High/Low Observation

[jesseb3@att.net]

I don't know how to start a poll (or if I even can start a poll), but I am surprised at how many people use low range, as frequently as they do. I'm wondering why there is such a fear of high range? If the tranny isn't struggling at all, you can limit your speed with that pedal on the right... that's what it's there for, right?

Me?
Mowing
I can't imagine mowing three+ acres in low... I ain't got that kind of time. Hills, flat ground, whatever... it's in high. My buddy mows at top speed in high and gets a great cut with a BX2230, while my BX2350 has to run a bit slower for some reason to get a good cut, but it's still in high. It's in 4WD when on hills for braking ability, but otherwise, it's in 2WD.

Driving around
It's in high, loaded FEL or not. Trying to go up a hill, or if the FEL is heavily loaded, the tranny works too hard. It goes in low. BTW - I use a box blade as a counter weight, no wheel weights. I control my speed with the HST pedal.

FEL Scooping/Pushing
I drop to low, because again, high doesn't have the oomph needed.

Ground engaging implements
Goes in low, needs the oomph.

Safety statement
Do NOT use high range and 2WD, on hills, with an FEL. In fact, don't you dare try to drive across the hill with an FEL, loaded or not, until you know the limits of your tractor. There, got that out of the way.

Since you can control your speed with the HST pedal, why does it seem that some are afraid of switching to high? If I had read some of these posts regarding the use of low to mow, I wouldn't have bought my BX.

I don't mean this post to come across as a personal attack on anyone - I'm just trying to understand it.

Jesse

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Wellll Jesseee I'll just tell yuh! My yards rough, ditched, rocked, hilly and treed. I've never needed any more speed than what slow will do with the pedal to the metal. Yes, the speed can be changed with the pedal in slow just like in high. If I did high I would have to be changing it frequently back down to low because of my property terrain. Hate to think you would have not bought a tractor to mow because you read one of my posts for using low. Glad you didn't read one and went ahead and got yourself a tractor that you can use however you want to, I don't really mind that you use high or low just whatever makes you happy. I do use high and 2wd when I drive down the road at a high nose bleeding rate of speed! The road is paved and level. Chill out Jesseeeee and let us drive ours however we want and you go right ahead and keep er in high. I think your doing it the right way. Course I rarely drive my WRX in the higher gears, by the time I get past 3rd I'm in jail.

 

[PUSHINDIRT]

Hey Jess,

Since I don't have alot of grass yet, I usually tool around in Med 4/WD. Since I'm just moving stone, sand, and brush I find this seems to be the right balance of traction and speed. If my wife is on my case, I usually do the work in L!

 

[jesseb3@att.net]

I should've been more clear in my post. I'm talking about the BX owners... you guys with that bigger equipment, well, you've got different set ups altogether.

The BX is a crawl in low. You can walk faster.

Sorry for not specifying the model better.

 

[radioman]

I'm with jesse on this one. I use high most of the time. I drop down to low for easy fine movement, easy towing/pushing, easy engine running. If I even suspect the engine gonna work too hard, I drop down to low. No need to overwork engine. So I guess it gonna be my phrase, go high all the way till you need the power.

 

[BigD23]

I use the appropriate gear range for whatever application needed at that time...No fear of high range.

Don

 

[TripleR]

I use the appropriate gear range for whatever application needed at that time...No fear of high range.

Don

Me too; I do the same thing on my 60 and 80 horse tractors as I do on my BX.

 

[rdsaustintx]

I'm wondering why there is such a fear of high range?

Sonic booms

This is a silly thread.

 

[milkman]

I'm with Jesse, if I'd read the threads on here about everything the BX can't do, like some can't use CAT1 implements, or hydrostat can't be used for ground engaging implements, I would have bought something else. This tractor is the right size for me and what I do, glad I didn't go bigger. I mow in high range, hills and all, would never get done in low. I stay in high unless I'm using the FEL to load the bucket, when moving I'm in high even over the rough stuff I can slow to a crawl in high range, I ain't skeered.

 

[thavil]

I tend to use low range more than high only because of the abrupt reverse stop "feature" on my 50 series tractor.

 

[TheFlatlander]

I tend to use low range more than high only because of the abrupt reverse stop "feature" on my 50 series tractor.

Bummer...Mowing generally requires many direction changes and that would be annoying.

 

[Volfandt]

Hi range and 2wd atleast 90% of the time. That 90% is spent finish mowing sans the FEL & BH. The BX23 is as nimble as a premium GT configured like that

Serious digging usually gets 4wd and Lo.

Generally the engine and HST will let you know whether you can stay in Hi or need to shift to Lo. On the flip side the terrain will dictate operation in 2wd or 4wd.
I prefer to use 4wd only as needed as it effects manuverability but YUMV.....

Just pay attention to the signs, the tractor and Mother nature will let you know what they want

 

[TheFlatlander]

High range for most anything-Mowing, transport, loader, York raking, and definitely snow plowing. These tractors aren't really that fast in high range. Turn the RPMs up like its designed and I cut grass as fast as I can maneuver in high range. That is the reason that these BX's are rated at the HP at a higher rpm than the larger tractors. they like the RPM's to get to the optimum blade speed when cutting. These were designed first to cut grass and than to do other tasks. As for snow plowing, I wish that the high range would move even faster.

Now for the low range, this is very useful for aggressive ground engagement and when pulling on very heavy objects. Its really nice to have this as an option. Truthfully the BX series tractor is very overpowered and can perform many tasks for the size of the platform

 

[timswi]

Never tried mowing in high, would think it would leave some standing grass. I'm in low most of the time, unless running from job to job around the property, or running it down the hard road to remove the Great Dane residue from the tires, that's high range, high RPM

Low & 4wd for FEL work always.

 

[Deano]

I tend to use low range more than high only because of the abrupt reverse stop "feature" on my 50 series tractor.

Holy crap Tod, you are going to get the whole crowd going on that subject again!!!:

I use whatever the job dictates, or if I am in a hurry or not!!

Deano

 

[mswlogo]

I used high on BX24 when running a box blade. It did make me concerned I was over working transmission though. I could smell something when I ran in high. I was told this is warm oil smell coming out the vent and it was not hurting anything.

Should have my gear drive B2320 tomorrow to take over with 9 speeds and a gas peddal, should be interesting.

 

[thavil]

Holy crap Tod, you are going to get the whole crowd going on that subject again!!!:

I use whatever the job dictates, or if I am in a hurry or not!!

Deano

Not wanting to bring that up again at all! Just wanted to chime in why I use low range mainly instead of high range. The "feature" dictates my way of operating the tractor!!

 

[megaboz]

I've tried to use high range when cutting grass, but with the pedal matted to the floor it is too fast. Lo range is a little slow, but at least I can keep the pedal on the floor and have my leg nice and stretched out. The way these things bounce on the bumps, well, I would prefer to keep my kidneys a little longer and it is a harder to regulate the speed when bouncing up and down on rough to terrain. Thank god for the seat belt or I would've been thrown off the tractor already.

Also, I noticed when in high, when taking off can be a bit too quick with certain conditions, so low gives a little slower throttle response and keeps the butt clinching down to a respectable level.

The biggest problem I have with the dang thing in HI is that the hills I have to go up are too steep and I end up going as fast as when I am in low, and that is if I can make it up the hill.

I think that most people will drive the tractor at the speed that best suits their need and what they feel is safe, so for some it is low and some it is in high. I also don't think bouncy through rough or even semi rough terrain in high is all that good on the axles, let alone your own body.

Oh well, that is my opinion, Low usually gets my job done.

 

[DavidAubke]

I only use high for transport. All work is done in low.

I mow about 4 acres in low range with a bush hog. I only make half-width passes so I get a better cut and don't leave rows of clumped clippings. It takes forever but I love it. It's one of my favorite pastimes.

I agree with megaboz. I tried high range but the bumps just beat the snot out of me and my tractor. I don't like having to modulate the throttle.. just put the pedal down and set the cruise lock.

I was out just last evening as the sun was setting. A fog settled in as the full moon rose and lightning bugs started coming out. I got to enjoy it all because my eyeballs weren't shaking out of their sockets as I cruised around the field.

 

[Volfandt]

I only use high for transport. All work is done in low.

I mow about 4 acres in low range with a bush hog. I only make half-width passes so I get a better cut and don't leave rows of clumped clippings. It takes forever but I love it. It's one of my favorite pastimes.

Ultimately, this is what counts the most
(Even tho I arrive at the same results in Hi)