Smells like...burning

[acohen100]

So I have about 50 hours on my BX24. Twice so far I have pushed it to the point of bogging down the engine - one time while trying to push out a tree stump and again today while brush-hogging (4WD @ about 3000 rpm). Both times afterwards I noticed the distinct smell of something burning and became immediately concerned. The engine had not overheated. Any idea where this might be coming from and if this is a serious issue with regard to me damaging my tractor? I assume that smelling burning is almost never a good thing - especially when operating power equipment.

 

[Double Orange]

Acohen, Two things come to mind, behind and below your seat you have a hyd pressure relief valve. If under severe//hard use you may be expelling hyd. fluid. Hyd fluid has a unique smell, but it's probably being burnt off by your transmission heat another unique burning smell.
2nd while cutting your belts for you mmm may be slipping causing a burn smell.
Good Luck.......Frank

 

[horsinaround]

You might just be warming it up good and scorching the paint off of the exhaust for the first time.

 

[acohen100]

Aah...well that doesn't sound so bad. So then would you say that if I am a bit stuck and try the "brute force" technique momentarily to try and push through, that there would be little chance of my damaging the tractor seriously in that way? I have been concerned about this and I thought the burning smell was confirmation of that fear.

 

[IC Smoke]

lugging down the motor puts a lot of stress on it. IMO dont bog the motor down too much.

Ian

 

[Singlecoil]

Having the parking brake on has been known to do this too. Don't ask me how I know.

 

[RayCo]

lugging down the motor puts a lot of stress on it. IMO dont bog the motor down too much.

This advice should especially be heeded in the first 50 hours, since it clearly states in the manual for the tractor not to push things too hard in the first 50 hours.

 

[rdsaustintx]

I smell burning rubber often, usually after stalling during a skid load. I like to think it is just wheelspin.

 

[BTDT]

Clutch comes to mind. I am guessing this is a geared tractor, right?

 

[Double Orange]

BTDT, The BX 24's are HST's.

 

[Volfandt]

When my BX23 was new I would get that occasional smell of hot HST fluid when I was out mowing in the field on a hot day. It wouldn't be much and wouldn't last long, but it was enough for my rather good sized notrils to detect
After getting a WSM and reading all the sections cover to cover I discovered that there was an HST vent directly under the seat and I figured it was just doing it's job and I ceased to worry about it.
Now w/nearly 300 hrs on it I don't get the smell as no where near as often and the machine still works good as new.

I'd recommend to monitor it to make sure it gets beter and not worse, keep a good check on the HST oil (color, smell & level) and keep a good check on the tracors performance. If you hear gears grinding or the smell gets worse or the HST doesn't perform well under load or the HST's brake (neutral position on the HST pedal) seems to be getting worse then I'd suspect problem.
I've read here that it's not unusual for the HST fluid to run 100 degrees hotter than the ambient temp and if that is fact, those 90 - 100 degree mowing days can produce some mighty hot HST fluid.

If it works out like mine did, the smell will subside with useage.

 

[Blk88GT]

Having the parking brake on has been known to do this too. Don't ask me how I know.

Someone told me that same thing.... I promise

 

[rdsaustintx]

The burning smell I get sometimes isn't oil, it's definitely plastic or rubber. The only other thing I could think of was the fan belt, but it seems OK.