BX25D and UnderArmor

[trumpeterb]

I am going to purchase the under armor shield for my 25D in order to protect the "guts" of the tractor from damage when clearing brush. I watched a couple of videos on how to install this, and I see that it attaches to the mower deck hydraulic lift arms in the front. I can see that the armor will have to come off each time I use the mower, which is really not a big deal. Here is my question though--if I am brush hogging, and I am using the hydraulic lever to raise and lower the brush hog, will it significantly raise and lower the under armor as well? If so, will it make this ineffective? Anyone using the armor have any experience in this situation?

 

[Panik]

I made my own armor out of expanded metal rather buying. Absolutely nothing against Bro-Tek or Bxpanded as they both make great products. I just couldn't afford the cost at the time.

However to answer your question, no raising and lowering the 3pt will not necessarily affect the mid mower lift arms. If you look at the height adjustment dial just for the mid-mower you should see a position for locking the lift arms up at their highest position. With my homebuilt armor plate I attach it to the lift arms, then raise them to the highest setting and and then turn the height adjustment to the lock position. This should work pretty similarly for Bro-Tek and Bxpanded's stuff assuming they use the mower lift arms.

 

[GolfAddict]

The Brotek doesn't use the mower mounts, the bxpanded does. As panik said, put it on, raise it all the way up and set your height adjustment knob to "Top". That will lock the mower arms in place but your 3pt will still raise and lower.

 

[Sodo]

Just FYI under armor for a BX can be made with 4 angle brackets and a small sheet of steel/aluminum/plywood/expanded steel. It simply needs to block 99% of sticks from getting to the transmission cooling fan blades, that's all. It should allow lots of airflow. Some of the stuff I see for sale looks like it's would protect you from a land mine. That's OK, but more than is necessary. LED underbody lighting would be overkill in a similar manner.

 

[wawajake]

yep...........I did what Sodo suggests, I used plywood so I could cut out around tran filter, and enhanced the unit with sheet metal where sticks could get around it otherwise. All held in place with four 1/4 inch bolts. Cost / under $25. Been in place for three years, I maintain and make new ATV trails with tractor so it sees its share of sticks

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

Panik is right. You set the height adjustment dial at the "Top" setting. I've been using a rear finish mower with my BX2660 and my Under Armor and it works great.

 

[dragoneggs]

Just FYI under armor for a BX can be made with 4 angle brackets and a small sheet of steel/aluminum/plywood/expanded steel. It simply needs to block 99% of sticks from getting to the transmission cooling fan blades, that's all. It should allow lots of airflow. Some of the stuff I see for sale looks like it's would protect you from a land mine. That's OK, but more than is necessary. LED underbody lighting would be overkill in a similar manner.

Com'n Sodo... LED's under lighting sounds cool! On a heavy under armor... I think the more weight the better... efficient low to ground ballast in the center of the footprint! Now that you got me thinking... I do have some misc LED that I could wire up! :dance1::licking:

 

[Sodo]

LEDs and Lead too! Hang a bunch of fishing weights like dingo-balls.

Yeah they need weight. But not stuff that gets in the way of cleaning, inspection, hooking up implements etc.

 

[dragoneggs]

LEDs and Lead too! Hang a bunch of fishing weights like dingo-balls.

Yeah they need weight. But not stuff that gets in the way of cleaning, inspection, hooking up implements etc.

I gotcha ya! Totally agree with you except the dingo ball part :laughing:

 

[walker450]

I use the BXpanded under armor and I use a couple of zip-ties to hold it all the way up. It's not totally necessary but it will still hang down some even with the height adjustment all the way up. I take mine in and off several times a season because my BX is also my lawn mower.

 

[trumpeterb]

Yeah, I think I will be taking it off and on as well, as the BX's main job for me is mowing....and carrying firewood from the pile to the house in the winter....and plowing the driveway when it snows. BUT, I do have some work in the woods every year (to get the firewood) and some brush hogging I need to do, so it will be worth having the armor. Well worth the cost to protect a much more expensive tool IMO.

 

[xzcVAbc5]

I use the BXpanded under armor and I use a couple of zip-ties to hold it all the way up. It's not totally necessary but it will still hang down some even with the height adjustment all the way up. I take mine in and off several times a season because my BX is also my lawn mower.

You might need to make an adjustment to the bolt behind the left rear wheel. When I lifted up my underarmor I couldn't put the knob into the "TOP" position.

My underarmor fits against the bottom of the tractor so tight that it flexes a little in the rear in the top position.

 

[meos1]

You might need to make an adjustment to the bolt behind the left rear wheel. When I lifted up my underarmor I couldn't put the knob into the "TOP" position.

My underarmor fits against the bottom of the tractor so tight that it flexes a little in the rear in the top position.

I was going to reply with this exact concern. When you raise it watch the plate and when it flexes stop. Turn the knob to "top" and that's it. You should be good to go. I run my MMM most of the time when in the woods doing light duty. Only when I am doing heavy digging and tree clearing do I put the armor on.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

You might need to make an adjustment to the bolt behind the left rear wheel. When I lifted up my underarmor I couldn't put the knob into the "TOP" position.

My underarmor fits against the bottom of the tractor so tight that it flexes a little in the rear in the top position.

The Under Armor actually comes with instructions for adjusting that bolt if necessary to get the knob to go into the "TOP" position. I had to adjust mine a little. It was a 2-3 minute process.

 

[xzcVAbc5]

The Under Armor actually comes with instructions for adjusting that bolt if necessary to get the knob to go into the "TOP" position. I had to adjust mine a little. It was a 2-3 minute process.

My machine must be way different. I almost bottomed the bolt out before it would work on my tractor. I think I might only have two turns left at most.

 

[rjkobbeman]

My BX2370-1 has a skid-plate/brush-guard under the HST fan. Is this something new? Would that fit a BX25D?

 

[meos1]

My BX2370-1 has a skid-plate/brush-guard under the HST fan. Is this something new? Would that fit a BX25D?

That little plate on the 2370-1 is an improvement but does not provide the level of protection needed. I will post a pic of this shortly. You need a full belly plate to cover your underside.

 

[meos1]

Here is the plate:

 

[dragoneggs]

Here is the plate: <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/kubota-owning-operating/446140-bx25d-underarmor-undercarriage-jpg"/>

The Bro Tek mid plate in combination with the rear plate is used in place of the stock guard.

 

[Rustyferrious]

My machine must be way different. I almost bottomed the bolt out before it would work on my tractor. I think I might only have two turns left at most.

That doesn't sound right. Are you sure you used the correct mounting hole for the bolt? Here is an under armor installation video. Might be worth double checking. Mine U-A rides high and tight.