BX1500 and Woods BH6000

[Tom_H]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( it is a little back heavy and I have loaded the front tires to help. I may take Henro's advice and foam fill them or mod out suitcase weights.)</font>

This is just a thought. If you added weight to the top of the FEL bucket, it wouldn't require as much weight as a point near the front axle because it would be leveraged farther away from the center of gravity. Of course, you'd want this weight to be removable so as not to limit your weight capacity when using the FEL.

Also, since the tractor is fairly lightweight itself, which could cause the bh to pull the tractor toward the bh bucket rather than digging when in hard soil, you might consider putting a toothbar on the FEL, rotating the FEL so that the teeth are down, and lifting the front of the tractor slightly off the ground with the FEL. If the FEL bucket will rotate far enough, the teeth on the bar become an in ground anchor. Again, having the extra weight atop the FEL might be slightly more advantageous than having it near the front axle.

 

[surfran]

I don't know this for a fact as I don't have front weights, but I was under the impression they bolted a bracket using the holes used to mount he brush guard. If that is the case, it looks like you have the same brush guard and should be able to use them. I am thinking that you can't use the brush guard with the weights, but you should have to with the weights sticking out they kinda do the same thing.

Of course I could be all wet too /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[blackmajicwoman]

Some performance news for all of you wondering about the BX1500 and the Woods BH6000. I dug a 50' trench 4' deep this weekend for collection 2 of the downspouts on the gable side of my house. The plan is to combine the 2 and run a 4" PVC pipe to the lowest point and outskirts of my property. It took me about 4 hours. It probably would have been quicker, but I am still a rookie when it comes to controling hydraulics. Anyway, here's my report:

While digging, the tractor was very stable. Excellent control and visibility. Plenty of leg room and very comfortable, even after 4 hours of seat time.

Digging performance was great, although I did have to get off to pry a few 2' rocks loose. I am sure a more experience operator would have gotten them out without getting off the seat, but as I said before, I am a rookie.

The controls operated very smoothly. I definitely got a really good feel after the first hour. In fact, my technique was measurable better between the first hour and the last hour.

The pucker factor kicked in a bit at the last 10 feet, as it was a 10-15 degree incline going downward. However, once the bucket was down, the outriggers planted, and the tractor leveled, it was no problem.

Once the trench was dug, I laid the 60 feet of PVC pipe. The last 10 feet was exposed, as that point was about 5' lower that the point I started from and there was no need to bury that section, as it was already at a 10 degree slope.

Once the pipe was in and leveled to 1/4" per foot, I braced the pipe with the "big" rocks and larger stones. I then started backfilling. What work out real nice was I used the how to "sweep" the back fill into the trench. I just backed my way up every 4 feet or so until I finished. I was just going to use the loader to back fill, but I didn't feel comfortable on a 10-15 degree slope sideways. That is where the pucker factor kicked in. In any event, the hoe "swept" the back fill very nicely.

All in all, considering the size and limitations of the BX1500 with the Woods BH6000 on it, it performed like a champ. I was very impressed. Not to mention I had a lot of fun. Start to finish was about 7 hours. Sorry I have not pics this time...was too busy having fun!

 

[Scrounger]

I have the BH6000 on my BX2230 and I really love the machine. I wish the ROPS was a bit taller for me. I'm 6' 2" and the combination of raised seat with the swivel added and the height, makes for a potential head banger. I have to watch myself so I dont catch the forehead on the ROPS. I think I might invest in a hardhat if I can find one in orange or a NY Jets hat.

 

[ByronBob]

I have a 2230. Could I ask roughly what this BH costs from Woods?

 

[Jerry4]

I have this on my L245DT. A very old Kubota. It cost $7000 with the bracket that goes under the tractor and fixes to the frame. As said in the beggining, it is very stable and digs well. I just wish it had more reach. But this is the only model that fits on my tractor.

Jerry

 

[blackmajicwoman]

Byronbob,

I paid $4600 installed on my BX1500. The funny thing is, I just received a flyer from my dealer advertising to all BX owners a cost of $5000 including pick up/delivery, installation, and sales tax. I also think he was using my machine as the guinny pig, seeing as it was the second machine he did the install o, but the first sold to a consumer. He installed the first on a BX2230 that is still on his lot. Thus, that is why I think he gave me a break.

 

[blackmajicwoman]

I completed another task with the BX1500 and the Woods BH6000. I installed some drainage pipes for the down spouts on my house. The BH and tractor performed great. Now that I have about 10 hours on the BH, I can give a real good assessment. The performance of the BH is incredible. You can see from the pics (see follow on pics) of the size of the rocks I dug out. Digging depth is good as well (considering the size of the BH), as you can see the deepest part of the trench in the center. The BH is extremely easy to use and is very smooth. It has exceeded my expectations of a BH of this size. Now, onto transport performance. The tractor is definite light on the front wheels. In fact, if you are trying to make a sharp turn quickly, the tractor has a hard time gaining traction in the front. Even with fluid in the front tires, I think I need to add a good 100# to the front. The Kubota suitcase weight system for the BX series is not compatible with the LA181 FEL (there apparently is not enough clearance between the FEL boom and front bumper), so I think I am going to design my own. In addition to that, I think I am going to take Henro's advice and foam fill the fronts. I wont be using the AG's on my lawn for the summer, as I have a set of turfs, so I don't have to worry about making ruts in the yard. As long as I go slow, turning and traction aren't a problem, but I think it can be improved. Other than that, this is a great set up for me.

 

[blackmajicwoman]

pic #2

 

[blackmajicwoman]

pic #3