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

[Bolt Upright]

After reading my owner's manual for my BX 25, it does say not to use the mower with the BH attached, but doesn't say why. Also when the delivery guy drop off the tractor and went over the tractor he didn't say anything about not using the tractor with the BH attached. But then again, he went over everything very quickly and left. I just don't want to ruin my new tractor.

 

[LBrown59]

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.
1*I tried cutting without the BH / FEL and day after the cut could so no difference compared to cutting with both attached.
.

A little photo test:
Which areas were mowed with which tractor ?
BX23 I Mow with FEL & BH attached
BX1500 I mow with just the MMM attached.
Mowed Areas





Can you tell me what tractor mowed where in these pictures?

 

[Volfandt]

Takes me less than 10 minutes to dismount both the FEL & BH and about the same to remount. Don't even break a sweat. 5 - 10 extra minutes doesn't cut into any of my spare time .......

Never had the problem of having the wrong implement mounted either, I guess I must plan correctly.....

Sure would be pretty hard to hook up my cyclone rake w/ the BH mounted.....

My lawn has been a work in progress for yrs. I've got some nice grass growing where the hardpan clay wouldn't let me get it started before. Regular plug aerating and keeping it from compacting has been the key. Mowing it with my BX23, less 1000lbs of un-needed weight, i.e the FEL & BH keeps the compaction to the minimum plus the added benefit of the BX23 sans the FEL & BH, makes it more nimble which has cut way down on mowing time. I can cut in high gear just about as fast as the BX can go without worry about hitting obstacles. Talk about not cutting into ones spare time .....
In MY case, I NEVER mow w/the FEL & BH on, too many disadvantages for me .......
Course I don't have anything against those that do. Whatever cranks your tractor.......

re. OP's question. There is no mention in the owners manual nor was there any mention by my dealer to not mow w/the FEL & BH mounted.
Other than the additional weight, the only problem I could see w/the BX23 is that the 3ph arms won't drop down enough to let the MMM mow lower than 2" or so. I mow @3 - 3.5" so it wouldn;t effect me anyways.

There was a change in the BH valves from the BX22/BX23 to the newer BX24/BX25 and the new valve may not be designed to carry the highly heated SUDT fluid for extended mowing times. In any case, as been pointed out, keeping the BH "looped out" may be the best practice when mowing w/a BX24/BX25 w/the FEL & BH mounted.

 

[timswi]

A little photo test:
Which areas were mowed with which tractor ?

From the pictures, you're obviously ok with a different lawn quality than I am. Whatever floats your boat...

 

[LBrown59]

A little photo test:
Which areas were mowed with which tractor ?

*From the pictures, you're obviously ok with a different lawn quality than I am. Whatever floats your boat...

That wasn't the question.
I repeat;Which areas were mowed with which tractor ?

 

[Bolt Upright]

In the owners manual for the BX25, on page 47, in the hydraulic unit section, under the header "installing mower" it says, "do not attach nor operate the mower with the backhoe still in place".

 

[KeithInSpace]

I've read all the replies and some are quite humerous. There were a couple of points I'd like to make, though.

Mowing with the BH and FEL attached absolutely raises the COG of the machine.

I'm not sure I understand why you need to detatch the BH hydraulics, but it doesn't seem like a bad idea.

If I mowed any acreage without slope or tree and didn't have to get particularly close to the house, I'd probably consider leaving the FEL, BH, and MMM attached, using the machine as such. But it is very heavy.

As others have mentioned, I leave the MMM on for the better part of the summer, even with the BH attached. I run a bagger unit, so the BH comes off whenever I mow. I generally leave it like that, using the bagger as ballast with the FEL. Only when I'm doing REAL dirt work where the MMM would get in the way does it come off. Or if I'm transporting it for work at one of my parents' houses.

Bagger notwithstanding, I could not imagine mowing with all that weight. If I take my time, it takes 30 minutes to remove FEL and BH and install MMM and bagger. With the MMM installed and in a rush, I could get mowing in under 15 mins.

With slopes, the weight, the lack of maneuverability, and the horrible ride with the FEL and BH attached (it 'bounds' back and forth a lot more, I think), I just assume remove them.

 

[KeithInSpace]

I repeat;Which areas were mowed with which tractor?

I think that is his point, Mr. Brown. We can't tell. That statement doesn't imply that your yard is so absolutely spectacular that we can't tell where you drive your BX23 with R1 tires and FEL and BH attached.

Said another way, if you mowed half my yard with your BX23 (FEL, BH, R1 tires) and half with my machine (turf tires and bagger with no FEL or BH), I absolutely assure you, 110% certain, without any doubt in my mind, put a million dollars on it, you WOULD be able to tell quite easily which was "your" half.

That's not a bad thing...you have wonderful acreage and perhaps mowing the way you do is perfect for your house, your lawn, and your setting. But that doesn't mean it would work for everyone.

I'm quite certain it wouldn't work for me.

 

[timswi]

I think that is his point, Mr. Brown. We can't tell. That statement doesn't imply that your yard is so absolutely spectacular that we can't tell where you drive your BX23 with R1 tires and FEL and BH attached.

Amen, brother...Amen. I fertilize and cut at 3.5 inches. If I go throgh the yard with all that stuff on it, the yard looks like a tri-axle went through.

Not sure if this is the same thread, but someone mentioned float on the FEL...Didn't know that...WoooHoo...Thanks guys, my life just got much easier...Must have missed that in the manual, or didnt push the controller hard enough..5 years and didn't figure that out...My bad!!!

 

[LBrown59]

I think that is his point, Mr. Brown. We can't tell. That statement doesn't imply that your yard is so absolutely spectacular that we can't tell where you drive your BX23 with R1 tires and FEL and BH attached.

Amen, brother...Amen. I fertilize and cut at 3.5 inches. If I go throgh the yard with all that stuff on it, the yard looks like a tri-axle went through.

Not sure if this is the same thread, but someone mentioned float on the FEL...Didn't know that...WoooHoo...Thanks guys, my life just got much easier...Must have missed that in the manual, or didnt push the controller hard enough..5 years and didn't figure that out...My bad!!!

Float also works with the front blade on my BX1500.