Backhoe Can I leave the backhoe on with a M-M mower?

[Bolt Upright]

I just received my new BX 25 yesterday and I did some mowing with the BH on. Someone mentioned that you can damage the control valve of the BH from pressure spikes if you do. How would you know if that happened?

 

[BigD23]

I just received my new BX 25 yesterday and I did some mowing with the BH on. Someone mentioned that you can damage the control valve of the BH from pressure spikes if you do. How would you know if that happened?

Welcome to TBN and congrats on your new machine...As far as damage to the control valve for your BH, I'd think you'd notice it with any operation(s) that fail to do what your lever's are telling it to...Enjoy that new 25!

Don

 

[LBrown59]

I have a BX24 with the industrial tires (not liquid filled) but no mower. For several reasons, I do not want to remove the backhoe but was wondering if it is possible and practical, to buy a Kubota mid-mount mower and mow with the backhoe and loader still attached.

The BXs were designed exactly for that.

1*Sure! Just make sure you disconnect the power beyond line from the Backhoe and reattach it to the tractor when you're using the mower. The BH control valve can be damaged by pressure spikes from the 3 point hitch (mower) operation.

1*This isn't necessary on my BX23.
Been running it for over 4 years and never disconnected the power beyond line from the Backhoe and reattach it to the tractor when using the mower.

1*You can do it, but I'm not sure it's recommended. The extra weight for one, especially with all the rain we've been getting around here. Also, like BXpanded said, it's not hard to remove these items. My loader takes less than 5 minutes and I've heard the BH is not too bad either.
2*What are your reasons for not wanting to remove them?

1*The BXs were made for it.
2*To much bother to often.

I am not sure about a BX24, but on my BX22 if you leave the BH on,
*the 3 PT arms hit the foot rest platform on the BH and do not allow the mower deck to lower fully. Also with the BH, you are back heavy and handling is not that great, especially in turns.
*they don't on my BX23.

paul

You can but make sure you disconnect the hoses. It is a real pain if you have any trees or obstacles though.

possible? yes. Practical? I would say its a preferance thing. As for me, I would prefer to take it off.
1*feels good to mow without BH on.
2* If you prefer to have it on, by all means go ahead, I think you will have the BH off in a week.

I can do that on my BX1500.
It's been over 4 years and the BH is still on my BX23.

Ya learn somethin new every day...Didn't read that in the manual (or maybe I overlooked it)..
.1*I've mowed quite a few hours with the hose still connected to the BH...Thanks for the heads up!
Don

1*1175 hours on my BX23 and hain't hurt a thing.

dud...gee, someone slap me... what great advice.... I normally drop the backhoe off, but sometime I will mow with it on, when traveling the field to a work site... taking a second to move the line makes a lot of since! thanks!!!

I take the FEL and BH off everytime I mow mostly because of the weight. If you do leave the BH on you're going to spend a lot of time watching behind you to make sure it doesn't swing into something when you turn or you're going to hit something.

I just received my new BX 25 yesterday and I did some mowing with the BH on. Someone mentioned that you can damage the control valve of the BH from pressure spikes if you do. How would you know if that happened?

 

[radioman]

1175 is considered low hours to me. SO whats happens at 4000 hrs or more ? Or will you sell it at 2500 hours to the unlucky buyer ?

Isn't better to err on the safe side like bxpanded recommends and loop the PB in? How would that hurt anything ?

Like others say- to each thier own.

 

[timswi]

I really have no idea why anyone would want to cut grass with the BH installed. You'd need to have the FEL on to balance the machine. This thing is pretty heavy all by itself, add another 1/3 ton and grass cutting (of any quality) would be diminshed exponentially.

I agree that is is a pain to remove the FEL & BH, but it only takes 10 minutes at best. I keep my BX in an AC & Heated garage that doesn't have the room to keep the parts separated, so it gets re-assembled after every cut.....Annoying, Yes!!...Difficult .....No!!!

I've tried cutting with everything installed, it's more trouble than it's worth. Like cutting grass with a brush-hog attached to a small pickup.

Can't imagine what LB's yard looks like cutting grass like this

 

[megaboz]

I really have no idea why anyone would want to cut grass with the BH installed. You'd need to have the FEL on to balance the machine. This thing is pretty heavy all by itself, add another 1/3 ton and grass cutting (of any quality) would be diminshed exponentially.

I agree that is is a pain to remove the FEL & BH, but it only takes 10 minutes at best. I keep my BX in an AC & Heated garage that doesn't have the room to keep the parts separated, so it gets re-assembled after every cut.....Annoying, Yes!!...Difficult .....No!!!

I've tried cutting with everything installed, it's more trouble than it's worth. Like cutting grass with a brush-hog attached to a small pickup.

Can't imagine what LB's yard looks like cutting grass like this

I was just thinking there is a xxxxx xxx in every crowd. I don't know about being a pain to remove the BH and FEL, I think getting it back on is a problem sometimes. But seriously, if you have any steep hills you will regret leaving the stuff on. It is pretty easy to catch trees, houses, cars, telephone poles and the like.

I usually just leave whatever off until I need it. Rarely do I remove the MMM except for fall and winter unless I am heavy in the dirt.

 

[Bolt Upright]

Welcome to TBN and congrats on your new machine...As far as damage to the control valve for your BH, I'd think you'd notice it with any operation(s) that fail to do what your lever's are telling it to...Enjoy that new 25!

Don

Thanks for the reply. The reason I asked is because after doing some mowing I used the BH to remove a stump and the dipperstick didn't seem to have a lot of power (small stump). I've read on here where the BH can draw the tractor towards the work and mine just stalled. I think it probably had to do with the fact I didn't have the RPM's up high enough.

 

[Bobcar]

Well I have mowed with mine on for 4 years now bh or fel never been off. with a
60"mmm on and nothing has broke .n.o.w.

 

[LBrown59]

1*I really have no idea why anyone would want to cut grass with the BH installed. You'd need to have the FEL on to balance the machine.
2*Can't imagine what LB's yard looks like cutting grass like this

1*Because I don't like the idea of fooling with changing things around 2 or 3 times or the wrong implement usually being on the tractor whenI want to do something with it.
2*Same as it looks with either of these Mowers.
Bx1500
CC GT 2554 setting just inside door way.

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

I really have no idea why anyone would want to cut grass with the BH installed. You'd need to have the FEL on to balance the machine. This thing is pretty heavy all by itself, add another 1/3 ton and grass cutting (of any quality) would be diminished exponentially.

Here's one opinion. My 2 acre lawn is a rural lawn not a putting green. It gets watered when it rains. Gov has passed a pesticide ban here so the weeds that were being held somewhat at bay will likely flourish. I tried cutting without the BH / FEL and day after the cut could so no difference compared to cutting with both attached.

With BH / FEL attached they are there and available for immediate use - even for the smallest of jobs. They don't sit around on the floor of the shed - usually stuck in the road. I don't have to clean up the inevitable oil seepage involved with coupling / uncoupling the hoses. I don't have to deal with with pressure locks in the FEL hoses.

The BH provides automatic ballast for FEL work - don't have to install the ballast box.

I could be wrong, but seat of the pants feels tells me the tractor is more stable on hills with BH / FEL installed.

The extra time gained by not R&R the BH / FEL gives me more time to sit with my feet up after the job and enjoy a cold beer.

Anyway - mowing with BH / FEL (approx. 5,000 #'s total ) attached works for me.