New BX1870 - Some observations and questions

[tjkubota93]

Just obtained a new BX1870. Put 1.5 hours on it today tinkering around. This will primarily be my mower, but got the loader w/ it as well. While operating the machine I noticed at RPM's below 2500, when the steering is at full turn I get a shuddering/vibration that is basically felt throughout the tractor. This is not evident at higher rpms. Since the machine has hydrostatic steering I'm wondering if the shuddering I'm feeling at full turn is lack of hydro fluid entering the steering system? Hydro fluid checked ok.

He said it checked ok, but it was a short blurb buried in a pretty long post.

 

[tjkubota93]

Man, thats quick! You posted while I was quoting your post.
I think it has a range, so you would want to be lower when cold.

 

[bp fick]

I never had a shuddering vibration when turning issues with any of my Kubotas. Can't address that issue. But I will say again that my BX's always required a bit more RPM when doing materials handling or snow bucketing than my B tractor. Just the nature of the hydraulic power generated. For sure, on all these Kubotas, B or BX you've got to check for the 3 pt lever having been moved or other hydraulic system tapping away energy.

That said, the OP mentioned "Above 2500 rpm" and I agree is a sweet spot for power. What I do not believe necessary is WOT nor anything close to WOT which I consider 3000 or above. That certainly has never been necessary for me.

In the end, the machine is under warranty. That's the good thing.

 

[General Lee]

I've had Kubotas for a few years now and the "3 point lever in neutral" is confusing me. For instance, on my L its either all the way up or down or somewhere in between depending on my task. It doesn't have a neutral. Its a position control valve.

The BX has 1/4 inching valve. Are you guys saying it can sometimes get "stuck" in the up position? and not automatically return where its supposed to?

 

[bp fick]

I've had Kubotas for a few years now and the "3 point lever in neutral" is confusing me. For instance, on my L its either all the way up or down or somewhere in between depending on my task. It doesn't have a neutral. Its a position control valve.

The BX has 1/4 inching valve. Are you guys saying it can sometimes get "stuck" in the up position? and not automatically return where its supposed to?

I don't have an MMM but I do know that this is an issue for the BX guys. I don't have a 3 pt problems with the BX either, but with my B2320, I had two operator error issues. No matter how cognizant I was, I constantly hit the 3 pt lever and stuck it in the up or down position, causing the FEL to not be powered. When you're running a rear blade and using the FEL together in a snow fighting situation, I had this a couple times an hour. Got used to it and half expected it.

The second thing I did constantly on the B was hit the joystick with my knee when I was turning around looking at the rear blade. I'd hear this metallic dragging noise and dang! I'd done it again. I'd levered the FEL down with my knee. Easy to do when you wearing your big, thick Carhart bibs and such. PITA.

So, yes, stuff happens when you're running these machines. We're the weakest link, I suppose.

 

[rbarker]

Are you guys saying it can sometimes get "stuck" in the up position? and not automatically return where its supposed to?

Yep, that's what I was saying.

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

 

[DIXIEDOG]

On the BX1860 I tend to have to keep the rpms up as well....under 2700 and I can't do much with the loader at all. The biggest concern I have with the BX1860 is how tippy it is...there have been multiple 2 wheel moments when moving a bucket of snow or gravel. I have wheel weights and a weight box on the rear hitch but it's still way too tippy for my liking.


Initially the metal hydraulic line that hooks into the rear distribution block cracked several times....luckily although it sat at the dealer more than at home during the first year by the time the warranty ran out it was finally fixed. Bumpy steering doesn't sound normal and I would get that checked out quickly, sometimes the dealer needs more than one shot at repairing the problem and the warranty on these isn't very long.

 

[General Lee]

Re: New BX1870 - Some observations and questions: UPDATE

UPDATE Got something I can check reference the vibration. I was skimming through the manual and found "Adjusting the front axle pivot". Manual states if adjustment is not correct, front wheel vibration can occur and causing vibration in the steering wheel. This sounds like my symptoms. Couldn't get the cotter pin out of the adjustment nut with the mower deck on (tight quarters) so tomorrow I'm gonna try adjusting it. Says to adjust to 15 ft lbs.

Says to check adjustment at 400 hours, but I'm hoping it wasn't set right from the factory.

Anyone know why the "Front axle pivot" is important?

 

[shadowshack]

My FEL works well at lower RPMs. but I do have to kick it up to 2800 or more for serious work. I've had the shudder in the front steering and always felt it was due to using the loader at the same time (raising as I backed away from my work area). It's never done it otherwise. Suprisingly, my Kubota dealer insited the problem I was haviing with my BX25 faltering, then shutting down, wasn't a fuel delivery problem, as I suspected. Rther, it was the parking brake that never fully disengaged. I argued with them about it a bit, not seeing how a parking brake would prevent me from starting it back up, but they fixed it and my BX25 hs never felt so powerful as it has since.

 

[General Lee]

My FEL works well at lower RPMs. but I do have to kick it up to 2800 or more for serious work. I've had the shudder in the front steering and always felt it was due to using the loader at the same time (raising as I backed away from my work area). It's never done it otherwise. Suprisingly, my Kubota dealer insited the problem I was haviing with my BX25 faltering, then shutting down, wasn't a fuel delivery problem, as I suspected. Rther, it was the parking brake that never fully disengaged. I argued with them about it a bit, not seeing how a parking brake would prevent me from starting it back up, but they fixed it and my BX25 hs never felt so powerful as it has since.

I wondered if my brake may not be fully disengaging. Any idea how to check it?

Also while using it yesterday, My problem seemed to be more evident when the machine was well warmed up.

 

[General Lee]

Its a no go on the Front Axle Pivot Adjustment. The nut was nice and tight from the get go. On top of that it was aggravating removing and installing the mower deck.

 

[shadowshack]

I wondered if my brake may not be fully disengaging. Any idea how to check it?

Also while using it yesterday, My problem seemed to be more evident when the machine was well warmed up.

I don't know how to check the parking brake. I sure wish i knew that was the problem and how to fix it: My BX25 would have come in very handy this past snowy winter. Good luck tracking down the problem.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I suspect the seat safety switch on the almost stopping and restarting. I had a BX2350 and it was the worst but occasionally the BX25 would also seem a bit sensitive. I'd have to pay real good attention on the BX2350 when going down hill and my wife couldn't hardly drive it (lot less weight than me) because the seat safety switch kept cutting it off unless I leaned back or pushed myself back into the seat. My front hill is fairly steep and that's where the problem occurred the most. Being a car guy mostly I had/have a bit of problem with doing the wide open or almost wide open running but it sure makes a difference when getting into read work demands on the BXs and some what on the Bs and the Grand L I owned had the HST+ which did it's own thing.
Going from the L to your BX will probably always make you notice "problems" until you acclimate to the extreme differences. Changing machines on a somewhat regular basis has caused me to notice "problems" between different machines which are really mostly differences than problems. I also mostly stayed in turtle instead of rabbit when doing any "real" work or driving up a steep hill.
Kubota Engineers talked with me last year about the B going to a 2 speed HST instead of the 3 speed and I expressed my very negative opinion concerning that change even though I run my Bs in M almost all of the time until I get to really serious work or steep areas.
Drive your BX for 6 months without driving your L and you'll see lots of problems going away and then when you go back to the L you'll want to take it to the repair shop or smile all over because your "Back" on a real tractor. :laughing:

 

[General Lee]

John - Your analogies are spot on I've thought to myself, "I'm used to my L and just not used to the feel and sounds of the BX yet".

I'll keep an eye on the safety switch. I just feel I haven't had the BX in a position where my big arse wasn't centered on the seat. In fact, I haven't been able to reproduce the nearly stalling I first mentioned. I'm more concerned about the vibration I "sometimes" feel.

The other day after it was well warmed up I could really feel vibration in the motor/steering when sitting stationary and the with the wheels turned. Turn the wheels straight, problem goes away. Just weird, hard to explain. And as far as I can tell, its when the wheels are turned, either moving or stationary.

Also, I've read where older model BX owners complained the motor idles rough and most just bump the rpm's up a bit to smooth it out. I've noticed on mine (1870) for the most part idles smooth But when really warmed up I get intermittent rough idle and have to bump up the rpms. I don't care about this, as it seems normal for the tractors, it seems to go hand in hand with the steering vibration and such.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

John - Your analogies are spot on I've thought to myself, "I'm used to my L and just not used to the feel and sounds of the BX yet".

I'll keep an eye on the safety switch. I just feel I haven't had the BX in a position where my big arse wasn't centered on the seat. In fact, I haven't been able to reproduce the nearly stalling I first mentioned. I'm more concerned about the vibration I "sometimes" feel.

The other day after it was well warmed up I could really feel vibration in the motor/steering when sitting stationary and the with the wheels turned. Turn the wheels straight, problem goes away. Just weird, hard to explain. And as far as I can tell, its when the wheels are turned, either moving or stationary.

Also, I've read where older model BX owners complained the motor idles rough and most just bump the rpm's up a bit to smooth it out. I've noticed on mine (1870) for the most part idles smooth But when really warmed up I get intermittent rough idle and have to bump up the rpms. I don't care about this, as it seems normal for the tractors, it seems to go hand in hand with the steering vibration and such.

I traded a BX25 to a B2620 FEL BH. The B2620 seemed to
"vibrate" and had me concerned. I even went to Barlows and ran one of their new B2620s to compare mine to theirs and it seemed to be about the same as mine. I think my B2620 runs the same now as it did when I got it but the farther away I get from the BX25 the more "normal" my B seems. I've owned a B7800, B3200 and B2320 and several BXs and all seem a bit different when I switch from one to the other and they are different. I had a BX1500 that I thought was going to shake itself to pieces every time I reduce throttle and turned it off but keeping the idle up and turning it off solved the "problem" and some of the other BXs done that also but not as bad as the BX1500, especially noticeable after coming from a BX2200 and owning a B7800 FEL at the same time as the BX1500 MMM.
Owned a B3200 and BX2660 at the same time and going from one to the other had me hearing, feeling, noticing "issues" between them almost all the time for the first 5 to 10 minutes then the "issues" would disappear. Go drive some more BXs of your model if you can and see if they act/feel different than yours.

 

[diesel dave 04]

Just wondering where does other BX1870's Idle at Mine is like 1500 RPM low idle is that where you guys idle at? Mine is smooth but that may be cause it idles on the high side.

 

[PeterK]

My BX idles around 1450 rpm (as low as it goes with the lever pulled up) so you're good.

 

[Mowbizz]

I have felt the shuddering on my new BX25D when turning my steering wheel too far while moving (to the stops, if there is such a thing on hydro steering. I do know the wheels must have physical, stops). I baby my machines and this was a concern for me as well. Don't recall my BX24 ever doing the same. This happened when moving snow and being on softening snow/slush/ice so I thought my tires may have been "chugging" while trying to grip the slippery surfaces. I will pay attention to this and mention it to my dealer if it seems to be a concern. I have been operating at the recommended, 2750 rpm's while still under 50 hours.

 

[General Lee]

I have been operating at the recommended, 2750 rpm's while still under 50 hours.

Where did you find this magic number? All I've seen in my manual is "do not operate at full speed for the first 50 hours"

Also just curious, where do other bx18XX rpm's top out at? Mine seems to be around 3400

 

[CHDinCT]

On the steering shutter with the front wheels turned, are you guys running in FWD? I know that I can feel resistance when turning on dry dirt or grass if turning in FWD. That is just normal 4x4 operation at play. Just want to make sure that's not what you're experiencing.