BX 1860 Stability?

dodge man · Dec 8, 2014

I own a BX2350 and didn't have my tires filled at first. It made a huge difference, much more stabil. I've had the rear tires off and they are pretty heavy, I can't so how much but on a small tractor, 200 lbs in the tires would make a lot of difference.

kw22614 · Dec 8, 2014

Had my BX1860 since Nov, 2012. Dealer filled all 4 tires with 'beet juice' as sales incentive. Only once did tractor feel tippy - when I was moving cut tree trunks sideways across hills. Had to go sideways to retrieve cut wood. Just move slowly with fel bucket down low, I very seldom even need to use my KK box blade for ballast. My little BX continues to amaze me with it's power and stability. Make sure you check your tire pressure often to keep one side from being 'softer' than the other which can often feel tippy.

DIXIEDOG · Dec 9, 2014

George the Beagle said:
"Little BX 1860"
"little tractor"
"tires on an 1860 are small"
"OEM tires on an 1860 are so small they don't hold much"

All in the same post! Sounds like a case of "small tractor-itis"! You'll never be happy until you trade it for a bigger one!

I've got an International 2544 for a bigger tractor.....55 hp and moves big ol' piles of stuff....but the gear drive is a whole lot more work and it burns through a lot more fuel....I want it all. :laughing:

DIXIEDOG · Dec 9, 2014

Grandad4 said:
You have to consider a 6" bump is to a BX what a 15-18" bump would be to your big tractor. Also, I've found the bare BX tractor is very good on slopes, but things change a lot when the FEL is mounted. The FEL needs to be kept low for travelling and you do want all the weight you can get over the rear axle... weight box, implement, filled tires, your own weight, etc. The beet juice does make a difference, and whatever is on your 3pt needs to be kept low. Also, make sure you have enough tire pressure.

This one is not mine but it's the same box

It is hooked up on a Harbor Freight quick hitch attachment although even before I put that quick hitch on it was the same way....switching from the rear blade to the weight box was a hellish task before....those small 3 pt hitches are a pain.

I have also tried the no weight box route and that's a no go....their is definitely a huge need for ballast with the FEL on a tractor this small.

DIXIEDOG · Dec 18, 2014

I called up to get my tires filled and they told me they wouldn't touch filling the BX tires because they "spin" on the rim. I guess I gotta find a different place to do this, looking it up on the chart it looks like filling will get me about 90 lbs a tire which should make a nice difference. Add that with the wheel spacers if I can locate a set and the stability should be way better.

RaydaKub · Dec 18, 2014

DixieDog, fill them yourself. A valve is about ten bucks. Put in 20 gallons of washer fluid and you're done. I used a 6 foot ladder and dehumidifier bucket. I also used a floor jack to allow the tires to squat some to allow more volume between burps of the tire.

As for spin on the rim, I laid rubber on my pavement after lifting the front wheels off the ground pushing a bucket of snow. I don't experience the problem.

Grandad4 · Dec 18, 2014

This is a DIY job, as RaydaKub says. Takes some time and can be a bit messy, but still a relatively easy chore.

I think tires spinning on the rims are pretty uncommon for BX-size equipment. With mine, at least, the bar tires on the back of my BX have been filled for 9 years and approaching 1,000 hours of operation now, and will still dig ruts if I forget the 4wd when making a hard pull. No hint of slip.

Code54 · Dec 19, 2014

Our BX has no problems with tire slip and the rears are filled. Would do it again in a second.

DIXIEDOG · Dec 19, 2014

RaydaKub said:
DixieDog, fill them yourself. A valve is about ten bucks. Put in 20 gallons of washer fluid and you're done. I used a 6 foot ladder and dehumidifier bucket. I also used a floor jack to allow the tires to squat some to allow more volume between burps of the tire.

As for spin on the rim, I laid rubber on my pavement after lifting the front wheels off the ground pushing a bucket of snow. I don't experience the problem.

You'd need to install tubes in the tires, correct?

94BULLITT · Dec 19, 2014

It says in the owners manual not to use wheel weights with filled tires. The 1860 has smaller tires than the 2360, 2660 and BX25. They are narrower and shorter so the tractor is not as wide. I think wheel spacers would be a good way to go.

You don't need tubes for fluid. Be sure the fluid is not corrosive.