited September 19, 2016 by JERSEYHAWG / Glenn

[Forest Road 594]

Not to rub salt in the wound BUT..... The WH 2 stage was $3k and then some back in the day. Be patient and one will literally fall in your lap.

 

Or you could just buy out all of my stock and I'll put it towards a Kubota B series

[WVHillbilly520H 10,373]

Don't let that price make you feel bad the front mounted snow blower for the used Kioti I paid $6500 is $5400 new yeah that ain't happening, and you might try "jimsrepair.com" says he still sells the berco and mounting kits for "lots" of brands of L&G tractors ,Jeff.

[DennisThornton 4,769]

15 minutes ago, WVHillbilly520H said:

Don't let that price make you feel bad the front mounted snow blower for the used Kioti I paid $6500 is $5400 new yeah that ain't happening, and you might try "jimsrepair.com" says he still sells the berco and mounting kits for "lots" of brands of L&G tractors ,Jeff.

Jim seemed quite knowledgeable when I spoke to him 2-3 years ago.

[JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,497]

1 hour ago, WVHillbilly520H said:

Don't let that price make you feel bad the front mounted snow blower for the used Kioti I paid $6500 is $5400 new yeah that ain't happening, and you might try "jimsrepair.com" says he still sells the berco and mounting kits for "lots" of brands of L&G tractors ,Jeff.

Thats who I talked to Saturday. Jim himself, for an hour. Things I stated in my post are from his mouth. I guess berco, ( used units), for wheelhorse is still an option.

 

Glenn

Edited September 19, 2016 by JERSEYHAWG / Glenn

[WVHillbilly520H 10,373]

Glenn sorry I couldn't help there, but I have both the 42" single tall chute and the 44" 2stage for the 520H and they both throw snow about the distance but the where the 2stage shines it doesn't "clog" in slush/plow banks, yes it's heavy and a PITA to install, I bought mine last year for $250 but had to rebuild it as the PO ran "something" through the impeller and I changed the the end bronze bushings to greasable collar bearings like the single and as far as the gearbox it's the same one in the tillers but the factory seal/Orings don't seal, but I found a better non factory flat industrial Oring that seams to have fixed that problem plus I installed the rubber impeller scrapers, and I'm on a paved driveway but I don't think I would use it on gravel/dirt as I did the single stage, anyways the short version either one will work very well, and yes Xi attachments are hard to come by,Jeff.

[MIKE KLECKNER 1]

a fix for the leaky gear boxes is replace the gear oil with john deere corn head grease.it is a runny grease that is similar to cv shaft grease in a car axle. it has also been used on 4x4 truck swivel housings that were prone to leaking gear oil rapidly. I personaly describe it as being somewhere between gear oil and axle bearing grease in consistency.

[WVHillbilly520H 10,373]

That might be a good option in the rear mounted tiller since every spring it needs refilled before using, but I do believe I have the snow blower "cured" for now with the industrial flat O rings I found,Jeff.

[wallfish 16,983]

I use Lubriplate 105 engine assembly grease in snow blower gear cases. Easily found at auto parts stores around here. The tube it comes in makes it easy to fill the cases. Same idea as Mike stated above, thicker than oil but thinner than grease.

https://www.lubriplate.com/Products/Automotive-Lubricants-Motor-Oils/Lubriplate-No-105-Motor-Assembly-Grease.html