BX24 Operation and Insights

[LonghornSam]

Hi all,

I am not experienced with tractors so regardless of what I purchase I know there will be a significant learning curve. The same thing goes for my wife as this will be her first experience with tractors.

I have been considering purchasing a BX24 in the near future. However, on a recent trip to Texas I had some time to killl and found an opportunity to test out a Yanmar FX22 (?) from a dealer in the Dallas area. So I have researched the whole refurbished tractor issue and don't think I will be heading down that path. I just wanted to have some seat time and see what they felt like. I found it to be a bit more difficult to drive, shift, etc. than expected. I have been driving standard transmissions in my cars for 25 years so clutching is not an issue.

The tractor itself (not the loader) felt sluggish while driving and slow and weak to respond on braking. It also felt more top heavy than I expected. My concern was that if I found it less than responsive or challenging to operate I am sure my wife will be very uncomfortable driving it.

So here is the question... how would we as novices feel about a new BX24 or comparable new tractor? What is the learning curve like? Do they feel stable with the loader and backhoe attached? Does it start and stop on a dime or does it have some significant inertia to compensate for? (which is obvious when you are humming along)

We will be doing some brush mowing, light snow removal, shallow trenching, moderate gardening, moderate gravel drive maint. We will have some hills to navigate, primarily up and down and minimal side to side traversing.

Also, what tips might you have for novices and using our new investment but also handling it correctly.

We hope to be test driving a BX 24 in the next week or two. Same thing goes for comparable JD, NH and Kioti models.

When we do purchase, what should we expect from the dealer in regards to training on operation and maint.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Take care,

Sam

 

[ultrarunner]

Just take it slow and avoid transversing slopes... the rest is mostly common sense.

You can learn a lot from reading TBN and the Kubota owner's manual has tips about traveling with the loader lowered and many other cautions. TBN members are always willing to help... especially when safety issues come up

As long as you are not in a hurry, take your time and STOP when you've had enough for one day... I'm sure you will be find.

About the second most important thing I realized from TBN is to keep all children, pets and visitors a safe distance from where you're working. Safe distance varies... some have said with good reason, that a safe distance when bush cutting is several hundred feet...

Welcome Aboard!

PS... The dealer is required to give a brief 20 to 30 minute introduction on features and and how to remove the loader and backhoe... at least mine did on my BX23 and he also had me sign a statement acknowledging this.

 

[Hedgy]

Hi Sam. As a novice you've certainly come to the right place for experience and knowledge, though knowing what to search for is not always obvious. To help navigate it I recently set up a site with links to some of the more useful TBN threads including topics you've mentioned like maneuvering and safety.

Your dealer should be willing to demonstrate things like removing loader and backhoe, though after watching mine struggle with the loader (it was his first time) I couldn't bring myself to torture him by repeating with the backhoe. However from reading threads here on TBN I know it CAN be done in a couple of minutes, with practice.

 

[NoviceguyInCT]

I purchased my 1st tractor, a BX24 in 2006, it was easy to learn how to operate. I learned the backhoe in about 20 minutes, I had the front loader down in less time. I always kept the tractor in low gear when operating. I only use high gear on a flat road. Reverse is the only thing that gave me any problems as the tractor stops suddenly in reverse. Be cautious while operating on any hills or on anything less then a flat surface.
Enjoy!

 

[lp333]

... Yanmar FX22 ... I found it to be a bit more difficult to drive, shift, etc. than expected. I have been driving standard transmissions in my cars for 25 years so clutching is not an issue...how would we as novices feel about a new BX24 or comparable new tractor? ...

LHS, the BX24 is about as slick as it gets in terms of a TLB package. It is a well conceived and beautifully executed subcompact machine - now in its third generation. It will fully address all of the needs that you have enumerated and more. With a little practise, the HST transmission and power steering will make the BX24 a dream to operate.

 

[tommu56]

lp333

Here is a good pictuer posting tutorial

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/photos/107314-photo-posting-how.html


LonghornSam

Welcome

As far as the stabibilty that is the thing you have to go by pucker factor it isnt too bad.
You just have to rember to keep loader as low as possible to keep the center of gravity down
The backhoe dosen't make it as top heavy as having the loader up
with a load in it.

On the side hill issue I have used the out riggers running abiout 6"off the ground and or the back hoe bucket extended up hill side just skimming above the ground. I wouldent recomens doing this till you had some seat time.

As a BX23 owner I looked at some others but nothing came close as beeing able to swivel seat to use backhoe and the "intergal backhoe mount"not an after thought hanging on the 3pt.


tom

 

[mpowrd]

I'll second the comments about the BX24 being a well thought-out TLB package and being easy to operate. My wife feels very comfortable on it including doing some backhoe work. I'm getting pretty good with the loader but don't feel totally natural with the backhoe yet.

One great suggestion I got from this group was to do my initial backhoe work with the engine down around 2100 rpm or so. It slows down the motions (although you still have full digging power) so that you don't jerk things around so much.

Test drive everything, but from my viewpoint it's hard to beat the versitility and value in the BX24.

 

[LonghornSam]

Thanks for the great insights so far and anymore that come along!

 

[Aquaman]

I recently bought a BX24 and had no backhoe experience at all. No problem. You won't believe how quickly you'll learn to use it. As the others have said, it seems to be well designed and is very forgiving to beginners (like me ) Everything on it does exactly what they claim it will do. Buy with confidence.

 

[sqidget]

I bought my BX-24 in April 06. It has almost 100 hours on it and I could not be happier. It is extremely easy to operate and to feel comfortable with. It is no more intimidating than a lawn tractor. I have run 6 or so different machines of various sizes and chose this one for my own.
I use a 48" brush hog, and 4" chipper, it handles them easily. The backhoe is very powerful for a machine of this size. Before using the machine for brush use install a skid plate over the transmission to protect the trans cooling fan. Bro-Tek sells the one I have. I learned this the hard way. The fan is $4.00 it takes 5 hrs labor to change on the 24. 100.00 skid plate, priceless!
I bought this as a glorified lawn/garden tractor. I was WRONG! It is way more tractor than I ever imagined! My best friend is a groundskeeper and runs larger units all week.
He is looking to get a BX for work, he says its more powerful than his CUT(older JD750),and is more maneuverable.
For mowing the mmm cuts as well as a walk behind and the unit really doesn't damage the lawn(R-4 ind tires) unless I really turn sharp and fast.
You will hear many opinions on this, but, I recommend having the rear tires filled. I used rim-guard. 90# per wheel. It increased stability so much I really don't know how to explain it.
I could go on for hours, but will call it for now.
Find a good dealer that will let you test drive one, you will love it!