BX1500 Greenie Questions

[jerkyboy]

I mowed with my BX1500 for the first time last night with the tranny in "fast" mode. The tractor has the FEL and wheel weights on it. I noticed a couple times that when I stopped in the middle of one of my hills and then restarted up the hill the tractor would bog down a bit. Also, at one point, I got stuck in a big rut that I didn't see. When I tried to acceclerate out the rut the tractor wouldn't do it. So I switched to 4wd and shifted the tranny into "slow" mode and I was able to pull out. One more thing that I noticed is when I was driving the tractor back to the garage (PTO off) I noticed a sound which reminds me of a water faucet running.

My questions are; should I remove the wheel weights and FEL when mowing and are the other conditions I mentioned normal on this model tractor?

 

[dodge man]

I wouldn't mow with the FEL on, mainly because it gets in the way and it will rut the lawn a little more, but I don't think there is any reason you have to take it off. I have a BX2350 and I timed myself the other night, it took 2min, 20 seconds to take it off.

They will be a little doggy in high range, I usually mow in low range, but on flat ground, I would think high range would be O.K.

I'm not sure of the sound you describe, but I have heard cars and trucks make a similar sound, and always thought it had something to do with the air conditioning when you shut it off. I'm guessing that it is not the air conditioning on you BX unless you got a special one.

 

[coveredbridge]

My BX1500 also will bog down in high range on inclines. I usually mow in low range, but have used Hi range in flat terrrain. I have also found it much easier to mow with the loader off. I know it seems like a chore to remove and attach, but after a few times you get the steps down, and you can do it pretty quickly. The worst part is there always seems to be a few drops of hydro oil in the couplers that mess up your gloves (or hands). Also, I always get grease on my shirt from the loader when I reach across it to attach or remove the hoses.

Not sure about the sound. If you're running full pedal in hi range there is a kind of low whine from the HST. As far as I know that's normal. Could that be it?

 

[jerkyboy]

That's the noise (the whine). I guess that's normal. I will take the FEL off. How about the wheel weights??

 

[coveredbridge]

I don't have wheel weights, but my rear tires are loaded with windshield washer fluid. The only reason I would remove the weights would be if they are causing your rear wheels to make ruts in your lawn as you mow. Otherwise I would leave them alone.

 

[TripleR]

I usually takr my FEL off, but have mowed with it on. My son in law never takes his off.

I leave my wheel weights on while mowing as it helps with traction on inclines. Many people run fluid in their tires, we do on our farm tractors, so there is always weight on those.

 

[LBrown59]

should I remove the wheel weights and FEL when mowing

I never remove the FEL on this one nor the BH either when I mow.

 

[LBrown59]

My BX1500 also will bog down in high range on inclines. I usually mow in low range, but have used Hi range in flat terrrain. I have also found it much easier to mow with the loader off. I know it seems like a chore to remove and attach, but after a few times you get the steps down, and you can do it pretty quickly. The worst part is there always seems to be a few drops of hydro oil in the couplers that mess up your gloves (or hands). Also, I always get grease on my shirt from the loader when I reach across it to attach or remove the hoses.
Not sure about the sound. If you're running full pedal in hi range there is a kind of low whine from the HST. As far as I know that's normal. Could that be it?

I use low for chores and task .
High for transport for getting from point A to point B.

I don't have wheel weights, but my rear tires are loaded with windshield washer fluid. The only reason I would remove the weights would be if they are causing your rear wheels to make ruts in your lawn as you mow. Otherwise I would leave them alone.

Wet soft ground is the leading cause of lawn ruts.

 

[BigD23]

With my BX23 I've not taken my FEL off when mowing...I've mowed with the BH on/off and always use low gear...I'm using turf tires and it's worked just fine.

Don

 

[blackmajicwoman]

The whine noise you hear could be that your 3PH/mower lift lever is/was stuck in the lift position. I noticed mine did that when I first got my BX1500, but now it returns to the center, which is what it is suppose to do after a little use.