Low Power BX2200

[GreenDuramax04]

I have a BX2200 and it seems to be having low power. I've only had it a couple months and its been running fine until recently. When going up hill cutting grass the RPMS start getting low and it just seems like its lacking power. I havent noticed this problem until last week. I changed both fuel filters and checked the air filter. I did run it low on fuel last week and most of the trouble started after I filled it back up with diesel. Maybe there is some water in the tank? Lift pump getting weak? Anything else I should look for?

 

[Hay Dude]

Check to see if theres already crap in your new in line filter. You may have run it low on fuel and even though you changed filters, the crap may still be getting sucked up into new filter.

 

[rich bx]

I have a BX2200 and it seems to be having low power. I've only had it a couple months and its been running fine until recently. When going up hill cutting grass the RPMS start getting low and it just seems like its lacking power. I havent noticed this problem until last week. I changed both fuel filters and checked the air filter. I did run it low on fuel last week and most of the trouble started after I filled it back up with diesel. Maybe there is some water in the tank? Lift pump getting weak? Anything else I should look for?

I've been plagued with intermittent starting running issues for years with my BX. Run it infrequently, I imagine that contributed to the problem. I put a Racor water bowl filter on it. The first Time I went to use it after that (maybe 4 weeks sitting inside garage during this last wet spring) there was an inch of water at the bottom of the bowl. I released the trapped water using the drain screw at the bottom of the bowl. Starts and runs strong ever since.

 

[Roadworthy]

If you've not done so, you might consider going through the bleeding procedure to eliminate residual air. You could also try running fuel directly out of the tank into a can to see if you have good steady flow from the tank. This will tell you if there's an obstruction in there.

 

[Henro]

I believe on the Kubota BX models the bleeding procedure is simply turning on the key and letting the electric fuel pump bleed air from the system.

Worked for me a couple times when I ran my BX out of fuel...that’s about once every nine years on average...

 

[GreenDuramax04]

After it was running crappy I drained the tank by disconnecting the fuel line at the injector pump and turn on the key. I tossed the first 1/2 gallon, replaced the filters and refilled the tank with the diesel because it didnt look bad and didnt seem to have any water in it. Now it starts and runs fine but still seems like the power is low. I might just drain it again and try new fuel.

 

[civilian]

On my BX2230, I have noticed the RPMs drop, but my problem was corrected by pushing the hand throttle higher/faster, etc. The spring return of the hand throttle was stronger than the locking screw/mechanism to hold the throttle in one position. Under the dash I was able to tighten the locking item. (Don't remember what it was, but it was obvious at the time.) This may not be related to your problem, though.

 

[GreenDuramax04]

Without a tach it sounds to me like I'm running the correct RPM when at full throttle. But while cutting grass up hill the RPMs are dropping. Especially when running the bagger off the rear PTO. I've run the tractor 1-2 hours since I drained it and it still seems low on power. I know my lift pump is working but maybe its a little weak.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Without a tach it sounds to me like I'm running the correct RPM when at full throttle. But while cutting grass up hill the RPMs are dropping. Especially when running the bagger off the rear PTO. I've run the tractor 1-2 hours since I drained it and it still seems low on power. I know my lift pump is working but maybe its a little weak.

That combination is probably just using all its power

 

[GreenDuramax04]

That combination is probably just using all its power

Maybe I just have more expectation of this 2200. My G1900 has no problem at all with a bagger. The 2200 has trouble even without the bagger.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Maybe I just have more expectation of this 2200. My G1900 has no problem at all with a bagger. The 2200 has trouble even without the bagger.

I think it is probably the weight and mower width that make the difference you are seeing. BXs are surprisingly heavy. My BX1500 with belly mower is about 1500#. Your 2200 with bigger mower is probably around 1700#. I believe these are at least 500# more than the G1900. Its a harder climb for the "heavyweights" . Then theres the probably wider mower on your BX2200.

 

[civilian]

That combination is probably just using all its power

Dad and I both have BX2230's that we use mowers and baggers. His mower deck is 60" and he uses a Kubota bagger. My 54" mower goes into a JD self dumping hopper(that someone setup for a BX) with a blower. My setup definately weighs more than dad's. They have enough power to run the mower deck and the bagger blower. Jon

 

[SPYDERLK]

Dad and I both have BX2230's that we use mowers and baggers. His mower deck is 60" and he uses a Kubota bagger. My 54" mower goes into a JD self dumping hopper(that someone setup for a BX) with a blower. My setup definately weighs more than dad's. They have enough power to run the mower deck and the bagger blower. Jon

Lots of variables. You dont mention hills. - - The OP is perceiving reduced power cutting grass going uphill with a bagger. How thick is the grass? How steep is the slope? Around this part of the country we have had good rain and growing conditions for grass. Turf tends to get thicker and take more power to cut as good conditions persist throughout the summer. This is the OPs 1st season with his BX2200 and his basis for comparison is with a smaller lighter tractor mower that has almost the same HP. It could be a fuel problem, but he has addressed that with fuel and filter changes. - It could be that the conditions just exceed the HP margin of the 2200 and he just needs to let up a little on the go pedal as he goes up the hill.

 

[Grandad4]

That combination is probably just using all its power

Not really. Ran my BX for 15 years through some really heavy stuff and NEVER wanted for power. Would eat anything ot could drive over. Something definitely wrong if it's bogging as the OP describes.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Not really. Ran my BX for 15 years through some really heavy stuff and NEVER wanted for power. Would eat anything ot could drive over. Something definitely wrong if it's bogging as the OP describes.

So you went slow.

 

[Grandad4]

So you went slow.

I'm old enough to think slow has its virtues. But the BX cut way faster than any lawn tractor I ever had. Seriously, the limit was how fast the deck could clear the discharge, never power from the engine.

 

[GreenDuramax04]

Lots of variables. You dont mention hills. - - The OP is perceiving reduced power cutting grass going uphill with a bagger. How thick is the grass? How steep is the slope? Around this part of the country we have had good rain and growing conditions for grass. Turf tends to get thicker and take more power to cut as good conditions persist throughout the summer. This is the OPs 1st season with his BX2200 and his basis for comparison is with a smaller lighter tractor mower that has almost the same HP. It could be a fuel problem, but he has addressed that with fuel and filter changes. - It could be that the conditions just exceed the HP margin of the 2200 and he just needs to let up a little on the go pedal as he goes up the hill.

Slight incline, not really a hill and the grass it not very thick. I'm cutting at 4" and I can't be cutting more and an inch or two off. Even with the PTO off the RPMs go down more than I think it should as I go up the slight incline.

I'm thinking it has to be a fuel problem or a lack of fuel. Lift pumps are pretty cheap so I might just replace that. I will also change the filters and pump out all the fuel again just to rule out the fuel system.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Slight incline, not really a hill and the grass it not very thick. I'm cutting at 4" and I can't be cutting more and an inch or two off. Even with the PTO off the RPMs go down more than I think it should as I go up the slight incline.

I'm thinking it has to be a fuel problem or a lack of fuel. Lift pumps are pretty cheap so I might just replace that. I will also change the filters and pump out all the fuel again just to rule out the fuel system.

Yes. That is sounding like inhibited fuel flow. My BX1500 has 2 fuel filters; one under the belly and another up by the injection pump. Check for a second filter if you havent already. I have had good luck with my lift pump. Its original at ~3500hrs.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Have you been able to find the problem yet?

 

[GreenDuramax04]

Have you been able to find the problem yet?

I've got the new pump and another set of filters but havent had a chance to install them yet. I hope to get to it this weekend. I've been cutting my grass the past several weeks and the tractor still seems to be low on power. I raised the RPM governor just a bit and it didnt help.

I talked to my x-father in law (who i bought it from) and he said that he had never experienced low power. He looked at the incline where I notice the problem and said that "thats not even a hill". lol

I plan on completely draining all the fuel, blowing out the return lines, replacing the filters(again) and installing the new lift pump.