Any way to make the BX2360 a better digger?

[newdeal]

I have a BX2360. When I try to dig anything with it I feel as though there isn't enough weight to provide adequate traction. I have a box scraper on the back for ballast and the front of the tractor lifts easily without really doing much digging in to the hard clay around here. I figure adding weight would help, however I use the tractor for mowing a couple acres of grass also and I don't want to leave a ton of ruts (I have the R4 tires unfilled). Seems like my options would be
1) get Ag tires to aid traction
2) add weight to the wheels
3) get a tooth bar to help ground penetration
4) more rear ballast?

I have a ballast box for the rear also that I don't use because I dont know what to put in it. Would a heavier rear ballast help? I want to do something inexpensive as I am still trying to pay off the tractor. Did I just buy too small a machine to dig very well?

 

[johnrex62]

I am guessing you may have high expectations for the capabilities of a tractor FEL with regards to digging. They are not as capable as a bulldozer or skidsteer due to the tractors lower weight and the FEL arm configuration. Trying to take a deep cut will lift the front end and spin your wheels.

I get mixed responses with regard to the toothbar. Some swear by it and others laugh when I ask how much it helps. I think it must help, but I don't know how much difference it makes for digging holes. I have not sprung for one yet, and have not done a lot of digging either. My feeble attempts have shown me that it is good for dealing with loose material or pushing piles, but not so great for digging a trench. I guess that is why they sell backhoes.

My approach would be to use the boxblade scarifiers to rip up the ground and the FEL to lift loose dirt. The boxblade can move a lot more dirt at a time than the FEL, but cannot pile it as well.

 

[johnrex62]

1) get Ag tires to aid traction
2) add weight to the wheels
3) get a tooth bar to help ground penetration
4) more rear ballast?

I have a ballast box for the rear also that I don't use because I dont know what to put in it. Would a heavier rear ballast help? I want to do something inexpensive as I am still trying to pay off the tractor. Did I just buy too small a machine to dig very well?

The problem with putting weight on the machine is that the FEL lifts the front axle. Weight on the rear just makes that easier. Putting weight on the front puts too much strain on the smaller front axle.

 

[TripleR]

With some types of ground, there is very little you can do take make a BX dig well. Trust me as I have tried about everything. My recommendation would be the same as johnrex62. The only thing that worked reasonable well on my BX2660 was to use a tiller to loosen the ground then pick it up with the FEL.

Our big tractors have trouble digging in our soil too.

 

[tsteahr]

Add a woods backhoe and you can dig without issue.

 

[LBrown59]

The only thing that worked reasonable well on my BX2660 was to use a tiller to loosen the ground then pick it up with the FEL.

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I use this combination of a Back Hoe and a Tiller.

 

[jb62901]

You may want to use a subsoiler or middlebuster to break up the ground.

 

[Verticaltrx]

1) get Ag tires to aid traction
2) add weight to the wheels
3) get a tooth bar to help ground penetration
4) more rear ballast?

If you want it to dig you need all four options, then some tractors still aren't very good for digging. A lot of it comes down to the operator though, there is a technique to digging with a loader, you don't just plunge the bucket in the ground and try to pry the soil out. Slow and steady peeling off a little at a time is the way to get it done.

 

[Grandad4]

Considering the BX is an itty-bitty tractor to begin with, we've had decent results with:
Bar tires
Liquid in the tires
400 lb box blade in back
240 lb operator (me)
Toothbar
It's never going to dig like a larger machine, and it will struggle with roots and big rocks, but you can definitely get useful work done with it. Yes, the toothbar does make a noticeable difference; wouldn't be without it. If you are digging hard packed material (for example, unbroken soil, packed dirt road, etc.), it helps to loosen things with an implement - we use the rippers on the box blade, but a tiller, middle buster, or other attachment would also work. Also, there is some technique involved, so success improves with practice.

 

[roma3112]

I would not be without my tooth bar, hands down the tooth bar and the bro-tech thumb were the best things I have purchased for my bx24. I have moved hundreds of yards of fill with my bx24 and the tooth-bar with filled rears makes a huge difference. But in the harder packed soils you have to be patient and go slow.