Cut with BX-2200 first time today. Impressions

[Builder]

Nothing like getting your BX delivered with a 60" MMM salivating for some tall grass then getting 5 DAYS of RAIN!

Today the grass was still damp, but I couldn't wait to try it out. I cut a 1 acre paddock and was pretty impressed. Grass was 12-15" tall. Set deck at 4" and it just blew through it like it was nothing. The wet clippings shot out pretty strong. I have to laugh because my customer has a "26HP" Sears tractor with a 54" deck. I got on that thing and it felt like a POS. 26HP my arse! :laughing: A few blades of the tougher rye remained standing, but I attribute this to the wet heavy nature of the grass.

I may have bought a used tractor with a weak battery, or maybe I just don't know how this one likes to be started. It was a little hesitant to start and spun rather slowly when cranked. Took me 3 tries and she finally fired over with a real hammering. Once she wamed-up, she smoothed out and was actually pretty quiet. My M-7040 starts quicker than you can let go of the key.

Tomorrow, if it dries out a little more (it's showering right now) I will cut another 3-6 acres. The upgraded seat makes a big difference. A tilt wheel would have been nice, little bit too vertical for me, but otherwise it feels like a cuttin machine! :thumbsup:

 

[bp fick]

Glad you are enjoying it.

On the battery, it could be weak.

But, glow the plugs for 6 full Mississippi counts. As the weather gets colder, two cycles of 6 full counts. First "turn" of the key, is just hot, with fuel pump ticking. Turn it a half turn farther and see the yellow glow plug symbol. At least that was my dashboard on the 1860. Yours might be different?

Believe it or not, crack the throttle a full 1/3 before starting and leave throttle at 1750 RPM. That's the manual's procedure. They hammer a bit, but less if the RPM isn't down on 1300. "Idle" on these is higher than might be expected.

 

[Builder]

OK, great to know. M requires no GP action when it's warm and very little even when cold.
Sounds like the 3-banger is a little cold blooded???

 

[bp fick]

Builder, I tell you what. If you glow it a bit, ala the manual, 4-6 seconds with the throttle cracked 1/3, you'll never have a better, and quicker starter. I mean instant!!! Really.

As temps get colder, I mean really cold, cycle the GP twice. At zero weather, three cycles. Bang!!! It'll start on first crank, Honest.

I also run a splash of the White Bottle Diesel Services. Don't know if it does much, but hey, a little snake oil never hurts.

 

[Builder]

Thanks!:thumbsup:

 

[rdsaustintx]

Just to be contrarian, my BX starts immediately after the starter engages. Bump the key as fast as possible and it fires right up. Never use the glow plugs (but I'm in Texas).

 

[BigD23]

I'm a glow plug user...Here in Orygun.

Don

 

[TripleR]

My experience with my BX2200/2660 mirrors that of bp fick. It will start without gp, but a little slower and blows more smoke.

I mowed a lot of stuff with both of mine I probably shouldn't, but neither ever skipped a beat, great little machines.

 

[Builder]

Anything you guys have done to your BX's to make them better?
There's no way to set the rear tires wider, right?

 

[TripleR]

Anything you guys have done to your BX's to make them better?
There's no way to set the rear tires wider, right?

I got under belly and tie rod protectors for my 2660, but haven't put them on yet. I tore the boots on it mowing in really tall briers brush etc.

You can get rear wheel spacers from Bro Tek.

 

[radioman]

Anything you guys have done to your BX's to make them better?
There's no way to set the rear tires wider, right?

There are wheel spacers sold on ebay for BX's, but its pricy.

As for me, making the BX better means add-ons accessories. I never felt the need to tweak engine or tranny or whatnots. I guess its all depends on your point of view.

 

[bp fick]

There is a number of folks selling wheel spacers. Personally, if I had to widen the rear stance it would not have been as drastic as some spacers offered. I'd maybe try to find some 1" spacers, for a gain of two inches overall. To each his own, but some of the effects are over done with what I've seen.

Saw hdap type tires on a RTV at Kubota today that I thought would be absolutely awesome on a BX. Didn't have time to dig into sizes though. Sorry.

 

[Builder]

Can't do HDAP's on BX2200. They don't make a front tire in HDAP tread same size as BX front tire.

Would be awesome, though.

I mowed for 7 hours today. Tractor just plowed through 15" tall field grass like nothing. Blades are dull, so it didn't cut perfect, but it never bogged down at all.
Found out my fuel guage is broken. It reads full when it's full, but by the time it reads 3/4 tank, it's empty. Found out the hard way-ran her out of fuel.

Anyone know what the unused wired back by the PTO are for? Extra work lights maybe?
There's also an unused wire with a connector under the hood. Anyone know what it's for?

 

[Tom_H]

Sounds to me like you didn't have fuel all throughout the system from the tank to pump to injectors. What you describe is the same thing I hear when I run out of fuel, refuel, then wait for the pump to send the fresh fuel. When the first traces of fuel finally arrive, all that knocking occurs.

I always use the glow plugs, regardless of the outside temperature, unless the motor is already hot from having been run. 100 degrees from the sun is not the same as 180 degrees on a recently running motor. The engine may well start after only 2 or 3 revs, but I want combustion on the first rev. I just think it's less strain, wear, and tear that way.

 

[radioman]

You mean these show in my pic? yup- its a switched aux power. as for extra wire under hood, I am not certain which one you are referring to since I don't have any extras unless i missed it somehow.

 

[CHDinCT]

Anyone know what the unused wired back by the PTO are for? Extra work lights maybe?
There's also an unused wire with a connector under the hood. Anyone know what it's for?

No idea on the under hood wire (heater fan?), but the one at the rear should be for the optional rear work light. That's what I used mine for. Works off a relay from the ignition switch.

As far as making them better, I guess the question is better for what? Things I've added to mine include the factory dual rear remotes, HTL, ROPs lights, rear work light, arm rests, and rear skid plate, but if you're keeping your MMM on at all times, you won't need to worry about a skid plate to prevent a stick getting to the plastic HST fan. Have fun with it.

 

[Builder]

OK, so the wires at the back are hot when the ignition is on, or when the lights are turned on? In other words, I hook a light to the rear wires, how is it switched "'on"?

Would really like a large front brush guard. I have to nose into brush and under trees w/ low hanging branches way too often to mow. I don't see my plastic grille lasting very long. I know K has a factory brush bar. I think I need it.

 

[bp fick]

OK, so the wires at the back are hot when the ignition is on, or when the lights are turned on? In other words, I hook a light to the rear wires, how is it switched "'on"?

Would really like a large front brush guard. I have to nose into brush and under trees w/ low hanging branches way too often to mow. I don't see my plastic grille lasting very long. I know K has a factory brush bar. I think I need it.

You get more protection from the B23,24 brush guard. It has the big BX cut into it. Provides far more protection.

Check Ebay. That's where I got mine for 60% of dealer cost.
$100 shipped.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Kubota-BX-Front...aultDomain_0&hash=item41508db48e#ht_590wt_678

 

[Builder]

That is really cool. What does the other one look like?

Is there a black one that looks less customized?

 

[bp fick]

The other Kubota grill is painted orange, and just has a couple of pipes across.
Ya takes yur choice. Either could be painted whatever color one wishes.

Kubota only makes these two different BX grill guards. Of course, there may be aftermarket folks, but the market is only so big. Most guys get their grill guard from Kubota, at time of purchase, or don't get one at all.

We're not talking after market size comparable to the F-150