BX2230 my first service

[Lrobby99]

Hi All:

I am new here, looks like a good forum.

I am taking over the maintenance of a BX2230 from the owner/brother inlaw who has cancer and can't do it himself anymore.
He's an experienced mechanic, I am a shade tree type.

I have the tractor and deck manuals, and have watched Youtube videos from a BX owner named Bullett. I should have that deck off in 60 seconds or less.
The deck is actually pretty new. I think the tractor is about 6-7 years.

What I'm preparing to do is a Spring maintenance.
Engine oil & filter
Air filter
Grease everything with a zerk
Check blades


And fuel filter for which I was given two new inline filters.
Stupid Question One: It does take just one filter, right?
Do I need to worry about putting air in the fuel line during the R&R? I mean the new filter is empty. It that okay to install the way it is?

Soon, I will also be tackling hydraulic and transmission oils, coolant.

Thanks in advance.

 

[rich bx]

Welcome-
Sorry about your BIL.
No need to worry about air in the filter(s) Yeah, 2 filters, one under the hood, one under the motor/floor right after the fuel pump.
Good luck, should be piece of cake with your skills. *Tip* crimp the line coming from the tank to avoid diesel arm bath.

 

[coldsteelva]

Get yourself a fuel line clamp (locking plastic forceps) to close off that fuel line

 

[mddorange]

:welcome:
To the TBN forum Robby. We are glad that you decided to join with us here.

Sorry about your BIL but congrats on the, new to you, tractor. You should have no problems with your maintenance if you just take it one step at a time and 'when in doubt, check it out' first.

Are you located in WI or IN?

 

[Lrobby99]

Thanks everyone.
I'm from Greendale, WI a tiny Milwaukee suburb. I mow mine with a Honda.
The tractor is out on family land near Watertown. Takes about 3+ hours to mow all the areas involved.
You would like my BIL. Friend to all and long time CAT mechanic. Cancer like his is the worst. He may not have long. And only 61

I forgot to mention I"m told the glow plugs aren't working. I did have this thing running and mowing a week ago. Just by chance, it was sitting in sunlight a couple hours with the hood raised and it got warm. I didn't even think about the preheat, just turned the key and she caught in a few revs.
Where is the fuse? The manual didn't say. I can trace voltage from there.
thanks!

 

[RaydaKub]

Welcome Lrobby99.
The 2230 comes from either 2004 or 2005, so a bit older than you think.
2 filters, one by the injector pump, one under the floor. There's also a lift fuel pump down there, little silver can with a single wire. That's the clicking you hear during glow plugs. That lift pump will take care of any air that gets in the line.
Oh, you said glow plugs aren't working. Haven't ever had to debug mine.
Do you have a FEL?

 

[Lrobby99]

Welcome Lrobby99.
The 2230 comes from either 2004 or 2005, so a bit older than you think.
2 filters, one by the injector pump, one under the floor. There's also a lift fuel pump down there, little silver can with a single wire. That's the clicking you hear during glow plugs. That lift pump will take care of any air that gets in the line.
Oh, you said glow plugs aren't working. Haven't ever had to debug mine.
Do you have a FEL?

A FEL?
Hmmm....I don't know what that means.

Are both the fuel filters the same? Looks that way, but looks can be deceiving. Just try online dating.
thanks,

 

[mddorange]

FEL is Front End Loader. Means a bucket in front. Post a picture of your new little friend and we will let you know.

 

[SLIMSHADIE]

Lrobby99 Here you go,

Kubota BX-Series 5 Hr Service

 

[AStanton]

Regarding greasing, I don't know if your tractor has this zerk also to grease. I have one on my BX-25 under the floor mat.
This one needs to be greased every 50 hours.

 

[Lrobby99]

Lrobby99 Here you go,

Kubota BX-Series 5 Hr Service

Excellent. Thanks!

 

[Lrobby99]

FEL is Front End Loader. Means a bucket in front. Post a picture of your new little friend and we will let you know.

Not a FEL, but a nice time to show my Little Orange Friend and our hops growing in the background too.

 

[Grandad4]

I forgot to mention I"m told the glow plugs aren't working. I did have this thing running and mowing a week ago. Just by chance, it was sitting in sunlight a couple hours with the hood raised and it got warm. I didn't even think about the preheat, just turned the key and she caught in a few revs.
Where is the fuse? The manual didn't say. I can trace voltage from there.
thanks!

Sorry to hear about your BIL.

There is a fuse block on the engine side of the firewall, on the right side.

Few grease zerks on the tractor itself. There is one on the HST treadle so it operates smoothly. The mower deck has several (also the mid-PTO driveshaft), that should be lubed regularly throughout the mowing season, every 10-15 hours of mowing should be OK. Keep the radiator screen free of debris and watch for accumulation of fine dust in the radiator itself, which can lead to overheating. Clean occasionally as needed with a gentle spray from a hose (no pressure washer), when engine is cool.

 

[Lrobby99]

Thanks. That glow plug problem is what first needs attention even before some overdue maintenance.

 

[Lrobby99]

I know this is a lot to ask, but any chance someone could identify the glow plug fuse type/amps ? I would then be able to bring a replacement with me when I go there tomorrow. I can't say for sure that is exactly the problem, but it would certainly eliminate one cause.
BX2230
thanks,

 

[Grandad4]

I will check mine this morning and reply around mid-day.

 

[Grandad4]

First let's be sure we have the ignition switch sequence right. It's a 4 position switch: off, on/run, preheat and start. Both the preheat and start positions are spring loaded. Turn and hold the switch in the preheat position for a few seconds (maybe 5 sec. or so) before cranking it.

If that's not the problem, then it's likely a glow plug issue. I was wrong about the glow plugs running through the fuse block... they don't. But you have an easy first check. There is a metal bus running along the top of the valve cover, secured with a nut to each glow plug. Power goes to the bus from a red/black wire that comes out of the wiring harness that crosses laterally above the engine. When you turn the key to preheat it should activate voltage to the bus. No voltage indicates a switch or wiring issue; if power is getting to the bus and it still doesn't start, then there are other issues.

Hope this helps.

 

[Lrobby99]

I think I'm doing it right. When in preheat you hear the fuel booster clicking? I'm sure I did hold the key against spring tension just short of the Start
position. And an indicator light on the dash is to come on too. I will check the bus as you said.
Thanks for looking and posting.
And today I hear my BIL is being taken to a hospice. May return, may not. Nothing I can do to help but try to fix his tractor and mow. At least he knows I'm keeping things going.

 

[Lrobby99]

Quick question: I see nothing in the manual for tire pressure which is key for proper mowing.
Pressure?

 

[Toyboy]

Clean the connector to the buss to make sure you've got good contact