BX-2200

Anonymous Poster · Mar 13, 2001

Just did my first work with my BX-2200. Other than driving around in the snow, I have not done much with the tractor until today. Put a Rhino 48" box scraper on and moved around some washed out areas of the driveway around. Was amazed at how well the tractor could move material even uphill. Have turf tires with v-bar chains on rear. Can only do small amounts at a time, but works very well. Does anyone have experience with the fel on this unit? How well does it work?

Thanks,

newtractorowner

Charliebrn · Mar 13, 2001

Same as you, with turfs and a FEL. Have no problems filling the bucket to overflowing, and haven't found any limitation so far with the tractor, except for some traction issues due to the turfs. How much were the chains and where did you get them? Am thinking they might help with the tiller...

DaveNH · Mar 13, 2001

Welcome Newtractorowner.
You'll find the FEL works just fine. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif Smallest of the 'botas but it will get the job done.
New BX users are coming out of the woodwork!/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
Soon we should ask for our own Forum./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

We're all in this together! (3)
Yuppie tractor owner.

Roy · Mar 14, 2001

I also run turfs and FEL on a BX2200.

Let me start off with, that when I first ordered the unit, back in Dec 1999, I really struggled with buying a FEL. Problem was, since the BX's were not released yet (dealers had prototypes, which were not for sale), there was no way at that time to asses what it would do. I struggled, and ordered it with the tractor anyway. Wasn't expecting much. Figured, it would make an old man's job a little easier than a dump cart. That was then…

This is now! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif Don't take my FEL: away! It has amazed me more than any other aspect of the BX, blew my expectations away 100 fold! Problem is, over the last year I have gone amuck and finished all the projects that I had on my to-do list, which was suppose to be a 5 to 10 year plan! Had a long ditch running parallel to a ridge. Gone. Rise ripped out; dirt used to backfill ditch. Never cared for how a county contractor graded a storm water runoff on my property. They left a low spot, and over time, the water found a new way to travel, cutting a deep gully down a hill over the course of the last eight years. Gully gone. Re-graded so that the water now runs where it was initially intended. Had a grove of trees which nature grew too close. They were twisting and leaning, fighting for sunlight. Thinned out, six trees (4 to 7 inches diameter) now gone, as are their stumps. (Yes, it would have been faster with a backhoe, or at least a toothbar, but it got the job done). I could go on with stories about moving things, excavating, and my favorite use… ripping objects down.

A Bobcat, for example, can do some of the jobs a lot faster. I figured that the rise-rip project would of required 2 to 3 hours with one (a half-day rental). On the BX, it took me 2 days, about 12 hours total. A couple of hours on another weekend fidgeting with it, smoothing it out. For a homeowner (unlike a contractor) who is not in a rush, the BX FEL works great.

That 48" box scrapper would make the perfect counterweight (due to it's light weight, the BX absolutely needs one when using a FEL).

Go with a FEL… Bamm-Bamm needs his club. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Roy

Thomas · Mar 14, 2001

If you still have some snow left thats a good time to get some FEL practice.

Oh you for got to register. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

newtractorowner · Mar 14, 2001

Got chains at www.tirechains.com About $115.00 They went on pretty easy.

Frank · Mar 17, 2001

I got my BX2200 with FEL in October, too late to do any mowing, but I have used the FEL throughout the winter to clear snow from a 100' driveway. My guess is that that is about the limit for how large a drive you'd want to use an FEL for snowremoval. With a foot of snow, it will begin to bog down by the time it nears the end of the drive - if not before. I have both turf and bar tires, and use the bar tires for winter work. I haven't tried snow removal with turf tires but can't imagine it would work very well (but you mentioned you had chains on the back). If your drive is much longer you may want to consider a blower or a front or rear blade. When I first began clearing snow I didn't use any counterweight. With a full bucket of wet snow, the rear end would bounce. I got a 3 point mounted counterweight bracket from my dealer on which I've mounted 4 - 50lb weights (it will take 7 total). I believe my dealer got them from "North State Sales" but I have no idea where they are located. The 3 pt weight bracket is part number 7001 ($94), and the weights are part number 3113 ($39 each). They make a big difference. The advantage of the 3 pt weight bracket set up is that it takes up less space than a box blade, tiller, rear blade or other counterweight implement - handy if you have limited space in a garage or shed.
Finally, I agree with the other opinions you'll find on this forum - the FEL is probably the most useful implement on the tractor and well worth it if you don't already have one. I've already found one unconventional use for it when I buried one of my front tires in mud up to the frame. After recovering from the panic of not being able to move I realized I could just use the front loader to raise the tractor up high enough to put a 2x6 under the front wheel, and drive off.
Frank

Charliebrn · Mar 19, 2001

Ever seen any wheel weights for the BX? That way I could have the FEL, a rear blade (light duty, not very heavy) all loaded up and ready to go with the extra weight to help the turfs...

Roy · Mar 19, 2001

Charliebrn; Certainly have, my own BX. Purchased the rear wheel weights with the tractor, so it was delivered with them installed. The dealer wanted the same cost for fluid or weights, so I went with the weights. How much do they help? That I can't say, I have never taken them off.

Roy