BX1880 - not enough power to run mower

[radios1]

Why would I would think of it? Because if the gearbox on the mower deck is geared properly, the blade tip speed is fast enough to cut properly at 7 mph. If your logic was correct, my ZD331 would not cut so perfectly at 10 mph. The JD X575 I had gave a fabulous cut at 7 mph, so I was hoping a Kubota BX would do this also.

7MPH is ok, but the engine is only 18 HP!. " the BX1880, a model that has a 18 gross HP, 3 cylinder engine with 13.7 PTO HP, 4 WD, lift capacity of 680 lbs, and a top forward speed of 7.8 MPH" my la145 has 23 HP and a 48" deck, and I don't mow at top speed, the ends of the grass get chopped up, that's not good for the grass.. also, mowing 3" at top speed would make the engine bog.. BTDT..

 

[TMGT]

7MPH is ok, but full speed on that tractor is what 15 MPH?..

Top speed is 7.8mph so not unrealistic on flat ground

 

[SDT]

Why would I would think of it? Because if the gearbox on the mower deck is geared properly, the blade tip speed is fast enough to cut properly at 7 mph. If your logic was correct, my ZD331 would not cut so perfectly at 10 mph. The JD X575 I had gave a fabulous cut at 7 mph, so I was hoping a Kubota BX would do this also.

Unrealistic.

Your BX1880 is not a dedicated mowing machine, but rather, a muilti purpose utility machine.

18 engine HP is simply not enough power to do what you hope to do even if the suspended deck with marginal grass clearance would cut properly in such conditions, which it will not. Ignoring HP, other factors besides tip speed are involved.

SDT

 

[SDT]

Top speed is 7.8mph so not unrealistic on flat ground

Perhaps not in ideal conditions but unrealistic in many/most conditions.

SDT

 

[TMGT]

Perhaps not in ideal conditions but unrealistic in many/most conditions.

SDT

I was going off his description of flat land and only cutting 1/2" off the grass. It should be able to handle that on a regular lawn, not saying I would necessarily mow that fast, but it should be able to.

It sounds like something is causing a loss of power or is increasing the load more then it should be for what he's describing.

 

[SDT]

I was going off his description of flat land and only cutting 1/2" off the grass. It should be able to handle that on a regular lawn, not saying I would necessarily mow that fast, but it should be able to.

It sounds like something is causing a loss of power or is increasing the load more then it should be for what he's describing.

Don't think so.

Expectations are unrealistic.

SDT

 

[Rebeldad1]

cant imagine doing anything full speed in high range. mowing especially.

 

[rick480]

cant imagine doing anything full speed in high range. mowing especially.

Exactly!

 

[RickB]

The ZD has 72% more hp than the BX and the Deere has 27% more.
You should have bought a BX2680 instead of the smallest BX available.

 

[TMGT]

Don't think so.

Expectations are unrealistic.

SDT

I use a BX1500 with 48" mower, it can run in High range on level ground, seems the 18hp with 54" deck should be similar. That said I have hills so usually in Low range, the BX doesn't have a lot of spread on the 2 ranges.

Might be in the technique, but it sounds like the OP is familiar with hydrostatics.

 

[SDT]

Bring her down and we'll give her a try.

SDT

 

[George the Beagle]

Right now we have BX's in 18, 23, and 26 hp. If the 18 hp were discontinued and a 29 hp were added, everyone would be saying the 23 wasn't enough. Your 18 is just fine.

 

[IH3444]

Kubota D722-E4B Specifications & Technical Data (217-22) | LECTURA Specs

Kawasaki FD671D (745 cc, 2.5 HP) water-cooling engine: review and specs

Torque:
Kaw: 36.9 ft pounds
Kub: 33.8 ft pounds

Fill mower gear box with high quality full synthetic gear lube.
Grease mower deck spindle with high quality full synthetic number 2 grease.
Make sure deck blades are sharp.
Add a bit of Power Service diesel treatment to boost cetane rating slightly.

or trade BX1880 for the BX2680.

Kubota should have leveled the stats with 3 cylinders, and a flatter torque curve, plus power stroke is 120 degrees, verse 90 degrees for the gasoline engine Kawasaki. But sounds like it falls a little short.

 

[diesel85]

I run a 62" Flail mower on my BX2200 and it's only 4 more HP than that BX1880. Lifts it and turns it just fine.

I can mow about 2' field grass/weeds with it, and it only slightly bogs down. It actually sounds like it's working -- which is a good thing.

However, I take my time and mow at a reasonable speed for a good cut.

If I'm using the flail mower, depending on what I'm mowing and the terrain (or hidden obstacles like rocks or stumps), 2-4 MPH.

With the MMM, can vary from 2-5 MPH.

Not much difference and eventually the job gets done.

Going too fast mowing doesn't do a great job, even with those zippy zero turns.

The slower you go, there's more time for lift applied to the grass allowing it all to get cut evenly versus getting matted down or simply missed all together.

When I was younger, I used to do lawn care and one of the tricks to gain extra cash was to go as fast as we could, not only to get to the next job but -- the customer would need their lawn mowed almost twice as much.

 

[rick480]

Going too fast mowing doesn't do a great job, even with those zippy zero turns.

That痴 the key right there. No matter what equipment you are using!

 

[dodge man]

I had a BX2350 with a 60” deck. I can not image trying to mow on high range flat out. On my lawn it would beat you to death. That said unless I was cutting thick grass it woukd not bog down. I woukd say something is causing a loss on power.

 

[kthompson]

I have a Kubota B2710, 27 hp, and a 62 inch rear finishing mower. It would not do any better in high range than you are. Mine has three ranges and I mow in mid range. Not sure yours has three or two ranges. But 27 hp for 62 inches is more hp per inch of cut than your 18 for your deck.

It would not hurt to check and be sure your blade were not installed upside down. It happens.

I just reread my post and have a mistake in it..my rear finishing mower is 72 inches and not 62. Sorry. Even reading every post since mine still think you need to slow the travel speed and see how it handles.

 

[powersrp]

As stated in many replies here, and also most kubota owners manuals, high range is for transporting only, mid range and low range for mowing, snowblowing, low range for ground engaging implements, nothing wrong with the tractor, slow down, enjoy the ride, the ME /// tractor tiime.

 

[dodge man]

For the record a BX has only two ranges, low and high.

 

[atitus74]

BX 1880 owner here. I've accidentally started mowing in high range before. RPM will drop while it accelerates for sure but once the deck is up to speed and the tractor is up to speed the RPM will hold. If you are making a lot of turns and constantly stopping and starting then you bought the wrong piece of equipment. That is what the ZT is made specifically to do. The ZT doesn't have a 3 point or a loader either, and a drastically smaller wheelbase. I mow in low range, with the RPMs in the designated "PTO" area on the tach and I have no problems. You may not go that fast in open areas but you'll get better results and it will be a lot less frustrating while doing it.