New BX2370-1: Great, but jarring ride

[tlj87]

Our new BX2370-1 was delivered Thursday and we have about 6 hrs on it between my wife and I since Friday Eve. We have both found the ride to be extremely rough - jarring. The rear turf tires have rim guard in them and I have decreased the pressure to about 10 lbs each. I also put some different springs under the seat but neither or these seemed to have made much of a difference.

Any suggestions? Our old JD 425 and the Cub LoBoy we traded weren't as rough.

Would the $350 (yikes) Michigan suspension seat from Northern Tool be worth it?

We really want to like this machine...

 

[Tractorrr]

This may be obvious but it helps to slow down. Maybe a box blade to smooth out rough spots. Not sure about alterations to the tractor though.

 

[tlj87]

We found that using high range was definitely worse as every bump caused a brief speed increase then decrease giving a sort of whiplash type effect. Low range and/or cruise control helped that aspect.

 

[Pepsiboy]

Our new BX2370-1 was delivered Thursday and we have about 6 hrs on it between my wife and I since Friday Eve. We have both found the ride to be extremely rough - jarring. The rear turf tires have rim guard in them and I have decreased the pressure to about 10 lbs each. I also put some different springs under the seat but neither or these seemed to have made much of a difference.

Any suggestions? Our old JD 425 and the Cub LoBoy we traded weren't as rough.

Would the $350 (yikes) Michigan suspension seat from Northern Tool be worth it?

We really want to like this machine...

I found that taking OFF the FEL when mowing helped a LOT. The extra weight up front seemed to cause a lot of bounce. I run 20 psi in ALL 4 tires. Have R4 tires front and rear for extra traction on my hills. Yes, it is a bit rough, but it still does a better job and is faster than anything else I have tried. If it is only rough while on gravel, try using box blade or back drag with bucket to smooth out.

Dave

 

[s219]

We found that using high range was definitely worse as every bump caused a brief speed increase then decrease giving a sort of whiplash type effect. Low range and/or cruise control helped that aspect.

I think you're going too fast. High range is only for transport on smooth roads. This is pretty universal among all tractors I have owned (and is probably mentioned in your user manual).

You should be operating in medium or low. For example, mowing is done in medium on Kubotas with a 3-range gearbox.

 

[kuboman]

You have small diameter tires that will ride rough. Other options are to go to bigger tractor with bigger tires.

 

[PeterK]

My neighbors yard is like that. Looks smooth but I curse everytime I mow it (BX24) for her as it throws me from side to side. Mine doesn't ratlle me at all so it might just be that you have ruts. My old JD 345 was much, much lighter overall and per contact patch area and the ride was smoother although it's a Chevy(JD) to Cadillac(Kubota) comparison in driveability. Do you mow with the loader on? That adds weight which can increase bounce and upset f-r balance. My ideal mowing speed is just faster than lo range. Loader off. BH off.

 

[jetercreek]

Slow down and put bigger tires on it? Really?

Yeah, taking off the FEL gives a different ride and I won't mow with it on the tractor
due to being in confined area and having the tendency to hit things! Have to have
it on to brush hog for counter wgt, though. Sure, one could go buy all the weights
for the front end, but in my terrain here in the Ozarks, helps to have the bucket to
pull you out of holes!

Now as for the rough ride: I found this thread while searching for a way to add seat
suspension to my B2920. Been mowing and using it since March of 2013. I mow
about 2.5 acres with the finish mower and spend another 2.5 days getting over the
pain. Even at slow speed, armadillo digs surprise me and cause extreme shock.
Even at 220 pounds, the coil springs under the B series seat are totally useless.

The BX probably has more things going on under the seat for backhoes and the like,
but somebody has surely found a way to incorporate better suspension and perhaps
shock absorbers. There is a thread here someplace about a $10 suspension seat
for the BX. Search that out. Won't work on the B so my seach continues.

I feel your pain, Brother!

Stinking 8N Ford had seat springs. I could see Kubota doing this to us if they had
an optional fix for many hundreds of dollars. Nothing from my dealer but the usual
dumb look!

I replaced an L3400 with the B so I could mow grass as the homestead gets more
landscaped. Love the tractor. Just need a better seat. It is amazing to me that I
can buy a $5K Gravely ZT that comes with a $500 seat on it. $20K Kubota and
I'm dying here!

Just needed to vent. Mowed yesterday....

J Creek

B2920 FEL
RCK-60 mower
Woods BB60 brushhog
1948 C Allis with sickle

(Any stiffness lasting over 4 hours should be treated in the shade with a pint of stout)

 

[Mowbizz]

My BX25D gives me a rough ride too...I have lowered the rear tires (filled with rimguard also) to soften the ride and it has helped...going to go to about 12 lbs per tire and stay there. My 270 lb weight doesn't help either as the seat is basically, bottomed out to begin with. I'm also 6 and a half feet tall so don't tell me to go on a diet...:laughing:

 

[jeff9366]

Most of your BX's suspension/shock absorption is the air in your tires.

Decrease the fluid. For the smoothest ride eliminate the fluid in your tires.

A longer wheelbase, wider stance, heavier, tractor with larger tires will certainly ride more comfortably.

Why filled Turf Tires on a BX?