Loader BX25 - can I use the bucket without backhoe fitted

[Madz]

Quick question, I have a BX25 which spends most of its time as a mower without the loader and backhoe attached and with a MMM deck on. If I want to do some grading or very light work with the bucket do I need to go to the trouble of fitting the backhoe?? (as a counter weight)? I know obviously I won't be able to lift significant weight safely without it, but I'm talking more about what's safe for the machine I don't want to put strain on the chassis etc ... ??

 

[MossRoad]

I wouldn't think you'd stress the machine doing loader work without a backhoe on. You would, however, increase the chance of losing traction on your rear tires, and maybe some tipping tendencies. Have you thought about getting a weight box or box blade with weights to pop on the rear for added weight?

 

[Brotherdan]

You should be ok as far as the tractor goes. I've taken 500# of pellets with my mf gc1710 with no ill effects. Be careful to not lift too high with a heavy load.

 

[jeff9366]

YES.

Strain on the chassis is not the issue.

FEL work puts a heavy load on spindly front axle and front axle bearings.

Three Point Hitch mounted counterbalance reduces front end stress.

If you will not mount counterbalance keep the bucket loads at 1/3rd and be aware the BX with FEL load will be uncharacteristically tippy both front-to-rear and side-to-side. Keep the bucket LOW to maintain low center-of-gravity.

 

[MossRoad]

Has anyone on TBN had front axle damage on a BX tractor that can be proven to be caused by using the FEL without a counter weight?

 

[Tractor Seabee]

I run mine all the time w/o the BH. I fabbed an attachment for the 3 point QH to hold 500# of suitcase weights. Add subtract weight in 50# increments to match the FEL loading.

Ron

 

[boggen]

understand the issues of having and not having counter balance on the rear of tractor make it wheel weights, to liquid filled rear tires, to 3pt hitch (something attached) for weight.
((some machines manufactures state (depends on model numbers), that filled tires are ok, or not ok. double check manual, and it may depend on ok on back but not front wheels))

many tractors do not have backhoes but have FELs.

tractors with backhoes attached to them, generally require FEL's to be on both for counter balance on front, and also a stabilization platform. so you do not damage the front end wheel supports / axles when using backhoe.

air pressure of tires may need to be changed. "highest allowed pressure" tends to be least amount of traction on dirt. and a lower pressure in tires = more traction. but heavier weight, may require more air pressure in tires to keep tires on the rim. i bring this up. because i have done it a few times before. lowering air pressure in tires, and then doing FEL work and looking down and seeing what looks like flat, due to so much weight in the bucket. and then vice vs on rear tires. (forgot to put more back in tires) DOH!

the operators manual should cover FEL counter weight balance, and tire pressures pending on weight and use.

shop manual = covers tearing stuff apart and putting it back together and diagnostic stuff.
parts manual = simpler part diagrams than shop manual, and shows parts only
operators manual = check fluids, were to grease stuff, safety issues, maintenance schedules, what lever / button does what. and overall general use of tractor.

 

[Fallon]

Has anyone on TBN had front axle damage on a BX tractor that can be proven to be caused by using the FEL without a counter weight?

That is one of the more common failures on all Kubotas. Bevel gear, bearing & seal problems have a good number of threads if you look.

If you ever lift to much without proper ballast your back tires will come off the ground. As your front axle is a pivot, not only will you tip forward, it's highly likely you will roll sideways as well.

Proper 3pt ballast is always required when using the loader. Loaded tires increase rear traction & keeps the back end on the ground, but does nothing to help the front axle. Weight on the 3pt acts like a teter toter & pulls weight off your expensive complex weak front axle & puts it on the simple & strong rear axle.

I once made the mistake of trying to move a 100-200lbs gate on my pallet forks with my L3200 (a noticably bigger machine too). It was in 2wd (forgot) & I was to lazy to put on an impliment because it was only a light gate. The grass going downhill to my barn ended up with skid marks as did my seat when my rear tires didn't have enogh traction to do anything. My barn now has a pair of pallet fork sized holes in the back too. ALWAYS use proper 3pt ballast when using the loader (and keep it in 4wd).

 

[Tractor Seabee]

The BX 25 rear tires do not hold enough ballast to make it worthwhile doing. Fronts; forget it. That is why I like the suitcase weights; I can use them either place in the increments to match loads. Also I can slide them to either side to help stability on side slopes, like I do with the BH. I can add 200# to the BH bucket that way also. Amen to Fallon, good info. When I bought mine the dealer salesman showed me a lot of these nuances of the BXs as he owned one himself. As the tubeless tires start having flats I just tube them and get it over with. Slime, ever change tubeless tire that has had slime in it you won't use it again. My tire shop charges extra to mess with tires holding slime for a reason.

Ron

 

[tractorgp]

Five or six years ago i didn't bother to install the rear snow blower on the BX - BIG mistake, although I didn't have any major accidents the tractor was very unstable when moving with a loaded bucket. Of course OP doesn't to worry about snow in Australia but same kind of consideration except here we also have to deal with the slippery ground.

 

[jeff9366]

The BX 25 rear tires do not hold enough ballast to make it worthwhile doing.

Bolt on rear wheel weights are available and probably the better way to weight BX rear wheels. Not cheap.

 

[Egon]

Has anyone on TBN had front axle damage on a BX tractor that can be proven to be caused by using the FEL without a counter weight?

Right to the point Moss!
My Kubota B7100 probably spent two thousand hours doing loader work with no counter weight. No damage occured.

 

[MossRoad]

Right to the point Moss!
My Kubota B7100 probably spent two thousand hours doing loader work with no counter weight. No damage occured.

That's what I was thinking but someone says its common on the BX series and there's threads out there about them.

I didn't think the BX would have axle problems like that, as the loader capacity is only a bit over 700# at the pivot pin and only 500# towards the front of the bucket.

Interesting information.

 

[Code54]

I use the front bucket a fair amount without the backhoe on. Mostly moving soil, gravel and mulch/compost. I don't get a full scoop of gravel/dirt to be on the safe side but if you pay attention and take your time you should not have any problems.

 

[bspeedy]

I don't think the BX has the lift power to hurt itself when operated sensibly. Go for it.

I've never seen these threads of bevel gear failure and the like.

 

[Madz]

Interesting stuff. So for the kubotas bx's that come with the loader but not the backhoe, are they supplied with a 3pt counter weight? I'd imagine they'd have the same front axle design?

 

[radioman]

ask yourself - why do they supply the 4 digit bx series with FEL? do they suffer issues without the BH? same goes with 2 digit BX. it makes NO difference with BH on or off other then its nice to have BH for counterweight if needed. If i am doing alot of FEL work with tight clearance - then BH is off. if I m doing a lot of transporting gravel esp going down a hill and then take a sharp left turn at bottom of hill like i did last summer for a customer the backhoe was nice for stability and traction.

it might just be me - but i seem to like doing grading work without the BH on. gives me a piece of mind of not how far back the BH is. FYI - my rears are loaded so it really helps a small tractor like mine.

 

[Gcorron]

My backhoe, for the most part, is only for holding the dolly down that it lives on! I rarely use it, and do not want an extra 4' of tail when I want to get close to something.
I've used the FEL for gravel, dirt, or firewood and have yet to damage anything by not having the backhoe on. I can see why it would be nice for stability in some instances, but it's more a nuisance if you don't need it.
As much as I love my BX-25, I do not worry about what happens if I pick up 2 or 3 tons, it just ain't gonna happen, and 4-500 pounds will not tip the machine, at least not mine.
Use your machine without the backhoe and enjoy!

George

 

[katoomed00]

A few years back we needed to transfer a few loads of wet concrete in a tight place to get to, so I removed the hoe, my wife was driving and everything was fine till she pass over a small incline in the yard and the tractor started to tip over on it's side, as she was bailing off she happen to hit the FEL handle and it set the load on the ground, boy was she shook up and refused to get back on, lol.

 

[dragoneggs]

To each his own... I love my Backhoe as a tool and as an adjustable counterbalance. My property has a lot of slope. Yes you can definitely use your bucket without rear weight but be very careful especially if you are used to that weight whether a BH, rake, or anything else usually hanging off the backend.