davesl708
Elite Member
I use a ballast box so I can remove the weight when mowing or other non-FEL work. I don't need the extra weight when using the roto-tiller or tank sprayer.
Are the BX tractors top heavy and tippy?
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I use a ballast box so I can remove the weight when mowing or other non-FEL work. I don't need the extra weight when using the roto-tiller or tank sprayer.
The bare BX-style tractor is one of the more stable compact tractors owing to the small tires keeping the weight close to the ground. A "B" sized machine is a bit wider - helps stability - but that's offset by the larger tires and higher ground clearance.
Anything you add in the center or rear that's low to the ground (mower deck, liquid in tires, wheel weights), helps. Anything you add that's high up and/or toward the front (notably a loader with a filled bucket that's raised), makes it more tippy. Adding weight at the front makes it more tippy because it shifts more of the overall weight to the front axle that pivots side-to-side. Wheel spacers help, but getting the weights right also makes a huge difference.
Anything you add in the center or rear that's low to the ground (mower deck, liquid in tires, wheel weights), helps. Anything you add that's high up and/or toward the front (notably a loader with a filled bucket that's raised), makes it more tippy. Adding weight at the front makes it more tippy because it shifts more of the overall weight to the front axle that pivots side-to-side. Wheel spacers help, but getting the weights right also makes a huge difference.
AStanton
Platinum Member
KYKub
Silver Member
I have a yard (1 acre) that's pretty steep in spots. When I started using the BX 1860 late this summer I definitely felt it was more tippy than my G1900 Kubota mower. As others have said, having the FEL on makes a world of difference and spacers, loaded tires, wheel weights, etc. can be effective in mitigating the tippy effect.
I think it's also important to "know" your machine. I parked my BX sideways on the steepest part of my lawn, got off and tried to lift the machine as if I were trying to roll it down the hill. I couldn't budge it! Even though it "felt" tippy, it was actually quite stable.
I'll still keep things low and go slow until my pucker meter is calibrated, but it was surprising to me that the machine is more stable than it felt.
I think it's also important to "know" your machine. I parked my BX sideways on the steepest part of my lawn, got off and tried to lift the machine as if I were trying to roll it down the hill. I couldn't budge it! Even though it "felt" tippy, it was actually quite stable.
I'll still keep things low and go slow until my pucker meter is calibrated, but it was surprising to me that the machine is more stable than it felt.