Honda GX-series engines for use on steep slopes

[Jens767]

Hi


Most engines - also on 2-wheel tractors - are limited to operate within certain slope limits, mostly due to the risk of inadequate lubrication of vital engine parts. With some implements like mowers, power barrows or trailers, these limits might be exceeded depending on the actual terrain in question. The GX-series of Honda engines for instance, should not operate on slopes greater than 20 degree (36 %), according to my Owner's Manual.

In order to be able to operate on steeper slopes - especially when mowing, Honda and BCS have developed a series of modified GX-engines that are capable of coping with slopes exceeding 35 degrees (70 %):

NEWS EIMA 2014: HONDA 'ALPS' ENGINES

GardenTV - Alps new engines for steep angles

Whether it is possible to retrofit existing GX-engines to the Alps-specifications, I do not know. I also found it difficult to find out which BCS tractors are available with these modified engines. The only ones I found, was the BCS 660 HY WS:

Bcs e Honda in partnership per i nuovi motori "high inclination"

the 620/630 Max and the 630 WS Max:

Gebrüder Prinz GmbH: Motormäher BCS Importeur / Grosshändler Serie 600, 610, 615, 615L, 620, 630, 630WS Max, 650

The 3 tractors mentioned above, are all dedicated mowers, that will operate with front mounted implements only!

I have not been able to find any of the more versatile BCS-models that we normally talk about in this forum, equipped with the modified engines.


Best regards

Jens

 

[Garandman]

Sehr Interessant!

 

[NibbanaFarm]

Does this mean that it's not okay to set the BCS tractor down with the motor on the ground when there's no implement attached to keep it level?

 

[Bentleg]

Thanks

 

[Jens767]

Hi NibbanaFarm


In the English section of my Owner's Manual for the Honda GX240, GX270, GX340, and GX390 engines, the wording is: "Do not operate the engine on slopes greater than 20 degrees (36 %)".

As I read the word "operate" it refers to the engine running. The GX-series engines are designed with a simple splash lubrication system, where a little dipper at the lower end of the connecting rod scups up oil onto the moving parts of the engine. If the engine is tilted more than 20 degrees, there is probably a risk that the dipper will not be able to reach the oil in the crankcase, and the moving parts might be insufficiently cooled and lubricated.

Here is a short video showing the principle of splash lubrication:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOl_uRSp4gw

If you have no spill of oil or fuel, I see no problem in parking your tractor with the engine resting on the ground, when it is not running. I place a plastic bucket upside-down under my engine, to keep the tractor more or less level.


Best regards

Jens

 

[NibbanaFarm]

Well, I finally got a chance to get out there Jens. It was difficult to measure exactly because I had cardboard on the floor. But as far as I can tell, with the engine sitting on the ground, it's at an 18-20 degree angle. This is with 5x10x20 ag tires. So I guess it's okay to run it that way. I have done that too.