BX 2200 FEL Operation Problems???

NY_Yankees_Fan · Mar 8, 2002

I just got a new BX 2200 with a FEL. I will primarily use the FEL for snow removal and for moving mulch occasionaly and other stuff I am sure. BUT when I tried the FEL on the driveway it is causing scraping marks in the black top. I have tried putting the FEL in the float position, but it still makes marks. My driveway is 200 feet long and 12 feet wide, so I will need to make a lot of passes. What am I doing wrong?? Does your FEL make marks on your driveway? Is this the way it works?, I hope not?? I feel sick paying all this money for something that will destroy my driveway. Should I call the dealer and trade in the FEL for a snow blower?, I would hate to pay $$ for my mistake… HELP…

One other problem I am having is with the 60" deck and anti scalp wheels. If I keep the mower deck on the 3 inch setting and adjust the wheels to the "C" setting as per the book, the wheels roll and support the deck. I thought the deck was suppose to float and the wheels prevented the lawn from being scalped, but do operate at all times. What am I doing wrong??

Thanks in advance for all your help.

Oh by the way the tractor is GREAT!!, just a few minor problems….I hope.

Tom

TresCrows · Mar 8, 2002

Well, not sure Kubota has perfected anti-gravity yet but if you let the 560 lbs FEL float on a soft black top driveway with the power and traction of a 4WD tractor behind it I imagine in short order you will need a new drive, no fear, the BX can help smooth and grade it for the new blacktop!!!!!!
Your MMM may need some minor adjustment but most likely you just need to set the anti scalp wheels were they provide the needed 1/2 to 3/4 clearence when set on a hard flat surface. When on the lawn they will likely skip and roll along and this is normal operation. There is nothing majic about the 3/4 inch adjustment, anywhere from say 0.5 inches up to nearly an inch will work well.
Sorry about the drive but loaders are meant for scooping and digging and it sounds to me like it is operating just as intended, scooping and digging. Keep the FEL and next year get yourself a rear 3-point snowblower, not a snow expert >>>>>me<<<<<<<<, but I think that would be my choice.
Now that you got yourself a tractor, you will have to learn to operate it, it will take more than one afternoon and in the process consider a scraped driveway Lesson number 1.
J

EdKing · Mar 8, 2002

Was you going foward or backward with the FEL in the float posistion ? You have to go backwards with the float, otherwise it has a tendency to dig in and scrape.

Ed King

Charliebrn · Mar 8, 2002

As for the FEL, you could just have the bucket rolled back too far. Raise up the bucket and look at the bottom...you'll notice that the sides of the bucket have a lip that extends down about a quarter inch, and they WILL dig into blacktop. Also notice that the front cutting edge doesn't have this. To stop making grooves in your blacktop, just do what I did: Tilt the bucket down enough that the back sides of the bucket are up about an inch, then let it float...the cutting edge will support the weight of the bucket, spreading the weight across the entire front of the bucket, with the back sides up just a bit, eliminating the scoring that you get if the edges are riding the blacktop. Been there, done that. I solved this completely by welding a skid plate along the bottom back edge of the bucket from one end to the other, the same thickness as the lip at the edges...now I can tilt the bucket back if need be to get the cutting edge up and still not mark my drive. Either way will keep you blacktop nice.

Trescrows is right about the mower, I had to raise the antiscalp rollers one adjustment hole to keep them from rolling on the ground...now they touch and roll just occasionally when my lawn is uneven.

ewoss3 · Mar 9, 2002

normally I don't use the float position for pushing snow. Just lower the fel, place the blade at a flat angle then start pushing and adjust the blade as you go. the key to pushing with the fel is go slow and watch

NY_Yankees_Fan · Mar 11, 2002

An update...

Spoke to the dealer today about the FEL marking the driveway. He said they can order a hard plastic that is 6" wide, by 1" thick, and the width of the bucket, that can be bolted to the bottom of the bucket. Cost is about $100., think I will go with this option. I know it will need to be replaced as it wears, but the way our winters are going, who knows how long it will take!!!!!!!, I know next year we will get tons of snow because of that statement.....LOL, BUT I will be ready!!!

Thanks for your help on this.

Tom

rock · Mar 11, 2002

Tom,

I agree with Charliebrn. I got myself some angle iron and bolted it onto the sides of the loader to make skid feet for where the sides of the bucket extend down. Works great, doesn't mar my blacktop and I've got a pretty good plowing machine with the loader.

I'll probably get a back blade some time to assist in finish work, but right now, I just make two passes.

-- Rock

Charliebrn · Mar 11, 2002

Here's a pic of the wear plates I had put on my BX.....

NY_Yankees_Fan · Mar 12, 2002

Rock,

A picture or more details, size, location, etc. would be great. Since I do not have access to welding equipment, drilling and bolting sounds great! With this set up you do make any marks in the pavement??

Charlis Brown thanks for the e-mail, and picture.

Thanks

Tom

rock · Mar 12, 2002

Tom,
I'll see if I can't borrow a camera and take a picture, so I probably will not be able to do a picture post until the end of the week. I just went out and bought some 2" angle iron. I attach it with two drilled holes through the side of the bucket. The angle iron curves under the bucket and provides a nice level surface for the sides of the loader that extend down. I plow my blacktop with nary a scratch. I take them off for summer time mulch and dirt moving.
-- Rock