Towing with BX24/25

[KeithInSpace]

I do two things with my BX that I probably shouldn't, but I do what I can to mitigate.

First, I hook up my 20' 10k# dovetail to it (about 2,200# empty) and use it all over the yard. I also use it to have an annual Halloween Hayride in my neighborhood since it would be too much of a walk on 3 acre lots to collect candy. With everyone aboard, I have another SOLID 2k# of humans. Add the radio, chairs, lights, candy, and other things and I'm towing nearly 5k# around without much trouble. I do use a weight distributing hitch, though, to keep the front tires of the tractor firmly planted.

I also sometimes park my 6k# 30' long travel trailer with my tractor. No hills or anything.

I don't think you're doing anything wrong. Just keep it real and have an 'exit strategy'. I keep an accessible lead connected to the trailer brake interlink on my utility trailer. If I have a catastrophic failure on the tractor, I can pull the 'ripcord' and the trailer brakes will lock. Someday, I may add a simple brake controller to the tractor. Someday. Kids need to get a llittle heavier...

 

[MattJ]

To radioman the BX does have a brake in the transaxel assembly and does not rely just on the HST.

Also, if not using them I would recommend safety chains are used as well even at the low speed.

I have done the halloween train deal myself (not for money though) and with just one trailer. It is fun but dicey when the load is 2-3X the weight of the tractor.

 

[radioman]

To radioman the BX does have a brake in the transaxel assembly and does not rely just on the HST.

Also, if not using them I would recommend safety chains are used as well even at the low speed.

I have done the halloween train deal myself (not for money though) and with just one trailer. It is fun but dicey when the load is 2-3X the weight of the tractor.

my point is that that there is no separate brake pedal. you have to use the HST opposite direction to stop. If someone no familar with BX and gets on the BX and needs to stop in hurry, what is that person first instinct to do?! they will try pressing the parking brake pedal only to find it doesnt lock up the brakes. they will frantically try to pump it or slam on the parking brake. with BX24, its gonna be a jerky stop with hst compared to bx25.

 

[Cruisin]

my point is that that there is no separate brake pedal. you have to use the HST opposite direction to stop. If someone no familar with BX and gets on the BX and needs to stop in hurry, what is that person first instinct to do?! they will try pressing the parking brake pedal only to find it doesnt lock up the brakes. they will frantically try to pump it or slam on the parking brake. with BX24, its gonna be a jerky stop with hst compared to bx25.

I don't understand "no seperate brake pedal". I think all the BXs have brake pedals. If you have a 50 or 60 series BX (BX1850, 1860, 2350, 2360, 2660 24, 25) The brake should lock the wheels if it is properly adjusted. Unless you're going fast in reverse, the BX24 would be no more jerky than the BX25 when stopping with the HST. The brakes are completely different on the 00 and 30 series if that's your reference. I think they are a little more picky with the adjustment. Anyway, when you take your foot off the HST pedal, the tractor's going to stop, probably before you can even hit the brake.

 

[KeithInSpace]

All BX tractors have a brake pedal. Not that it means much...I can easilly out-drive my parking brake with my HST.

The HST will take care of 98% of your braking needs. The issue here is that you have some way to stop the tractor/trailer if you have complete HST failure. Like lowering the bucket. Or dropping the trailer (with a 3PH-mounted trailer ball, like mine). Or pulling the emergency break-a-way cable on a trailer equipped with electric brakes.

I would not rely on the BX brakes for much of anything besides holding you relatively still on already flat ground.

 

[timswi]

All BX tractors have a brake pedal. Not that it means much...I can easilly out-drive my parking brake with my HST.

The HST will take care of 98% of your braking needs. The issue here is that you have some way to stop the tractor/trailer if you have complete HST failure. Like lowering the bucket. Or dropping the trailer (with a 3PH-mounted trailer ball, like mine). Or pulling the emergency break-a-way cable on a trailer equipped with electric brakes.

I would not rely on the BX brakes for much of anything besides holding you relatively still on already flat ground.

Sadly, that is so true.

 

[tonio]

How about 4WD? Any problem to the tractor when towing this with 4wd always on across grass and dirt?

 

[Wayne's Train]

All this talk about runaway jackknife turned over loads and propane tanks, head on crashes on the highway, brakes not working, one trailer getting dicey. Holy cow. Sounds like we're all gonna die. I sure did stir the puddin'. I don't know if some HST's have more control than others but with any load I've pulled all I have to do is let off the forward pedal (gently) and it stops. If the back tires are on pavement it just works. Grass and gravel is a different story. Unless it's creeping forward, the only time I use the brake is for parking and it locks it down. The electric brake idea in the rear trailer won't work very well because of the varying weights involved. If you set the brake for a full trailer it will just lock up the tires when it's empty. You know there are a lot of these trains out there and they are being pulled by 300 lb lawnmowers. My little engine weighs 600 lbs with the fiberglass body on it. It works fine. I've been using it for 7 years pulling 4000 lbs at a time. It's doing what it's designed to do. When you distribute that weight over 10 tires it isn't excessive. Don't you think a 2400 lb diesel Kubota would have more control? So far no jackknifes, propane tank explosions, plane crashes or floods. Just a lot of fun. Glad you like my receiver hitch though. I haven't had to use 4wd on dirt or grass but I don't do that very often. It's always had enough weight on the back tires to maintain traction. Thanks for all the comments.

 

[two4spooky]

Wayne, that hitch mount looks good. And a neat little ride you have there. If I ever see you and your train around I will go for a ride with you.

 

[dodge man]

All this talk about runaway jackknife turned over loads and propane tanks, head on crashes on the highway, brakes not working, one trailer getting dicey. Holy cow. Sounds like we're all gonna die. I sure did stir the puddin'. I don't know if some HST's have more control than others but with any load I've pulled all I have to do is let off the forward pedal (gently) and it stops. If the back tires are on pavement it just works. Grass and gravel is a different story. Unless it's creeping forward, the only time I use the brake is for parking and it locks it down. The electric brake idea in the rear trailer won't work very well because of the varying weights involved. If you set the brake for a full trailer it will just lock up the tires when it's empty. You know there are a lot of these trains out there and they are being pulled by 300 lb lawnmowers. My little engine weighs 600 lbs with the fiberglass body on it. It works fine. I've been using it for 7 years pulling 4000 lbs at a time. It's doing what it's designed to do. When you distribute that weight over 10 tires it isn't excessive. Don't you think a 2400 lb diesel Kubota would have more control? So far no jackknifes, propane tank explosions, plane crashes or floods. Just a lot of fun. Glad you like my receiver hitch though. I haven't had to use 4wd on dirt or grass but I don't do that very often. It's always had enough weight on the back tires to maintain traction. Thanks for all the comments.

Wayne, haven't you been watching the news? Huricane Irene just got done tearing up the east coast. Aren't you going to take some resonsibility for it?