Researching the BX2660

[Haywire]

Hey guys (-n-gals),
I'm researching the BX2660. I plan on using it for mowing ~2 hilly acres and using the FEL for general yard maintenance like moving mulch, dirt and moving firewood from the wood shed to the house. Might groom the gravel driveway with it as well.

Do these machine have any well known weaknesses or problems? I read in the reviews that the tranny is whiny, but didn't see anything about failure.

thanks for sharing your experience,
Ian

 

[Haywire]

disregard... while my search failed, the "similar thread" list below answered my questions...

Ian

 

[CHDinCT]

disregard... while my search failed, the "similar thread" list below answered my questions...

Ian

That's OK. On your original question, can't think of any serious issues with any of the current BX models but you should be aware of the vulnerability of the plastic HST fan and HST oil filter if you're running "off lawn" with the deck off.

 

[psvines]

I've had my BX2660 since September 2008, about 120 hours of use. So far I've been very happy with it for typical home owner tasks.
- MMM for 1.5 acres
- carrying firewood
- gravel driveway maintenance
- snow removal on 1/4 mile gravel road, last year had record 59"!
- mulch
- bush removal with toothbar on FEL

Starts easily every time and no maintenance issues yet.
(except for having to tube the front tire because of probable faulty rim)

 

[Haywire]

Thanks for the replies. I don't anticipate it will see any off roading. I take it the fan and oil filter are exposed under there and will take hits from anything that kicks up with the deck off. Good to know.

Anyone know the rated towing capacity? I can't find that in the literature.

thanks again,
Ian

 

[Haywire]

I've got a question about the frame. I expect I know what the answer is since it's built to do a loader but I'll ask anyway.

My mower (JD LT-180) has enough movement in the frame that when I hit a hill at an angle, the frame twists a bit when the first front tire starts up the incline. The result is that I have two stress cracks in one of the body panels from the twisting motion.

Is the frame on the BX2660 stiff enough to avoid a similar situation a couple years down the line?

thanks,
Ian

 

[radioman]

My BX is simalar to th 2660. I haven't seen any body twisting on mine and I Know this since I was in awkward position with front tire off ground and other 3 still on ground.

As for your weight question-
3 pt hitch can lift 1210 lbs
Lower hitch tongue weight = 550lb
Lower hitch tow 1765lbs trailer weight

 

[AceDeuce]

BX's have 3/8" thick solid steel frames with fully welded cross members. Not even comparable to a lawn tractor. Like the difference between a Mack truck and Honda civic. You couldn't bend that frame if you pushed it off a cliff.

Don't be fooled by their size. BX's are scaled down compact utility tractors; not scaled up garden tractors---No offense to your JD, but an LT-180 isn't even a garden tractor, it's a riding lawn mower.

BTW, radioman is right on as far as rated capacities. However... [earmuffs---safety police] I have towed well over 4000lbs with my BX over flat land. It had no trouble whatsoever.

I've got a question about the frame. I expect I know what the answer is since it's built to do a loader but I'll ask anyway.

My mower (JD LT-180) has enough movement in the frame that when I hit a hill at an angle, the frame twists a bit when the first front tire starts up the incline. The result is that I have two stress cracks in one of the body panels from the twisting motion.

Is the frame on the BX2660 stiff enough to avoid a similar situation a couple years down the line?

thanks,
Ian

 

[Haywire]

Thanks, that's what I figured.

Good to know the rated tow capacity too. That's more than I figured it would be. Where did you find the numbers?

Ian

 

[Haywire]

an LT-180 isn't even a garden tractor, it's a riding lawn mower.

Oh, I'm painfully aware of that... it's tranny is dying as we speak. Can you hear the pitiful moan from there? :laughing:

Ian

 

[LostInTheWoods]

Hey guys (-n-gals),
I'm researching the BX2660. I plan on using it for mowing ~2 hilly acres and using the FEL for general yard maintenance like moving mulch, dirt and moving firewood from the wood shed to the house. Might groom the gravel driveway with it as well.

Do these machine have any well known weaknesses or problems? I read in the reviews that the tranny is whiny, but didn't see anything about failure.

Thanks for the replies. I don't anticipate it will see any off roading. I take it the fan and oil filter are exposed under there and will take hits from anything that kicks up with the deck off. Good to know.

Anyone know the rated towing capacity? I can't find that in the literature.

Ian,

The BX2660 will more than handle the needs you've listed. In fact, one could argue the 2660 is overkill.

Don't get me wrong, it is an awesome machine. And I love my 2660. I went with the extra HP on the 2660 as I do a fair amount of ground-breaking, hauling lumber, etc. For moving mulch, firewood, and mowing 2 acres, I'd wager an 1860 will meet your needs and then some.

As for towing, I believe I read the suggested limit is 1500 lbs, but I'll need to look at the manual later to confirm. Will it handle more? Certainly. The BX2660 is a hoss. Chances are, you'd loose traction before you loose power.

As for problems, the only one I've had with my 2660 is a fuel gauge that has a mind of its own. More of an annoyance than an actual problem.

 

[radioman]

Thanks, that's what I figured.

Good to know the rated tow capacity too. That's more than I figured it would be. Where did you find the numbers?

Ian

It was compiled from my owners manual and brochure. I keep a document of all various BX stuff collected over time in my kubota folder.

BTW, radioman is right on as far as rated capacities. However... [earmuffs---safety police] I have towed well over 4000lbs with my BX over flat land. It had no trouble whatsoever.

[I'm too putting my earmuffs on from saftey police] - I moved 5000lbs-6000lb often with my BX with no problems in low gear on the 3 pt hitch. I moved 8klbs full of roofing shingles in a 7k trailer once with BX. The BX didnt struggle but worked HARD, had to use counterwieght in bucket and go slow- no problems imho. I'll never move 8klbs ever again- I think the BX can handle 5k with no problems over short distances.

 

[LostInTheWoods]

As for your weight question-
3 pt hitch can lift 1210 lbs
Lower hitch tongue weight = 550lb
Lower hitch tow 1765lbs trailer weight

As for towing, I believe I read the suggested limit is 1500 lbs, but I'll need to look at the manual later to confirm.

It was compiled from my owners manual and brochure. I keep a document of all various BX stuff collected over time in my kubota folder.

Oops. Should have read the posts a little more carefully. I didn't catch radioman's list of specifications on the first go. At any rate, you can see the 2660 is quite respectable for its size.

 

[dougtrr2]

Just a thought on the towing capabilities. I wouldn't be worried about how much it can tow, rather I would worry about how much it can STOP. If all your moving is on level ground disregard, but if you are going down hill on a nonpaved surface I would be very cautious. A couple thousand pounds out of control behind you going down hill would be ugly. I made the mistake once of going downhill on grass with a trailer and loader full of firewood without being in 4WD. I could lock the back tires up but just kept sliding. No damage other than to my pride, but it was a good lesson. Back to my original point. Make sure you can get the load stopped safely.

Take Care,
Doug in SW IA

 

[Haywire]

I pulled the trigger on the 2660, 60" MMM and loader about an hour ago. It'll be here in a few days. I'm getting the kubota insurance and will have him fill the tires with washer fluid. The sticker shock still has me puckered though. Might need to stage some rib spreaders in the bathroom for later. LOL

thanks,
Ian

 

[TripleR]

I pulled the trigger on the 2660, 60" MMM and loader about an hour ago. It'll be here in a few days. I'm getting the kubota insurance and will have him fill the tires with washer fluid. The sticker shock still has me puckered though. Might need to stage some rib spreaders in the bathroom for later. LOL

thanks,
Ian

Congratulations, we really like ours; BX not the rib spreaders.