bx2200 review

[Anonymous Poster]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I agree that the BX loader is rather weak. The loader I built for my old Simplicity puts it to shame, it could easily lift 1,500 lbs., not bad for a "garden tractor". Compare it to a comparable sized machine like the Dig-It which lifts 1,700 lbs. the BX loader is way under powered. The BX hydraulic system pressure it set too low (1850 psi), it should be at least 2000 psi which would give the loader more power(it could also use larger lift cylinders). The BX is built like a tank, too bad Kubota isn't taking advantage of it.... )</font>

The example you show of the dig it machine is more than twice the weight of a BX2200 and has much larger tires. A fel that can lift as much or more than the entire tractor weighs seems like a recipe for disaster to me. I believe that Kubota set the capacity of the fel on the BX2200 with safety in mind taking into account the capacity of the 3PH for counter balance weight etc. As Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor usually found out, just because you can build something more powerful doesn't make it a good idea! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

rbarker,
I think you'reright. After thinking about it and looking at the way the loader frame is built, two possibilities come to mind:
1. The designers didn't want to put so much loader power on that it was possible for somone to ram & jam and bust it or the tractor up, or (most likely),
2. They set it so that it was very tractable for a new user or weekend warrior, and less prone to get somebody in a tricky situation. My old machine would lift so much it would flatten the front tires, and make the a** end so light (even w/400# weight and filled tires) that popping the rear tires off the ground was an every day thing. Could get real scary real quick if you did something stupid or weren't watching closely. The bx is more stable, gives an operator confidence, and won't scare him off the bat if he gets too aggressive.
I find that even though it is a little underpowered, its real sweet and easy to use.

jrlichina,
Agreed. I wouldn't mind jacking the pressure up either /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif.
DaveL

 

[Anonymous Poster]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( 2. They set it so that it was very tractable for a new user or weekend warrior, and less prone to get somebody in a tricky situation.)</font>

Yes, I'm sure that liability had a part in the decision on how much power to give the loader. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( jrlichina,
Agreed. I wouldn't mind jacking the pressure up either /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif.
DaveL )</font>

Well, I guess a bit more power wouldn't hurt! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[jrlichina]

The Dig-It is not twice the weight of a comparably configured BX. The BX22 which weighs with loader, BH, and MMM is about the same roughly 2800 lbs. A BX2200 weighs about the same with a heavy ballast on the 3-point. The Dig-It is also just about the same size in length and height(maybe an inch or two longer). The Dig-It FEL lifts 53% of the total tractor weight, so if you would apply this to the BX it should lift about 1,484 lbs. which is 3 times what it is rated.

You can increase the pressure if you like. The relief valve can be shimmed to increase pressure. There is a pressure test port located near the 3-point lift cylinder. Hook a pressure gauge there to check the system pressure. Kubota has as acceptable range of 1850-1900 psi., they have service shims in various thicknesses to increase the relief setting based on what the current pressure is reading. Going over 1900 psi is up to you, my guess is that the seals and cylinders are rated for at least 2500 psi although I can't confirm that at this point.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The Dig-It is not twice the weight of a comparably configured BX. The BX22 which weighs with loader, BH, and MMM is about the same roughly 2800 lbs. A BX2200 weighs about the same with a heavy ballast on the 3-point. )</font>

You're right, I forgot to factor in the weight of the fel. I don't know what a BX22 weighs, but my BX2200 with the fel weighs 1740 Lbs. Does the hoe add 1000 lbs to the weight of the unit? The Dig it weighs 3250 Lbs according to their add.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( You can increase the pressure if you like. The relief valve can be shimmed to increase pressure. There is a pressure test port located near the 3-point lift cylinder. Hook a pressure gauge there to check the system pressure. Kubota has as acceptable range of 1850-1900 psi., they have service shims in various thicknesses to increase the relief setting based on what the current pressure is reading. )</font>

Thanks for the tip, I'll ask my dealer about this next time I have the tractor serviced. Definately going to need more weight in the box for that, though! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[FamilyFarm]

quote:
You're right, I forgot to factor in the weight of the fel. I don't know what a BX22 weighs, but my BX2200 with the fel weighs 1740 Lbs. Does the hoe add 1000 lbs to the weight of the unit?

The BX22 weighs 1520, I think the FEL is about 500 and the hoe close to 700. Add fuel, operator, etc you should be about 2900 depending. Leave the MMM on and now you are at 3200, although it can get in the way!

Terry