A BCS Review

Highsmith · Aug 31, 2008

Finally used the new BCS. I cleared a path to a fishing hole and to a pasture. It was very easy and I was extremely pleased with the 853's ability to mow over mesquite brush. I wonder at the purpose of the hand brakes. Our only guess is for people who mow on slopes? I will read through the instruction manual again and see if I can better discern their purpose.

I have been slow to use it as we are still settling in after a move and trying to get a house built. I had a nice patch of time yesterday and decided to go use the shredder. The engine wanted to bog down sometimes when I would hit a bunch of mesquite sapplings at once, perhaps 6-7 sapplings that were all 1 1/2 inches in diameter, but that big diesel engine just wouldn't quit and chopped them up.

I plan to put an ad in a local paper and try to get some work using the BCS on people's land where a traditional shredder is just too big. I am still unemployed and would be glad for some work.

farmerboybill · Sep 2, 2008

Hey Highsmith,

Did you use the steel wheels in the mesquite?

The brakes are for turning. If you disengage the diff lock, the brakes will allow you to turn on a dime. I've tried mowing with my 715 and 38 inch deck, but it's just about impossible to turn with both tires locked.

Congrats on the 853. I'd buy one, but the initial cost is too much for a guy with wife, kid, and one on the way

At this point, a 735 or 737 for a grand would even be nice...

I wouldn't mind seeing some pics with the steel wheels and mower.

Bill in WI

MTScott · Sep 3, 2008

Hi Highsmith,

What kind of mower are you using?

I bought a used 737 with sickle bar and rotary mower. For flat ground I find that the steering brakes are rarely needed as the differential in these units is just awesome and it turns on a dime just with a small tug on one handle. But the rotary mower is heavy and so on a sidehill it can want to turn downhill and that is where the brakes are useful.

I've only had this unit for a couple months but after I replaced the clutch it has been a joy to use. I'm still trying to figure out how to get the grass to clear the sickle bar as it tends to just fall on the bar after it is cut and then stay there. Eventually it interferes with the cutting and so I stop and backup and it leaves the grass in a pile. This is great for windrowing the grass to make hay but is a nuisance for just mowing and so I have been using the rotary mower even though it takes longer because of the more narrow width of cut.

Scott

Highsmith · Sep 5, 2008

I use the Brush Hog attachment for mowing. It works great. I gave a lot of consideration to the type of mowing I needed to do and it really is the perfect fit for me. I have a lot of tall weeds, small mesquites, cactus, thorny vines and dead limbs. So far the Brush Hog has handled everything well. I am so glad that I got the steel wheels because the rubber ones would be flat by now, or I would spend a lot of time going around things that I want to go over. One issue with them is I got into some sand on a slope and the dug themselves in real quick. It took a minute to get it unstuck.

Thanks for the tip on the hand brakes. Yes the machine turns nicely but I will try the brake next time I use it.

There is a picture of my machine with the steel wheels and brush hog attachment on the "pictures" thread.

Rara Avis · Sep 5, 2008

Highsmith said:
I use the Brush Hog attachment for mowing. It works great. I gave a lot of consideration to the type of mowing I needed to do and it really is the perfect fit for me. I have a lot of tall weeds, small mesquites, cactus, thorny vines and dead limbs. So far the Brush Hog has handled everything well. I am so glad that I got the steel wheels because the rubber ones would be flat by now, or I would spend a lot of time going around things that I want to go over. One issue with them is I got into some sand on a slope and the dug themselves in real quick. It took a minute to get it unstuck.

Thanks for the tip on the hand brakes. Yes the machine turns nicely but I will try the brake next time I use it.

There is a picture of my machine with the steel wheels and brush hog attachment on the "pictures" thread.

Just click on permalink of the message and then copy...

It makes it easier to see your very good looking machine...

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...post-pics-your-two-wheeler-8.html#post1454786