Landscaping tasks, looking at a BX24, will it be enough? Pictures included!

[LBrown59]

Was dark by the time I got back so I couldn't take pictures. One thing I've heard and agree with is it REALLY DOES needs better lighting.

1* I'll be looking at lighting options soon, speaking of which...
2*Does anybody know how to tell which alternator is installed on the machine?

1*The lite Idea
concerning lights on rops.
1. Use two lights rather than 4 lights. Mount them on a light bar that will swivel the lights up and down. I install the lights on the bar in a manner that will permit the lights to be rotated 360 degrees. The 360 degrees allows you to have light to the rear and front or both to the front or both to the rear.
Use magnets to mount the brackets for the light bar to the top rear edge of the rops instead of on top of the rops or under the top of the rops. Next bolt the ends of the light bar to the brackets with one bolt through each bracket into the bar.
Tighten the bolts just enough to hold the bar in place but loose enough to move it by hand. The swiveling light bar allows:
(A) Allows adjustment of the distance the lights shine out from the tractor.
(B) Gives more clearance above the lights and more head room under them.
(C) Lessens the chance of catching the lights on something overhead.
(D) Allows the lights to flip down if hit rather than breaking them.
(E) You can just flip the lights down to work under low hanging branches instead of having to remove them from the rops. However you still have the option of removing the bar and lights and unplugging the trailer connector.
*Advantages of the 360 degree rotation *
(A) Permits two lights instead of requiring 4 lights, thus reducing current flow.
(B) Lights can be turned both to front or both to rear. Or they can be turned one to front and one to rear. They can also be used for side lighting. Swiveling lights can provide illumination 360 degrees around the tractor.
Adjustment from one position to another is instant by hand. No wrenches or tools required.
A low profile light preferred over high profile lights.
I've been using this system of combining a rotating light bar with swivel mounted lights to install fog and driving lights on my pickups successfully for years.
More thoughts on lights.
Use a dual direction light with a clear lens on both sides that will cast light to the front and rear at the same time.
Thinking about experimenting with a hanging swing light magnetically attached to the cross member of the FEL to illuminate the bucket shadow when using the head lights.
L.B.
I would not disconnect the head lights but would run the extra lights connected to the key on side of the ignition switch and a separate switch in the line between the connection and the lights. You could also use a switch for / on each light if you desire to control each lite separately.
The reason I prefer going through the key switch is because you can't forget to turn the lights off and run the battery down.
I use a 10 AMP Fuse.
>>> >>> >>>> >>>>
2*Note if you use this method you won't have to worry about the alternator.

 

[LBrown59]

Too bad I wasn't around with my DX33. You could have used it instead and spent the rest of the day drinking beer and watching football. Sorry, I just love getting the BX guys all riled up.

I would have loved to upgrade to the DX40 with the 84" deck, the weight of the next size tractor was more than I wanted to put on my yard though.

U can go to big just as you can go 2 small.
The ideal is a small med. and large.

 

[AndyM]

U can go to big just as you can go 2 small.
The ideal is a small med. and large.

Not everyone can afford three different sizes of tractors.
Hence the reason of trying to find one size to handle most tasks around the property.

 

[Timber]

Dam that think looks sweet, I was out with mine all weekend clearing back brush and knocking over trees. I'm getting ready for burn season in a couple of weeks. I took off the tooth bar for winter just in case the snow gets deep. But it was 70 on Saturday, go figure. I even washed it for the 1st time. I imagine you were playing all weekend LOL, Did you order a tooth bar for the loader. They are rather cheep and well worth it. I highly recommend one. Aside from the increased digging ability it adds considerable strength to the cutting edge

 

[Taiser]

Yeah I'm thinking about a tooth bar, but I'll wait until spring to try it out as it is. Like the pictures show, I don't have big trees so I might be good with just the standard bucket lip and the BH, but a toothbar is definetly something I'll look into.

I haven't used it much yet, I've been working all weekend and it's dark here by 6 at this time of year so I just tried out the BH and backbladed the driveway a bit. So far I'm REALLY impressed though! I'm keeping the throttle low during the break in but it just tanked it's way through the icy brush no problem and it's was not even in 4x4!!! Compared to my CUB this is a cadilac, rides smooth, much quieter too. The only bad thing is the puff of black smoke that comes out on start up and lingers in my garage when it's cold , but that goes away after a few seconds and it's a small price to pay for a diesel!

I'm off starting Tuesday and off next weekend, so I'll be playing with it a lot more and hopefully get some decent pictures to post too. I'd like to get the 50 hours on it before spring and get the first maintenance check out of the way so I can start the heavy work and run it full tilt and not worry about damaging anything

Timber, how many hours is yours at now? Any problems with it so far?

 

[Timber]

Off hand I am not sure how many hours but I think it is around 35 or so. If your not cutting grass with it it is hard to put hours on it. The hours are don't reflect actual hours. It depends on rpms and wheel speed. at least that is how it was explained to me. I have done a lot of work with mine. I have been digging a water garden with it and cleared all kinds of land. I have a PHD and laid about 400 feet of fence and planted all kind of stuff with it. The tooth bar for breaking ground and uprooting shrub and brush and back raking all in one move. The more you use it the better you get with the controls. I have had no problems with it, I have been very impressed with what it can do. I never do anything over idle it just power's through everything. The only reason to jump the RPMs is for specific attachments the require high idle like tillers and mowers and probably chippers but for digging your good at idle

 

[jk96]

The only bad thing is the puff of black smoke that comes out on start up and lingers in my garage when it's cold

kinda funny, alot of us hear find this as a benefit. Love that smell.

 

[Glowplug]

kinda funny, alot of us hear find this as a benefit. Love that smell.

Love the smell of burning diesel in the morning. It smells like. . . .VICTORY!

 

[jk96]

Taiser,

Just please don't tell us your a poop picker upper as well. Thingy (TBN member) will begin to seriously question your manhood. -----See thread below

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rural-living/92908-dog-poop-yard-question.html

 

[LBrown59]

Yeah I'm thinking about a tooth bar, but I'll wait until spring to try it out as it is. Like the pictures show,
I don't have big trees
1*so I might be good with the standard bucket lip and the BH,
but a toothbar is definetly something I'll look into.
2*Compared to my CUB this is a cadilac, rides smooth, much quieter too.

1*All I had last winter when I grubbed six-tenths of an acre covered with heavy brush and very dense 2 to 8 '' thick trees. The BX23 done an amazing job clearing that land.
2*Compared to my CC GL2554 the BX23 is also a Cadilac that rides smoother and quieter. But the CC definitely has it's place as I can do things with it that I can't do with the BX23.
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