New BX22 owner with questions

[Anonymous Poster]

Well after reading on TBN for a few days I went ahead and purchased a BX22 with a 54" MMM. I take delivery on it tomorrow (4/10/2003). I do have a few questions...

1. Is there anything I should pay attention to (machine related) in the first hours of operation?

2. The price of the pads for the BH is a little high IMO. I read a few articles about welding angle iron on the legs for more grip. I was wondering if anyone has retrofitted rubber pads for less than the dealer is asking?

3. I am in the middle of a MAJOR renovation on my house and do not currently have a place to store the BX22 indoors (adding an attached oversized 3 car garage - converting the existing garage to living space - adding 900 sq feet of new living space with basement). What type of covers is available, or does anyone have an example of a cover they made for the ENTIRE unit?

I plan on putting some serious hours on the thing right out of the shoot. I will let everyone know my first impressions and what kind of work has been done.

Thank you in advance,

Chris

 

[theboman]

Those aluminmun carports come in many sizes starting around $500, and you see them all over the place.
Or, check out any RV dealer, Sams, WalMart etc for a portable setup similiar to the above but with tarps as the roof and I'm thinking they are in the $150-$200 price range.
Just toss an extra rope or four across the top if you live in wind areas for a bit of extra safety and $20 or nylon rope is a lot of rope.

 

[surfran]

I agree with Bo, the tarp carports that you can pick up at SAMS for $199 are probably the best way to go. For that you get the 2" aluminum model with 4 sides and a roof. I use one that I purchased 6 years ago to park our pontoon boat under for the Winter here in NY. It is only the 1 5/8" diameter one, and it didn't come with the nice sides of the new one, but still works well. I also use rope to "weave" extra support for the roof so that the snow isn't as much of a problem (and of course we brush it off when it gets kinda heavy). Here is a picture of my new BX1800 with the enclosure in the background.

Oh and yeah make sure you stake it down.

 

[Steven]

Have them go over everything with you on delivery, and ask them question #1. that way you have the words right from the dealer.

On question #2 I used an old 2x12 pressure treated plank put two 12" squares on top of each other glued and screwed. cut out a square in the middle of top piece so metal pad sits in it. this is so it will not slide off. made one for each side and they work good if you need to put pad down on hot top or concrete and do not want to leave marks.

I had mine outside for the first month just covered the seat. I do not think a little rain will hurt it. just cover the tractor part, backhoe and loader should be fine till garage is finished. no need to spend money on something you may never need after garage is complete.