BX24 Strangeness

puternerd · May 11, 2006

I took delivery of my new BX24 last night. The salesman delivered and demonstrated it for me since I'm as rookie as can be in this world.
Mistake One: I tried the mmm with the backhoe hydraulics connected. The manual says not to do this, can anyone give feedback on the ramifications?

Mistake Two: we didn't turn off the motor before disconnecting the backhoe hoses. I'm guessing this would pull air into the system.

After showing me how to detach the loader, we couldn't lower the mower any longer. We tried the procedure to process air in the lines but with no success.

Finally, we were going to load it back up to take back to the shop and he asked me to drive it around a little more. eventually the deck started to raise and lower again.

Any thoughts on this? Could it have been an air pocket that needed higher rpm or movement to displace? It seems to be working fine now but I haven't re-attached anything else yet. I hope we did not caused any harm to the hydraulic system.

Volfandt · May 11, 2006

#1, don't understand this one a theres no such written instruction in my BX23 manual. My guess is that the weight of the BH makes the BX24 squat which may inturn cause the blades on the MMM scrape the ground if it was set too low. I wouldn't think you done any damage.
I always mow with the BH & FEL dismounted as I have many tight places to fit in but I have run the MMM with both the BH & FEL mounted just to knock out a small patch I had overlooked with no adverse effects.

#2 This is a no no. Your lucky high pressure fluid didn't squirt out on you. It also probably introduced air which inturn could have caused a vaccum lock.
What you should do when dismounting either the FEL or BH is to turn off the engine then work the levers until all the pressure is relieved, THEN disconnect the lines. This is not only safer but it also minimizes the chance of the implements re-pressureizing while sitting. When this happens the connectors won't go back together unless you manually relieve the pressure.

#3, probably related to air in the hydro system. I wouldn't sweat it unless it reoccurs.

#4. With practice you'll be able to mount/dismount either or both the FEL, BH or MMM in just a few minutes. There are some days when I'll do all 3 multiple times with no problems.
I'd work it and mount/dismount your implements as many time as you need. Just remember to shut the engine down and bleed off all pressure before disconnecting/reconnecting your lines.

Volfandt

proudestmonkey · May 11, 2006

( With practice you'll be able to mount/dismount either or both the FEL, BH or MMM in just a few minutes. There are some days when I'll do all 3 multiple times with no problems.
Volfandt )

Your confidence is inspiring. I have to admit, since taking the FEL off a few weeks ago, I've been leary of putting it back on to do just a few hours worth of work. I know eventually it will be no big deal. I had such an easy time getting it off without any problems, and now I find myself not wanting to push my luck putting it back on (for fear it will be much harder this time). I never said any of this is rational. Its just insecurity about big heavy complicated things working the way they are supposed to (or me being able to figure it out).

AMR · May 12, 2006

I believe that the reason you can not mow with the MMM is that the mower will not lower all the way with the BH on. I know on my BX23 the 3 PT hitch arms come down and rest on the BH operators platform when I try to lower the mower which lets the mower come down only a couple inches leaving it pretty high off the ground. I believe that this is the only reason.

Regarding attaching/detaching stuff, have at it. The more times the better, you will find that it is very easy and will be quicker every time. It deserves thought for sure but there is no better confidence builder than doing it.

I am surprised the dealer made these mistakes with you.

DickS · May 12, 2006

( The manual says not to do this, can anyone give feedback on the ramifications?)

Seems strange the sales rep would demonstrate something specifically warned against on page 47 of the owners manual.

puternerd · May 12, 2006

Thanks,
I feel a little better about it. I'm going to do some manual reading before reattachment. My suggestion to rookies like myself is to ask for the manual in advance if you have to wait a few days for the rig to arrive.

BrianW · May 12, 2006

 What you should do when dismounting either the FEL or BH is to turn off the engine then work the levers until all the pressure is relieved 

This is important for the loader because the control valve stays with the tractor. The backhoe control stays with the backhoe so you don't have to relieve the pressure on it, but make sure you attach the supply and return lines on the tractor together after removing the backhoe. I got this information from the dealer when they showed my friend how to hook and unhook on his BX24.

DannyD · May 13, 2006

When using the 3pt hitch, there is a knob in the operators position that locks the MMM in the up position. Keeps the ground clearance there for you.

puternerd · May 13, 2006

That is another territory to explore. The 3 point hitch came in a box. I will need to assemble that as well. Right now I have no implements to use on it but I plan to get a rear plow.

Stef · May 13, 2006

As for disconnecting pressurized implements, I'm surprised that you could have disconnected it. Usually, it's too hard to disconnect pressurized hoses. Anyways, it's a no-no. High pressure oil can penetrate the skin and let air enter the system. Stop the engine, move the sticks, unplug and/or plug the hoses and restart the engine. Have fun.
BTW, I recommend you to lock the FEL stick when the loader is off (there's a little switch at the bottom of the stick to do that). That way, you won't pressurize the FEL valve by moving the stick (by accident or by curiosity) without a loader and it'll be easier to plug the FEL hoses back on later.

For the mmm, as others mentionned, the operation platform of the backhoe prevents the hitch links to go all the way down, so the mmm wouldn't be able to touch the ground.

About an air pocket in the hydraulic system, this is probably what happened. The oil for the implements and the transmission is the same. By moving around you have cleared the air from the system.

Do not worry too much about things like that, everybody makes a mistake from time to time... no harm done.

Good luck and happy seat time. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

bramsey · May 14, 2006

( That is another territory to explore. The 3 point hitch came in a box. I will need to assemble that as well. Right now I have no implements to use on it but I plan to get a rear plow. )

Be prepared as I didn't see any instruction for the 3 pt attachment and had to cipher it out. Lots of parts and not much guidance is a recipe for disaster. Also make sure you lubricate the balls on the spreader bars as they can be a real bear to move around.

ben

Singlecoil · May 15, 2006

Ditto his remarks on the 3pt. Mine was also missing two clevis pins which made the poor directions even more confusing. I had to substitute with pins from the hardware store until the dealer could mail some replacements. I was very confused by the whole thing and had to ask the experts on here what I was doing wrong. Basically, the grey paint had seized up two of the roller bearings (or whatever you call the rolling ball joints in the four corners of the 3pt hitch) and made it just about impossible to hook anything up. The way they were painted, they looked like they were welded that way, which was not the case. After a little reefing, order was restored.

Singlecoil · May 15, 2006

Ditto his remarks on the 3pt. Mine was also missing two clevis pins which made the poor directions even more confusing. I had to substitute with pins from the hardware store until the dealer could mail some replacements. I was very confused by the whole thing and had to ask the experts on here what I was doing wrong. Basically, the grey paint had seized up two of the roller bearings (or whatever you call the rolling ball joints in the four corners of the 3pt hitch) and made it just about impossible to hook anything up. The way they were painted, they looked like they were welded that way, which was not the case. After a little reefing, order was restored.

puternerd · May 15, 2006

Thanks for the 3 point heads up. As you said I already noticed paint in the heim joints (or whatever they call them). I will inventory the parts now since I may not be putting it on for a while, I don't want to be missing anything.

I thought Id post my first conquest. A stump I've been mowing around for the last 5 years. They don't have a chance with the new BX.

I'm becoming a tractor junkie.

puternerd · May 15, 2006

Thanks for the 3 point heads up. As you said I already noticed paint in the heim joints (or whatever they call them). I will inventory the parts now since I may not be putting it on for a while, I don't want to be missing anything.

I thought Id post my first conquest. A stump I've been mowing around for the last 5 years. They don't have a chance with the new BX.

I'm becoming a tractor junkie.

imported_timalabim · May 16, 2006

Hey Puter,

Looks like you still have the MMM attached while using the BH.
The BX24 manual clearly advises against this. Mine was delivered that way too, but the first thing I did was to remove the MMM to test out the 24 on my first stump too. It sure is fun to rip out something out of the ground that you have been mowing around for years. Good luck with your new toy !!

imported_timalabim · May 16, 2006

Hey Puter,

Looks like you still have the MMM attached while using the BH.
The BX24 manual clearly advises against this. Mine was delivered that way too, but the first thing I did was to remove the MMM to test out the 24 on my first stump too. It sure is fun to rip out something out of the ground that you have been mowing around for years. Good luck with your new toy !!

Qrazy · May 16, 2006

Mine was delievered with the FEL, BH and MMM all attached at the same time....I specifically asked my dealer and his head mechanic if it was ok to operate the BX24's MMM with all three attached. They both said yes, and the only problem was having clearance around obstacles in your yard because the FEL and BH were still on....They demonstrated how it all worked....I have since cut teh majority of my yard with all 3 still attached, as I am in the process of pulling many cedar stumps...It worked flawlessly, and I have not had any issues with doing this...

Qrazy · May 16, 2006

Mine was delievered with the FEL, BH and MMM all attached at the same time....I specifically asked my dealer and his head mechanic if it was ok to operate the BX24's MMM with all three attached. They both said yes, and the only problem was having clearance around obstacles in your yard because the FEL and BH were still on....They demonstrated how it all worked....I have since cut teh majority of my yard with all 3 still attached, as I am in the process of pulling many cedar stumps...It worked flawlessly, and I have not had any issues with doing this...

puternerd · May 16, 2006

That, my friend, is the $6million dollar question.

Page 47 of the manual says to not use the mmm with the backhoe installed or you could damage the control valve on the hoe. My service man says I won't hurt anything but he is going to call Kubota and check the BX23 manual to see if this is something new.

In the meantime I just locked th mower in top position and turned the 3 point valve so it can't drop. I don't mind taking off the hoe to mow but I sure hope I don't have to pull the mmm to hoe. Ya know.