BX23 HST noise

[Bill_BX23]

I recently sold my B6100E (with gear drive) and upgraded to a BX23. Now have 5 hours on the meter.

Tonight, after fitting the PTO shaft for my tiller, I took it down the street (without the 3PH, but the tiller on the back). I noticed that there was a significant whining noise coming from the rear end, at any speed. Of course, the faster I went, the higher the pitch, but even at slow speed I'm amazed at how loud it is.

Now, I've read previous posts about not enough grease in the mower deck spindles. Has any one had any problems with not enough hydraulic oil coming from the factory? I was planning on checking the mower deck spindles when I get it Monday, but didn't think to check the hydraulic oil level.

Are there any other things I should check to make sure there is not a problem with the HST?

There is also a general hissing/rushing noise during regular operation that I attributed to hydraulic oil flowing through the hoses and attachments.

Thanks

Bill.
Euharlee, Georgia

 

[Scrounger]

Bill

I have a new BX2230 with five hours also and I've noticed the HST sound too and it is something like a hiss. I think that is normal however and part of the HST operating sounds.

I notice the same sound running the Woods BH that I have so I can only assume that its hydraulic related.

 

[grandad]

Have you checked the transmission fluid level using the dipstick? It's by the left rear tire just above the lower left 3pt lift arm.

When you buy a $ 10,000+ piece of equipment, you have a right to expect the dealer will do a full service of the unit before delivery, unlike the experience of buying a riding lawnmower at your local box store. You should see that all the grease zerks have been lubed, for example. Making sure the transmission has juice would be right up there with the engine oil in importance. If he missed that, he's not doing his job very well.

A certain amount of whine is normal from hydrostatic transmissions as they operate. The greater the loading, the louder the whine. With the BX tractors, you also get some "push-back" on the treadle if the tractor is under load. After some use, you'll get a sense for how much load there is from the whine and the feel of the treadle.

If you have the brake set firmly and try to make the tractor move, or if you try to push an immovable object , you should hear the HST really load up.

If the HST juice is low, you should probably also observe some other things like irregular operation of the FEL or BH, or problems with the 3pt lift. If there is something else binding in the drivetrain so the HST is constantly straining under load, you should find the fluid will become very hot. Not just warm, but so hot you can't touch the hydralic lines on the FEL, for example.

If the fluid is OK and you don't have any of those other problems, you are probably OK.

 

[dieseltoys]

Well having run a few older Kubotas like your 6100E in the past and owning a BX2200 now I can tell you that the HST units will definately have more whine and at a higher pitch than a gear driven unit, especially at full throttle. I usually keep mine running at half to threequarters throttle range unless I really need the power or speed. As long as you have enough oil in the unit and everything is operating smoothly I don't think you have to worry about anything. I actually think the sound mine makes at higher speeds is kind of neat as it sounds like a much bigger machine.

Steve

 

[radair]

Plenty of whining from my BX also. My fluids all seem to be fine, I think it's just the nature of the beast.

 

[rosey]

The hydrostatic transmission and hydraulics for the 3 pt. hitch do emit noises on my BX and I have always assumed that these hydraulic "noises" were normal.

 

[HomeBrew2]

Ditto here. As another poster said on another thread ... (paraphrasing) "a little whine with your rattle" ...

 

[Volfandt]

Whine here too. On mine it's less noticable w/the FEL & BH dismounted. Hardly pay any attention to it anymore.

Volfandt

 

[stryker_oh]

I have 35 hours on my BX23 and have noticed if I "accidently" leave the parking brake engaged the HST makes a winning noise at any speed. Once I hit the brake release it quiets right down. I suggest checking your parking brake. Hope this helps.