A few questions from new BX25D owner

[Madz]

Hi Guys

Got delivery of my new BX25D today - looks so good and so shiny I'm not going to want to get it dirty!! Just want to say this forum has been fantastic in my pre-purchase research, thanks everyone.

My tractor relationship has got off to a rocky start though - it's taken over 2 months to arrive and a lot longer than originally promised. I'm still waiting on the 4:1 bucket, just have a loaner standard bucket in the interim and am not supposed to use that really. Hoping to turn things around when I start using it over the weekend.

I've basically only driven it down to the shed, but have a couple of initial questions :

My fuel guage is stuck on empty and flashing, even though it was delivered with fuel in it and I topped it up to be sure. Is there any trick with them or easy check? I'm thinking it's possibly faulty?

Topping it up with fuel wasn't much fun - the handle in front of the filler wasn't a great design idea. Are most people filling them from Jerry cans? I guess it gets easier with practice, but I managed to spill fuel everywhere and had it splash on the seat and tyre to my dismay....

Also I had to fold down the ROPS to get it in the shed, and with the backhoe stowed across to the side, I was annoyed to find the ROPS hits against the backhoe ram. Have others found that?? Again seems a bit of a design issue - I wasn't expecting to find this sort of thing from Kubota.

The tractor is much longer than I was expecting - it fits in my shed with literally 1 inch to spare. But that's the with backhoe tight against the rubber stopper....not sure about leaving it parked like this though, are you guys taking the hydraulic pressure off the backhoe when the tractor is parked or is it okay just to leave stowed in tight?

Also the handle on the throttle lever fell off in my hand - the plastic end - doesn't seem to push on very far? Is that normal? And the minimum revs I can get is 1500 - does that sound right, seems a bit high?

Sorry about all the questions, just trying to get familiar with the machine....

Thanks,
Mick

 

[George the Beagle]

I use this gizmo for fueling--put the can on the seat and let 'er go....

New Portable Car Manual Hand Siphon Pump Hose Gas Oil Liquid Syphon Transfer Pump For Sale-in Inflatable Pump from Automobiles & Motorcycles on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

 

[kcender]

Welcome to TBN.I would say the fuel gauge isn't working but your dealer will know for sure.When I had a BX tractor I fuelled it with a jerry can.Never really had a problem with it.The plastic handle and idling issue should be fixed by your dealer.Good luck with the new machine.

 

[dodge man]

They idle pretty high, although I think mine idles at about 1300. They should fix your fuel gauge. I usually take the pressure of my hydraulics, with your machine being brand new it mat hold the implements up, but with some age, they will often bleed down on there own.

 

[Fiziksgeek]

Do you have a spout/nozzle on the jerry can? That will make a big difference in fueling. A funnel might help as well.

Don't kill me for this, and I could be wrong, but I've heard the hydraulics on the kubota don't work so well at low RPMs, so I've heard of dealers setting the idle speed higher than normal so that folks can think their hydraulics work fine while "idling".

I would recommend all hydraulic implements be lowered to the ground and pressure relieved for storage. I don't have a backhoe, so I am not sure exactly how you are leaving it, but all hydraulic systems will droop over time. If its "up" in anyway, it will go down, and you won't be there to see what it's doing....

As said, dealer should take care of the fuel gauge.

 

[radioman]

What I do when filling up is I lift the seat up over steering wheel and use my 5gallon jug to fill tank. I start the pour from behind and then just let sit on filler neck filling up and walk away for 5 mins.
As for gas gauge not working, that's a warranty issue, but I would check the connectors first and fuse. Idle on 25's should hover 1100-1200s. Check the cable adjustment screw in engine bay.

 

[Madz]

Thanks for the fueling ideas guys, will try a couple of those. You're right about the hydraulics settling too, it's so tight in my shed..I literally have to creep it forward until the bucket touches the shed wall then, well, I thought I had about 20mm between the roller door and backhoe when it was pulled in tight, but overnight the hydraulics relaxed and when I came out this morning it was bulging out my roller door! Luckily I had a side access door so I could get into the shed, start the kubota and no pressure on making sure I pulled the backhoe lever the right way!! So tonight I've got the pin in the backhoe arm which I'm hoping will stop it settling in that direction, but I can't pull it in quite as tight then, so it's literally touching the shed on each end now.. I'm trying a ratchet strap between the backhoe and back of the tractor to stop it moving back off the rubber stop.... I'm in all sorts trouble if this doesn't work - can't imagine having to tell the other half we need a new shed to fit the new tractor... oh dear... Does anyone know if the 4:1 bucket is smaller or larger than standard bucket??

My mower deck has sunk a lot overnight too so does everyone lower their deck down too?

I did a bit of digging today and loved it though!! One other question - my right-hand backhoe lever which controls bucket curl and arm extension - it doesn't seem to auto-center in the bucket curl direction, I need to manually move back to center - is that the same for anyone else or another thing i need to mention to the dealer??

Thanks, really appreciate the responses

 

[kcender]

Backhoe levers should return to center when you let go of them.Mention it to dealer.Good luck with the machine.Your dealer should be able to easily fix these problems.

 

[TomSeller]

I uncurl the backhoe bucket and lower the boom to where the tip of the bucket rests on the ground. I lower the FEL to the ground as well. largely so if the kids get to playing on the tractor with another under the FEL no one will get hurt. Same thing for the backhoe. A backhoe dropped on a foot could be a serious issue. Swing the backhoe to one side if you are short of space lengthwise.

 

[SLIMSHADIE]

As everyone said, all the hydraulics droop overnight. I lock the mower in the top postion, pin the backhoe and you may need to swing to one side for extra room, also lowering the front bucket. Even the backhoe stabilizers will eventually droop to the floor. I use 2 bungee cords for those but overtime they are not strong enough if it sat there for like 2 months. Once you have parked it in the shed and the tractor shut off, move the controls on the loader, mower and backhoe to see where the settle out at. Then you shouldnt have any surprises the next morning.

Rpms sound high. Curl lever should autocenter. Havent seen a 4-1 bucket in the states.

 

[PeterK]

- 1500 idle is normal range.
- When I fill, I lift up the armrest and put my leg up on the "floor mat" then sit a 5gal can on my thigh while it fills. I use a large plastic filtered funnel from Walmart and a diesel can with a spout. New cans don't have air vents so I purchase a few on ebay and added them to all cans - as soon as I "pop the top" and open the vent, fuel rushes in and fills in no time - BIG difference in fill time.
- The ROPS folded down is a PITA so watch your head as I have hit mine many times forgetting it's there. I remove mine for mowing to save my trees as I have trimmed large branches byt hitting them with the ROPS. Any other work ROPS is on. And watch out when up because it sits higher than most standard 7' garage openings.
- Hydraulics do bleed down over time so plan for that in your shed.
- As far as length, well, you do own a rule right? Plan for the BX and that might involve removing an attachment to store it. Mine is used mostly with the backhoe off and is stored 90% of the time unless I'm digging or doing drainage. Build a dolly out of PT wood.

 

[check]

What a bummer, Madz! One idea is to maybe build the back of your shed out a little bit, by putting the header over top of a 4 foot or 5 foot wide space like you were going to put a window in, and then build a little box out instead. You won't need much, and perhaps you could even just put the header in, and then remove the studs from below the header to get the extra 3 1/2 to 5 1/2 inches, depending upon the width of your studs.

With respect to the ROPS, I'm afraid you're screwed there. I had the same problem with my shed, and it helped me to realize that I should have an 8 foot overhead door when I build my garage.

 

[mguitas]

I have a 5 gallon no spill container. Just push the button. Also got a 6 inch tube for it.

 

[dragoneggs]

I have a 5 gallon no spill container. Just push the button. Also got a 6 inch tube for it.View attachment 439803

I use the same for my diesel fill can. My only complaint is my thumb gets tired holding it down for a long fill.

Mine idles at 1400rpm.

One other thing to think about when storing your BH, on or off the tractor, is the stabilizer legs/feet. They will droop over time too and if you are in a tight space they can make it real difficult to get yourself unstuck.

I make sure my BH swing and dipper storage pins are in place and wiggle my FEL stick after I shut down to make sure bucket is resting and pressure is relieved.

I guess I would be a little hacked off at the dealer if they promised delivery a lot sooner and didn't notice all systems working (fuel gauge). Good luck and welcome to the BX club. Awesome machine!

 

[varmint]

There are almost as many Youtube videos about adding a vent to EPA fuel cans as cat videos. I found that the tire stem and cap works great and is free from almost any tire shop. In my opinion, the EPA cans have caused more fuel to be spilled thru frustration and difficulty than would have been vented otherwise with the old, regular and useful cans.

 

[Madz]

Good tip on the stabiliser legs, thanks I didnt consider those and that would have been interesting if they sank! Will make sure I clear room for them. The pin and strap seemed to do the trick last night holding the backhoe in place, I could still open the door this morning! And I've checked the specs on the 4:1 bucket and looks like it will be a few inches smaller, which surprised me - actually I'd be a little annoyed to find that if it didnt really need that extra space!! So that should help anyway. Will definitely need to come up with a dolly for the backhoe, I think I've seen build threads on here will need to search them out.

Yeah I've been pretty unhappy with the dealer right the way through, but once they have your deposit you're a bit stuck with them, hopefully the service guys will prove more competent...

The problem I had with the shed was the specs given for the bx25d state a length, but it's clear now that doesn't include loader, bucket and backhoe even though that's how the unit comes!! I'd looked at them and thought I'd have heaps of room, thought nothing more of it until it arrived!

Fully agree re the vent in the fuel can, the reason I got fuel all over the seat was the surging/glugging from the air lock - I eventually figured out pouring on it's side was better, but adding the vent is a good idea I think, will look into that - hadn't heard of the tyre stem trick and get a spout for it, if that doesn't work for me will try one of these fancy cans or the siphon pump....

 

[anthonyv]

I ordered one of these to keep from lifting heavy fuel containers, works very well from the cigar lighter outlet. It will fill the tank in a few minutes & can also be used to drain hard to reach oil pan drains if needed. New 12V 5Amp DC Motor Oil Diesel Extractor Scavenge Suction Fuel Transfer Pump | eBay
Also let down Backhoe, loader, or mower to the ground to relieve hydraulic pressure when storing unit. As was said above a lot safer around kids or animals.

 

[Grandad4]

It sounds like your shed will eventually need a "bump-out" at one end to accommodate the BX. I have no suggestions about convincing your wife of the need for this or that you were simply exercising frugal budgetary practices in not making the shed larger until it was truly needed, but I'm sure you'll have a proper explanation when it's called for. Most of us have had some kind of similar experience so you've got our full moral support.

In the meanwhile, you might consider the novel approach my cousin uses with his tractor, which is also too long for the available space. His solution was to lean the loader bucket against the wall about 4 or 5 feet up from the floor rather than dropping it all the way down. I think he may even have installed a shelf or something to hold it in place but doing this shortens the parked length of the tractor by perhaps a foot or more. I can see certain drawbacks to this approach, but necessity does inspire creativity.

By the way, please enjoy your new BX25!

 

[valkyrie9901]

QH on the front so you can drop the bucket off against the wall. The raise the loader arms up and pull in with the arms over the bucket. This procedure
work for me when I have the BH on and I can pull it ahead enough to close the lift gate with a foot to spare using my 14' utility trailer.

 

[SLIMSHADIE]

Mine idles at 1350/1400, a little higher than originally thought