BX Category 1 Hitches

[RayCo]

Hi group,

I believe that I remember reading things in the past that the category 1 hitch on the BX series (mostly remember this before the BX24 came out) is not a "real" cat1 hitch. Is this true? And if so, what is not real about it? Is there something nonstandard about it that would prevent my buying 3rd party implements and attaching them as I'd normally expect to be able to?

I notice that the Kubota literature refers to the hitch on the BX24 as a Category I (letter I, not number 1). Is this there way of saying that there's something nonstandard about it and why they don't call it a category 1?

Thank you

 

[638]

I have a BX23 and my understanding is that it is a cat. 1 TPH. BUT, due to the lower stance of the BX23 it will not lift as high as a 'normal' cat 1 TPH.

ron

 

[kwolfe]

638 is right. The TPH is a full cat1. I have a bx1500 and have a few full cat1 immplements that fit just fine. The older bx models hitch was set lower which did (in few cases) limit the ground clearance of the implement when fully raised. Post Hole Diggers where the biggest conern. This being said, there are a number of companies that make post holes diggers with specs that will work just fine on the older BXs.

 

[HomeBrew2]

I concur w/ all so far. Additionally, simple modifications have been implemented to compensate for some Cat1 implements not lifting high enough on prior BX models. I own all Cat1 implements, as do many others.

 

[KeithInSpace]

But the BX24 goes a long way to fixing the height issues with the previous BX series machines.

I have found the spread on mine (BX2230) to JUST fit some of the larger CAT 1 implements (my full size CAT 1 PHD, for one). To be honest, the smaller "made for subcompact" implements do fit a little better, but I would not completely discount full size CAT 1 implements. More of them will fit than folks think. Especially with the additional lift on the BX24, as I said.

As far as the literature, "Category I" (letter I) and "Category 1" (number 1) are the same thing. I have heard the hitch referred to as a "CAT 1-N" for "narrow". Seems fitting. It is a bit of a stretch for larger stuff.

Just try to fit the implement on one of your dealer's tractors before purchasing. That's my thought.

The subcompact tractor is such a presence now, most implement manufacturer's have created "smaller" lines of their same equipment just for these machines.

 

[nh DRAGON]

As I understand it the TPH on the BXs' are a LIMITED category 1. I have found that this is more do to the limited lower arm spread like Keith mentioned rather than the lift high. All my implements for my 2350 have the lift links turned in.

 

[RayCo]

Thank you all for the helpful info.

 

[kwolfe]

I have a full cat1 rear blade and a KK XB box blade. I got the XB because it had a slightly lower profile which allowed for greater lift height. However My 5 foot rear blade is full sized. The pins are 29" apart. I have not had any problem getting it on. Do other folks have pins widths that exceed that?

 

[nh DRAGON]

Well I was hoping to use my fathers tiller that he used on his 69' ford. But after I checked with a tape, It was over 34" and no way to turn them in!
That looks good Kwolf. But the stretch must make it hard to remove and install.

 

[HomeBrew2]

Well I was hoping to use my fathers tiller that he used on his 69' ford. But after I checked with a tape, It was over 34" and no way to turn them in!
That looks good Kwolf. But the stretch must make it hard to remove and install.

Is the 34" an outside-to-outside pin measurement, or a "framework" measurement?

 

[kwolfe]

Well I was hoping to use my fathers tiller that he used on his 69' ford. But after I checked with a tape, It was over 34" and no way to turn them in!
That looks good Kwolf. But the stretch must make it hard to remove and install.

It actually is not hard at all. Now I can muscle the blade around a bit, but I do that because my skills backing up to an implement stink. I have never tried to open them as far as they will go. Maybe some other BX owners have. Since you have the new BX 3PH, you may have an easier time. Try loosening the sway chains all the way and see how far the draft arms will spread.

 

[nh DRAGON]

I did not make it to the tiller today but I was able to measure the single bottom plow and that was 34" to the out side of the pins. I also made a weight box with a big storage compartment for chainsaw and old wrench that I painted orange just for adjusting the tph. I will post pics when I have a kid to help me...Computer illiterate and all! I will check the spread of the tph this weekend when I finally spray my mower with Fluid Film. (It's going to rain any way)!

 

[kwolfe]

I just went out in the garage and opened the arms as wide as they would go when the are up. I measured 30" from the inside of each ball. The new BX models might be able to wider. I would also imagine something like Pat's Easy change system would create a wider arm spread due to the fact it effectively lengthens the lower lift arms.

 

[Tom_H]

That I is not an upper case i, it is a Roman Numeral 1: Cat. I, Cat II, Cat. III.

The BX 3ph is a limited Cat. I hitch. The spread is 32", and a few members here have reported exceptionally wide Cat. I implements that do not fit. This is fairly rare, but it has been reported. Sometimes reversing mounting pins to an inner position can work. Others have overcome the problem with quick-hitch extensions. I cheat my PHD on by getting the arms at their widest at mid-height, cantering the U-bar and slipping one pin on, then straightening up and getting the opposite one on. The BX24 lifts a bit higher than the previous BXs, but spread is the same. The sub frame for a Woods BH6000 prevents all other BX models from achieving full spread and full lift at the same time; if the lift arms are at max. spread, they will hit the sub frame before the device reaches full lift. Scrounger (Matt) has posted pix of this.

 

[polarred21]

I am resurrecting this 7 year old thread since it answered most of my questions. I have a few pieces of what I assume is Cat 1 equipment including a 6' scrape blade. Some of these were my dads and somewhat sentimental. He had a Ford 8n and I later had a Ferguson TO20 that used the same equipment on.

When looking at a new BX recently, the dealer told me that the arms would have to be stretched to the max to get the blade to fit and the lift would be minimal. He had smaller blades that were priced good enough for my use.

My new question is, what are the more recent experiences with BX purchases and using your existing implements?

 

[maddog69]

I have a cat 1, 6 foot blade I have been using for 14 years. I would not have anything smaller. I also have a half mile driveway that I use it to plow snow and grade gravel. The BX 2200 is more than enough tractor for that size blade, but many on here will dissagree.

 

[bp fick]

The BX has limitations. It is intentionally low in center of gravity so picking up and moving tall implements isn't always possible. The arms "spread" on a BX is approximately 25". I have found some implements that were built in a way that there were obstructions in the movement of the hitch. Sometimes, there are work arounds. Sometimes you can turn the pins inward, instead of outward and the problems are solved. Sometimes, there is no work around.

Each implement will need to be evaluated on a case by case basis.

I have a potato plow/middle buster that is wonderful. It is an XB model from TSC. It matches the BX perfectly. A taller version, while still Cat 1 would not work. I simply couldn't pick it up high enough for transport.

I have a disk that sits too high for the BX to pick up and transport. It also is a Cat 1 and worked perfectly fine on the B Kubota I had. My neighbor's post hole digger is going to be too tall to borrow from now on. Again, the taller B allowed for it's use, but the BX is too low to the ground.

These are the two major issues; maximum width of lower arm spread and height of the implement as compared to the height of the BX. So, while the BX has a Cat 1 rated hitch, in the real world you are going to have to take each implement and evaluate whether it can be used as is, or adapted for use on the BX. Virtually every implement is available in the XB type variant. If you want a BX, just about every possible implement really is available for it. But there is a substantial difference between a Cat 1 on a Ford 8N/Fergie T20, let's say, and a Cat 1 on a BX.

 

[polarred21]

But there is a substantial difference between a Cat 1 on a Ford 8N/Fergie T20, let's say, and a Cat 1 on a BX.

Thanks for the feedback. I guess Cat 1 is really a weight or capacity rating with certain size pins, but the width and height still vary.

 

[94BULLITT]

The BX has limitations. It is intentionally low in center of gravity so picking up and moving tall implements isn't always possible. The arms "spread" on a BX is approximately 25". I have found some implements that were built in a way that there were obstructions in the movement of the hitch. Sometimes, there are work arounds. Sometimes you can turn the pins inward, instead of outward and the problems are solved. Sometimes, there is no work around.

Each implement will need to be evaluated on a case by case basis.

I have a potato plow/middle buster that is wonderful. It is an XB model from TSC. It matches the BX perfectly. A taller version, while still Cat 1 would not work. I simply couldn't pick it up high enough for transport.

I have a disk that sits too high for the BX to pick up and transport. It also is a Cat 1 and worked perfectly fine on the B Kubota I had. My neighbor's post hole digger is going to be too tall to borrow from now on. Again, the taller B allowed for it's use, but the BX is too low to the ground.

These are the two major issues; maximum width of lower arm spread and height of the implement as compared to the height of the BX. So, while the BX has a Cat 1 rated hitch, in the real world you are going to have to take each implement and evaluate whether it can be used as is, or adapted for use on the BX. Virtually every implement is available in the XB type variant. If you want a BX, just about every possible implement really is available for it. But there is a substantial difference between a Cat 1 on a Ford 8N/Fergie T20, let's say, and a Cat 1 on a BX.

I have a regular cat 1 potato plow/ middle buster that my BX will lift fine.

I had a King Kutter xb box blade. With the 3PH all the way down on the BX it would just barely touch the ground. It was pretty much unusable because when ran over something it would come off the ground. I had the same problem with a Woods RBC60 scraper blade.

I agree you need to look at any implements lift arm points and see how it will work on the BX or really any tractor. I measure how high the lift arm points are to see how it will work on the tractor.

Thanks for the feedback. I guess Cat 1 is really a weight or capacity rating with certain size pins, but the width and height still vary.

Cat 1 means it has a 3/4'' toplink pin and 7/8'' lift arm pins. The width and heights of the pins will vary. Limited cat 1 means the implement has the cat 0 spacing on the pins.

I am resurrecting this 7 year old thread since it answered most of my questions. I have a few pieces of what I assume is Cat 1 equipment including a 6' scrape blade. Some of these were my dads and somewhat sentimental. He had a Ford 8n and I later had a Ferguson TO20 that used the same equipment on.

When looking at a new BX recently, the dealer told me that the arms would have to be stretched to the max to get the blade to fit and the lift would be minimal. He had smaller blades that were priced good enough for my use.

My new question is, what are the more recent experiences with BX purchases and using your existing implements?

Show you dealer these pictures:laughing: No I don't use this blade on the BX, i was just moving it.







I have found that most cat 1 implements will work with the BX fine, I have several implements. Some may be too heavy to use on a BX. Measure those limited Cat 1 implements to make sure they will work. You will probably want a 5' blade on your BX.

 

[polarred21]

Cat 1 means it has a 3/4'' toplink pin and 7/8'' lift arm pins. The width and heights of the pins will vary. Limited cat 1 means the implement has the cat 0 spacing on the pins.

Thanks for the feedback and the pics. Is there a handy dandy chart somewhere that lists the Cat 0 and Cat 1 specifications?

I figured as much that the 6' blade would be too much for the BX, and wondered what would really be optimal, a 4' of a 5' just for general home use. With the age and condition of my blade I wouldn't have a problem modifying it to fit, but if I can get a smaller one around the $300 range....?