Kubota BX1500 engine

Shy_guy0324 · Apr 18, 2004

Hi
I'm seriously looking at a Kubota BX1500, but I'm a bit hesitant of the engine.
It seems like they have used the same engine as the BX1800/2200, less one cylinder. What I am saying is it sounds like a 3 cylinder engine that is missing on one cylinder.
Does the crank shaft on this engine not have the cylinders 180 degrees apart? On the 3 cylinder engine they would be 120 degrees apart. I can't believe they would have a 2 cylinder engine with the crank set to 120 degrees and missing the 3rd cylinder!
Does this explain the need for the "balancing weight"?
The BX1500 is still a bit over kill for me, but having the loader and 4wd is like my 4x4 pickup... I don't need it 98% of the time, but its the 2% when you do need it that justifies the cost!

Thanks for your feedback and experiences with this machine!
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MessickFarmEqu · Apr 19, 2004

Suggestion... go drive one! If you concerned about vibration actualy starting one up should answer this question for you. I am not certian how the cyliners are aligned. What I can tell you is as soon as the throttle passes 25% its smooth as can be. Yea, the 3 cyliner versions are smoother at idol. At faster seems I can't tell a difference.

SteveM · Apr 19, 2004

Most japanese diesel tractors up til about 1988 or so were 2 cylinder - so it isnt like these guys took a hack saw to the BX2200 engine. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif I have owned 3 circa 1980's diesel 2cyl tractors (one a kubota) and can attest to their power and durability. Yes they do shake more at idle, hence the counter weight, but they are torquey and great on fuel. I wouldnt hesitate for a second to buy the BX 1500 based on concern about the engine. Start it up, hook it to a big diesel tank, and you could probably come back in 2 yrs to find it running perfectly /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

These things are virtually indestructible.

Henro · Apr 19, 2004

The BX1500 is still a bit over kill for me, but having the loader and 4wd is like my 4x4 pickup... I don't need it 98% of the time, but its the 2% when you do need it that justifies the cost!


Hard for us to get a feel for your situation as you don't mention much about the size of your property and things like that.

I will bet you will need/want/use the loader a lot more than 2% of the time though! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

I wanted a small tractor but did not like that weight on top of the bx1500 engine. I know Kubota makes a small 2-cylinder without the weight for use in their small tractors in Japan. I ended up buying the BX2200.

 The BX1500 is still a bit over kill for me... 

Again, not sure of your situation, but keep in mind that one member here, RickJay, has a B2910 on 2/3 of an acre and has been quite happy with it for the last couple(or more) years... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Who knows, maybe after you get a real tractor you will find what you get is actually not enough to satisfy your "needs." /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

chucko · Apr 19, 2004

it sounds to me like he wants a bigger tractor and wants us to say he should get it (that way he can tell his wife he did what we said to do) /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Anyhow I was looking at/ wanting a bx1500 for my 1 acre but found that the 1800 did not cost as much because most people were getting the 1500 or jumping right over the 1800 up the the 2200. So now I have the biggest "lawn mower" on my block

TheKid · Apr 19, 2004

I just took a look at the parts book and the crank is 180 degrees apart so I don't know what causes the vibration.

Like you said the loader and 4X4 aren't used most of the time, but it sure is nice to have them. My loader got a good workout this weekend moving mulch, and then helping a neighbor spread 20 yards of top soil. He had a Bobcat to move it to the general location and then the 1500 did all the fine tuning. Tonight I'll drop the weight box and the FEL (a ten minute job) and cut the grass.

Shy_guy0324 · Apr 19, 2004

I've got just under an acre of property. Its a new house so we still have some landscaping to do.
I'm in Canada, the cost to go up to the BX1800 is another 2800.00 plus its a tad bigger overall.
I'm thinking that a BX1500 with FEL and 48"MMM and 48" rear snowblower should do me fine for the rest of this liftime!

I'm glad to hear the crank is at 180 degrees. I was just worried abit that they might have been doing the same thing the automakers have done in the past!

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To20Chris · Apr 19, 2004

If the crank throws are truly 180 degrees out, then the firing interval is uneven. The engine will be in primary balance (one piston goes down while the other is coming up), but there may be a rocking couple (front to back) .

If the crank throws are at the same angle, then the firing order will be even, but it will rely on the counterwieghts to balance the pistons, and there will be a larger second order (twice the crank speed) vibration. This is like a single in terms of balance, but with twice as many firings every 2 revolutions.

At the low speeds these things spin, you can get away with just about anything. Generally, you notice uneven firing intervals much more, especially if you are only listening. I've never seen the innards, but all the 2 cylinder tractors I've heard sound like they are firing unevenly, so I'm betting they have 180 degree cranks? It really won't be a problem as far as reliability goes, it is just a matter of how smooth it is and if it bothers you.

kevinj · Apr 19, 2004

I own a bx-1500 and will have to side with Messick. At a fast idle and up it is smooth. As to the crank throw at 180° you only have 2 fire strokes per revolution where the 1800 & 2200 have 3 per revolution so ther is a noticble rotational vibration at idle which the weight dampens. You can't make any use of this type of tractor at an idle anyway. You need 1/2 throttle or better for the hydro to work right and 2/3 0r better for PTO items like a mower or blower.

Cecil · Apr 19, 2004

( Hard for us to get a feel for your situation as you don't mention much about the size of your property and things like that.
)

The question asked did not require such information. The man is asking a speciic queation about an engine, not a tractor choice!

Don't read too much into the question.