Worried about my BX25

[tractorgp]

My BX25 has lost its "go". This is especially noticeable when in low gear. Let me explain: this was with about 90 hours or so on the machine. I was doing some work for about 2 hours or so moving muck/soil/gravel, using the bucket, from point A to B. That's when I noticed that the speed control pedal (accelerator) became unresponsive. By that I mean when I press the pedal the tractor responds pretty well normally but as I continue to press it the tractor pretty well travels at the same speed. It is very sluggish compared to what it was like. First I thought that the muck was causing the problem or that I got some muck up into the controls. But after checking under the tractor I found no mud and the tractor is acting the same on dry level surfaces. I had the dealer check it out (at the same time I had him install my rear mounted snow blower). I ask the dealer what the problem was and he said that this happens after they are run in for a while. I'm leery about that comment as the performance was totally downgraded from before. My salesman said that the mechanic said that he made a "few adjustments" etc. He also said that this kind of tractor should be run near max rpm. Don't want to go on too much here but, I found that after the problem started I had to increase the engine rpm 400 or more to get any real go out of the tractor compared to what I used before. (For the most part I used to use anywhere from about 2000 to 2400 rpm... not any more!) Anyway got the tractor back from the dealer, complete with snow blower, and when I gave it a test run it was exactly the same as when I gave it to the dealer for repairs. Sorry to be so long on my first post but I am really concerned with my tractor. Would appreciate any/all comments/help.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

What happens when you increase RPM's? Does it run OK then?

 

[CHDinCT]

So this is happening when the HST is hot or cold? The first time it happened, you said you were using it for several hours before it slowed down, which makes me think it may have been HST temperature related. You said it was the same after getting it back from the dealer after testing it, which sounds like the HST was cold or only warm. What oil was put in the transmission at the 50 hour service?

 

[TripleR]

I am guessing you have already checked your HST fan for damage.

Have you lost power in foward and reverse (possible linkage problems)

Any noticeable change in HST noise.

I really think you may be in need of a second opinion as the mechanic doesn't sound like he knows what he is talking about.

I ran my BX for six years with no decrease in performance.

I have over 100 hours on my 2660 with no change in performance.

 

[tractorgp]

Increasing the rpm will increase the travel speed somewhat but the overall feel when I do this is that I'm burning up fuel and not getting any better performance than I used to get at much lower rpm. Also the speed control stays pretty well unresponsive other than reacting to the initial depressing of the pedal but after that there is little or no change in the speed when i continue to depress the pedal.

 

[tractorgp]

So this is happening when the HST is hot or cold? The first time it happened, you said you were using it for several hours before it slowed down, which makes me think it may have been HST temperature related. You said it was the same after getting it back from the dealer after testing it, which sounds like the HST was cold or only warm. What oil was put in the transmission at the 50 hour service?

Same when hot or cold. Not sure about the exact oil I used but I bought it at the Kubota dealer.

 

[tractorgp]

I am guessing you have already checked your HST fan for damage.

Have you lost power in foward and reverse (possible linkage problems)

Any noticeable change in HST noise.

I really think you may be in need of a second opinion as the mechanic doesn't sound like he knows what he is talking about.

I ran my BX for six years with no decrease in performance.

I have over 100 hours on my 2660 with no change in performance.

Reverse seems ok. Haven't noticed any change in noise. I guess the mechanic checked the fan but not sure.

 

[TripleR]

Reverse seems ok. Haven't noticed any change in noise. I guess the mechanic checked the fan but not sure.

Since it acts the same hot or cold the transmission overheating due to a damaged fan isn't an issue I don't think.

It "might" be in the linkage since there seems to be no degradation in performance in reverse. I like to rule out the easy/simple stuff first.

Is the difference the same in high and low range?

 

[radioman]

mechanic made an adjustment ?! sounds like he added a shim or two for HST relief valve as a easy way out. I think this is wrong. I was wondering how long does it take before you REALY can notice the issue? you said you were working BX hard for 2 hours and then it happened. I am not sure how far you are from dealer, but I would use the bota around house and then drive it down to them and say HEY! get on this thing and check the forward drive.

Let's see- have you dont the 50 hour service ? Have you tried to replace the HST filter and pull the mesh filter and check for foreign objects ? While you pull the mesh filter out, how does the oil feel ? Are you using UDT or SUDT ? (I know it shouldn't matter but just get all the facts down) Nobody said a thing about the fluid level. It should be somewhere in the hash part off the orange dipstick, but I prefer to keep it topped off at top of hash mark.

HST fan broken or not, I don't think its gonna cause a sluggish performance- you most likely would smell the hydraulic fluid first.

 

[BotaBX24er]

I have the same thing going on with my BX24. It would run at top performance for the first half hour or so and then it would get a little sluggish. Very noticeable especially when traveling about 300 ft from point A to point B. Dealer and regional rep worked and troubleshot and took measurements. Only thing they ended up doing was change out the hst piston and put one for a BX25. But now I have to run pretty much at full throttle (3500) to get the same speed as I had at 2700. Regional service rep said that was what is expected from those compact tractors.

Downside of it all...using a gps, before they did the work...I topped out at about 9.5-10 mph and then it would drop to about 7-8 mph and the speed did not vary from about 2900 - 3500 rpm. Then after the change, it consistently tops out at 8 mph, however it needs to be wide open at 3500 (yes, speed changes as engine rpm goes up and down).

BTW, manual says that top speed of BX 24 and 25 is 8 mph.

Hope this helps.