Beginner Kubota Questions

donconnery · May 16, 2018

Hey all,

Recently purchased a BX23S. This is my first, and by first I mean first I've even ever operated. A few basic questions I have that I'm hoping someone can help me with that the manual left unclear to me. Also I have really no mechanical or engine background either. I probably should have asked at the dealership but I pestered them quite a bit during the purchase process...thought I would give them a little break.

I'm kinda looking for some general guidelines...I already dug a pretty sizeable 16-18 inch trench...it isn't the prettiest but it gets the job done. I have been digging at ~2500 rpms, and never ran into a problem. My concern is that when I'm at that RPM area, there is a pretty noticeable whine when I am driving around. Is there a better RPM range for general driving?

I had a lot of other questions but of course once I decided to pull the trigger and become a member on here, I forgot.

Tractor Dell · May 16, 2018

I normally run my BX23S around 2200 -2500 RPM when I am digging or using the FEL. I am comfortable with the speed of the hydraulics at that RPM. The only time I go higher than that is if I am moving something heavy and I can feel the engine working hard. Don't want to bog it down, so then I rev it up and then when done moving it, lower it again. As for driving, I am normally about 2500 too. There is a not so loud whine when I have in turtle (low), but you can hear it more when in rabbit (high). I am normally not in a big hurry, so I just putt around in low in most cases.

I know a lot of folks talk about the whine. So it can be annoying. Have you checked the fluid level? Just to make sure it is where it is supposed to be. I also adjusted my hydraulic pressure, so I am not sure if that has anything to do with the whine or not.

captronr · May 16, 2018

My BX is older, but here are a couple of comments:

If your parking brake does not have an "engaged" indicator, be sure you disengage the parking brakes before driving. The bota will move the tractor with the brakes ON. Its easy to forget.

The hydraulics are engineered to operate with the RPMs at the high end. It's easier on the tractor if you do that, but everyone understands the noise issue. I'd just restrain from running it at 1000rpm and driving too much.

As previously stated, be sure to check the hydraulic oil--it could be lower after all the systems fill up.

Cure for the whine: Buy some good ear protectors, put your ear buds in, and play your favorite music while 'working'.

Enjoy and welcome.
Ron

IchabodCrayne · Jul 14, 2018

Most HST's whine a bit at higher rpm.. My lawn tractor and my new 23S included. No issue there.
Now if you hear grinding.... Worry.

Fallon · Jul 14, 2018

HSTs whine a bit, especially on smaller machines. It can also indicate hydraulics (HST or loader/3pt) going into relief. That tends to be louder though. If you are running around in high or possibly medium range that can be to high of a gear & cause issues. Lift or your curl your loader all the way. When it stops moving, the relief valve kicks in & makes a squealing noise. It builds up heat. Not a problem if you do it briefly, but keeping on it causes the hydraulic oil to heat up relatively quickly. Similar for the the HST if you are in to high of a gear. Its using it's own pump, but has a relief valve that will squeal & heat thing up if pushed to hard.

Tractor Seabee · Jul 15, 2018

I have never seen any data that would indicate it is not advisable or even harmful to operate except at the high end of the tach. My BX develops full hydraulic pressure at 2000-2200 RPM. Over that it is just more volume which makes things work faster. Higher RPM makes the BH operate jerky and harder to operate smoothly. I hardly ever operate at over 2200 RPM and always 4 wheel with any type of load. As far as I can detect the PTO does not significantly increase when past 2400-2500 RPM. 1500 operating hours using many implements experience has determined all this.

Ron

dodge man · Jul 15, 2018

As I recall someone figured the whine kind of resonates in the ROPS. This is near your ears also. They filled it with foam and it was better. As already said it is normal I hear mine more with hearing protection on for some reason.

diesel85 · Jul 15, 2018

In my BX2200, it depends on what I am doing whether or not I need full power. When I am using my loader to it's full potential, I run it all the way up, full bore.

Driving around and doing light loads, half throttle. At idle, not moving, just up a hair.

These engines are designed to run at max rpm all day long.

Gary Fowler · Jul 15, 2018

As far as harming the engine, full throttle is not going to hurt it, it is designed to run that way full time if needed.

For me and my B26, 2200 RPM is the sweet spot. That gets me full power for using the hydraulics, it is fast enough at that speed and the engine is about half as loud at 2200 as it is at 2500. Those last 300 RPM really produce a lot of engine noise. I am not that much of a hurry that I need to go full throttle to get there. Most of my tractor travelling areas are too rough to run that fast anyway.
Another thing is that lots of folks think that they have to have the engine turning 2000 RPM or more just to move it. I move my B26 out of the shed at just above idle soon after starting the engine. I guess some manuals tell you not to use the tractor at less than XXXX RPM but I relate that to loading the engine, not finessing the tractor when backing up to an implement, or backing out of your storage shed.
I only see stupidity when someone needs to finesse the tractor back 2" to hook up an implement but revs the engine to 2500 RPM to do it.