BX23 FEL and BH Removal

[MMCSKPD]

Took the FEL and BH off for the first time today. I was very pleased with how simple it was. I have an old cement slab down by the pond. It's all grown over with grass but it gave me a perfect spot to let them sit for a day or 2 while I play with the MMM. Sure love the 23!!

 

[Junkman]

Taking them off is the easy part. Getting them lined up to reinstall is the difficult part. Take your time and be patient and you will get the hang of putting them back on without difficulty. The BH is the one that causes the most problem. If you don't get it right, you can wipe out the rear of the fenders quite easily. I have found that the BH tends to settle when off the tractor and you have to correct the hight before reinstalling it. I now put a wooden block under it to eliminate this problem. Everyone has their favored method and there is no right or wrong way to do it. Learn what works best for you and always do it that way. I have learned that the outriggers make it easy to lift the tractor and remove the MMM first. When I am going to mow, I put the deck on first and then remove the BH. Many times I mow with the loader on because I can get around with out it being a problem.

 

[Jim_Becker]

Junkman, the BH definitely "settles"...especially if you lower it down to the ground as specified in the instructions! That takes the load off the hydraulics while the BH is stored, but does required you raise it up once the hoses are reconnected so you can slip it in the lower mount points.

 

[DannyD]

I usually lower mine to the ground to rest it on the plate anyway, is that the wrong way. I then have to hook up the hydraulics to raise it as mentioned, but that is not a problem. Mine sits on plywood right now, and it does fine.

I find the BH easier to remove and install than the FEL, but then I have not gotten either down to a simple procedure yet.

 

[Jimbrown]

Well I learned to put mine on a big wood block about 12in by 12 in a concrete block would work as well if you let it go all the way to the ground it is very hard to get the hydrolic hoses hooked back up. I vot e to put it on some sort of block.

 

[Jim_Becker]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I usually lower mine to the ground to rest it on the plate anyway, is that the wrong way. )</font>

No, that is the correct way.

I find that removal/installation of the BH takes two to three times longer than the FEL because of the precision necessary to fit everything together in very tight spaces...the latter (FEL) takes me no more than two minutes, tops! The key is to understand how the controls actually move the implement as you work them during the process, and that includes bucket roll.

 

[DannyD]

<font color="green">what is the correct way, please! </font> <font color="black"> </font> I can get the BH on in about 5 minutes, and if I am careful, real careful, I dont hit the fenders. I tried leaving it up on the stabilizers, when I went back in a couple of days, it was on the plate. Hooked up the hoses, raised it up, backed the tractor under it, set it down, bucket roll to get it hooked on top, and done.

 

[KirkMcD]

Watch the hoses when putting the BH back on. They are easily pinched.

 

[MMCSKPD]

I started this thread by taking the FEL an BH off. This afternoon I put them back on. As experienced by others, I found the FEL to be the tough one. The BH went right on... wasn't even close to the fenders once I got the bottom bar to drop into the hooks. The FEL took some time... seems like it just didn't want to drop down over the rods below the removable pins... but eventually it did and I was on my way.

 

[Jim_Becker]

For you folks having issues with installing the FEL, you need to practice working with the stick so that you get a natural feel for how the arms will move as you manipulate the control. For example, if you are having trouble getting the arms to engage the lower connection, you probably have to curl the bucket a little to LOWER the end of the arms so that it will catch.

For the fellow who left the BH suspended on the stablizers, what you experienced is normal...the pressure will bleed off over some period of time...and that varies with the machine. Lower the unit to the "ground" before you disconnect the hoses. Then be sure and work the controls after you turn off the tractor, but before you disconnect the hoses to release any pressure that might make it difficult to get them hooked up again, especially in hot weather. When you go to reinstall, just raise it up again once the hoses are connected so that you can back the tractor just a little more to allow you to drop the unit into the lower mount points.