Right valve for BX2200 and Snowblower?

[Anonymous Poster]

Hi,

I just purchased a BX2200 with the LA211 Loader and 60" mower. I live on the east coast and I also purchased a BX2750 Snowblower. I shopped around and one dealer told me that I need a "special" valve for the snow blower. He said I need a 4 valve instead of a 3 valve. I purchased the snowblower from a different dealer due to cost. I got the quick hitch and subframe, and the mid PTO kit. I did not purchase the valve because of what I was told. I then purchased the tractor from another dealer and I do not think my dealer installed the right valve. I told the dealer what I needed and he said it was no problem and charged me a few dollars extra. Does anyone know the part I need or how I can verify I have the right or wrong part installed. I am very happy with the tractor, But the way things look right now, I'll need to remove the loader in a way that it is not designed to be removed. Any help any one can give will be appreciated.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I have a BX with front snowblower and as far as I know I have the 4way valve. I could not get a straight answer out of my dealer on the difference between the available loader valves, probably since mine was the first one that they sold. I think the three way valve is what you might use if you only have the snowblower subframe and no loader. I will say that if there is one item which could have used a little more thought is the system of dismounting the loader and leaving the right loader mast on the tractor to use the valve for the blower lift via removing the pivot pins from the arm and lift cylinder, it is rather awkward and more of a pain to reconnect than to remove. Unless someone out there has a different set up, I think that what you have is probably the right set up.

 

[pro_tel]

I believe you need the 4 way for the snowblower although I do not have a blower. When the 4 way is installed for a FEL, you have the normal lift, drop and curl. But when your push the stick to the right, you have a dump and a fast dump – 2 “feel” positions. There are also about 7 (?) hydraulic couplings on the 4 way hose connections on the loader, the 3 way only has about 3 quick connectors(?). I’m also located in South central PA.

 

[pcmem]

I've been researching this also and it sounds like you have the setup correct. The regional rep and a number of dealers
suggest the method stephen m beat me to describing ;-) Although the rep did mention that some dealers have been
modifying the setup by welding a bracket to the the loader subframe to mount the hydraulic control valve. I thought I'
d be smart and try ordering both the 4way valve and the bracket for the mount but a dealer who had it showed me that
it is designed to use the loader subframe mounts so the subframe would need to be removed and the control swapped over which appears to be more of a hassle than it's worth.
Until a better method is found disconnecting the loader at
the pivot and ram pins on the right side is the recommended method.

Enjoy your new tractor,
Michael

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Thank you everyone for the info.

I did some homework on this. I do have the correct valve which is a bx2014. The previous post mentions the additional feel of 2 postions to the right with the joystick. This is how they told me to determine if I have the correct valve. My LA211 works, but the hydraulic lines do not have quick disconnects on them. I had to order the hydraulic lines and the quick disconnects and dust caps. There are 4 hydraulic hoses I purchased. The 2 hoses connecting to the top of the valve are fairly short before they connect to the loader hydraulic hoses. The two on the bottom are a little longer. My problem was that I had the solid hydraulic hoses without the quick disconnects.
Another option is the bx2015 which according to my dealer gives you the hoses with quick connects, the valve, and the stand. The valve that the loader uses stays with it and there are only 3 hydraulic hoses to disconnect. Once the loader is off he said you need to remove the right hand loader support and install the stand for the bx2015. This is a more expensive option, and seems as though it would be a little easier than disconnecting the arm and the ram. Is it difficult to reconnect the arm and ram when you want to put the loader back on? At this point I think I made the right decission, but if it's going to be a nuisance to put back on, I may just consider the bx2015. Does anyone have any experience with this setup who could give us their opinon on the ease of connecting and disconnecting the loader?

 

[pcmem]

I guess you could buy the whole setup and swap at the frame mount. That would be simpler than what I was considering (swapping the valve body) but more expensive. I was told $600-700 but not sure what was exactly included for that.
For now I'll approach it as they suggest and if it would be too difficult to do consider other options. I don't like the thought of the ram on the FEL hanging by the hose so that would need to be tied up. I was also told that the grill guard needs to be removed to install the quick hitch for the front blower. That doesn't sound like good planning. I was hoping to be able to install extra lights on the grill guard for night snowblowing use but maybe the blower won't block the tractor lights too much.

Let us know if you find a better solution.
Michael

 

[woodstock]

I too am not interested in usiing the loader controls as I would like to be able to use the loader during the winter.
I am going to ask my dealer to cost out mounting a top link valve, in the open control slot to the right of the seat. This way nothing would need to be disassambled and I should be able to use the loader.
Does anyone know if you need to take off the quick hitch to use the loader?

Winnipeg, Manitoba

2001 BX2200 (30 hrs)

 

[glennmac]

When you buy any Kubota, you should always get the 4 position loader valve instead of the 3 postion valve. It only costs about $40 more at purchase time, but can cost $500 later. It will allow you to use your loader joystick to angle a front plow or blower, which you cannot do with the 3 postion valve. When you have just the loader on, the 4 position valve gives you the far-right quick-dump ability already mentioned.

 

[pcmem]

Woodstock,

You can leave the quick hitch on with the loader. You can't have the quick hitch and front grill guard for the loader on at the same time.

I asked a couple of dealers about that open slot on the BX and none could tell me what it was there for. When I asked about a power top link I was told by one that it wasn't available for the BX. PLEASE let me know if you get a part number for a valve to fit that open control slot. If not for a top link I think it would be just the ticket for the quick hitch and avoid the monkeying around with the loader joystick.

Thanks,
Michael

 

[pcmem]

My dealer didn't find anything to fit the open slot and said Kubota didn't have a part number for a valve to go there. I don't think they dug very deep but started to wonder if maybe the European models used that slot. I know the BX overseas is slightly different with ROPS and lights and such. Does anyone know if they use a control lever in the open slot?

Thanks,
Michael