Installation of BXpanded skid plate on BX25

[mccash40]

The plate went onto my 2360 just like the pictures, except that little wing on the rear of the plate hit on the frame and prevented the mower lift from locking in the top position. I had to bend it a bit to get it to slide up all the way. Thanks for the tutorial. I'm visually oriented for sure and any pictures help a great deal.

 

[Shett]

Thanks for the welcome all! I'm glad this is helpful to some folks, it's a fairly simple installation but this was my first real tractor so it probably took me a little longer than most to figure out where all the parts/controls were. It would be nice if they had something to better protect the fan from the factory but this option is fairly inexpensive and easy to install so it works out alright. For anyone with a BX I would recommend it.

 

[radioman]

nice write up and welcome to TBN

 

[Danner]

Great report.

I've got that skid on my BX2660. It's a good unit all the way around. Easy-on and easy-off are a big plus. I use it when I bushhog.

 

[unbidden]

Thank you for this as I'll be installing the same plate in the next several weeks.

 

[PeterK]

The plate went onto my 2360 just like the pictures, except that little wing on the rear of the plate hit on the frame and prevented the mower lift from locking in the top position. I had to bend it a bit to get it to slide up all the way. Thanks for the tutorial. I'm visually oriented for sure and any pictures help a great deal.

Had the same interference but instead of bending that tab, all I had to do was adjust the locking height at the left rear of the BX. Mine was set too high and before the adjustment, my MMM would clang about in TOP position. Now all is good and the plate cinches up nice and tight.

 

[gmikem206]

Shett, I am new to the SC Tractor world and have been trying to decide which skid plates would work best for my BX2660 (mean time being very careful where I drive). This post with the pictures was very helpful in seeing just what protection this skid plate provides. The ease of taking the plate off and on is great. And thanks to all for the posts on your installation issues and explanations. I'll be ordering soon! Then I will be able to work on my hedge row area and small over grown field with a lot more peace of mind. You didn't mention which brand of beer works best though, so guess I just have to experiment a bit with that step! :drink:
Thanks for the post!

PS: You did not mention if you can leave the factory mounted skid protector in place or does it have to be removed?

 

[gmikem206]

Whoops, I see in the picture now, going back to it that the factory skid plate protector is left in place. So that is also a convenience.

 

[Shett]

Glad this info was helpful for you, it really does add a lot of peace of mind for me. I just did the 50-hour service on my tractor so I had a chance to get underneath and check it out after doing a lot of field clearing of mesquite and desert brooms. There was a little bit of dirt/dust on the top of the skid plate (read - between the skid plate and the tractor) but overall it was in great shape. With as many sticks and such as I've run over out here I'm pretty happy with the decision to get the plate. I would recommend this skid plate to anyone who has a BX, but I don't use a MMM so you might have to keep that in mind.

 

[gmikem206]

I have the MMM but I think I can schedule my work so that I would be in the rough terrain when the MMM is off and the Under Armor on, and it would stay on for the winter plowing. I have not read here on TBN how to change the hydo filter with the Bro-Tek plate on. If the plate has to come off to do rear maintenance or any other service or cleaning it looks inconvenient to take off. Though maybe that type of activity is done so infrequently most would not consider it a big deal. My one time mounting the MMM after servicing it & checking the blades (I only got my used 2660 in August) I found it cumbersome trying to reattach the drive shaft to the Mid-PTO, so more restriction there is not attractive to me. Anyway, I think the convenience of putting the skid plate on and off so quickly, and the fact that the factory plate and the MMM seems to provide adequate protection operating outside of woody, brushy areas makes me lean to the BXpanded for my purposes. I really only gave it the second look today because I found your post. If Bro-Tek users could chip in with comments on mounting and dismounting that unit I would appreciate it as well. (May have to start a new thread though?) Thanks again and, Be well.