Brand New BX2660 Questions...

[Dunlapjc]

Hello all,
I've been reading up for weeks now, and my brand new BX2660 arrived today. I have a couple of new guy questions that I'm sure somebody will have an answer/opinion on so here's my initial list after mowing 2.5 acers this afternoon:

• How much black smoke is acceptable? This tractor seems to blow a little at RPM changes and load changes (e.g. engaging the mid-pto for mower deck) A couple of puffs and that's all I see...
• How much rust is acceptable on a new tractor. The dealer said this unit came in in March, there are some random places with significant rust, Seat pivot pins, and even some on the throttle control arm.
• Is it better to mow grass in 4WD or 2WD?
• For simple mowing, what is the best RPM range to use?

That's all the questions I have for now. I'm sure there will be more as time comes, but I'll do my best to search before posting.

Thanks everyone,
-Jon


BX2660 w/ filled turf tires, 60"MMM and 50" Snowblower

 

[TripleR]

I have owned/own a BX2200, JD2305 as well as larger, up to eighty horse tractors in addition to my six month old BX2660.

1. It is not unusual for a diesel to blow "black" smoke at the times you mention, but it should be minimal and as you describe it, it doesn't seem excessive.
2. As far as I am concerned, no rust is acceptable on a new tractor unless you know about it in advance and agree to accept it that way. I made sure my tractor was a NIB and without rust when I bought it. Unfortunately many dealers store their crated machines out in the weather and some do get some rust and discoloration of the rubber parts. I guess in the end it is a judgment on your part as some are more particular than others
3. I only put mine in 4WD only when I need the traction on a really steep incline; don't see the need otherwise and it tends to tear the yard up a little and I am sure you fuel use will suffer.
4. While on break in I run at about 75% of power and when it is broken in I run it at full rpm's. I get a better cut at faster ground speeds. There was a thread on here not long ago about this and others vary.

I am very happy with the BX2660 and it meets all of my needs for a tractor of this size. It has plenty of power, is very maneuverable and comfortable to operate when I can get my wife off of it.

 

[dodge man]

Triple R pretty much hit it on the head. I have a BX2350 with about 200 hours on it, I've noticed it seems to smoke a little less now that it is broken in than when it was new.

 

[LBrown59]

Hello all,

I've been reading up for weeks now, and my brand new BX2660 arrived today. I have a couple of new guy questions that I'm sure somebody will have an answer/opinion on so here's my initial list after mowing 2.5 acers this afternoon:

• How much black smoke is acceptable?
• 1*This tractor seems to blow a little at RPM changes and load changes (e.g. engaging the mid-pto for mower deck) A couple of puffs and that's all I see...
• How much rust is acceptable on a new tractor. The dealer said this unit came in in March, there are some random places with significant rust, Seat pivot pins, and even some on the throttle control arm.
• 2*Is it better to mow grass in 4WD or 2WD?
• 3*For simple mowing, what is the best RPM range to useBX2660 w/ filled turf tires, 60"MMM and 50" Snowblower

• 1*Normal.
• 2*I put my BX 23 in 4 X 4 when I got it new 5 years ago.
• That's where it's been ever sense,
• 3*I run mine fast enough that it don't bog down .
• RPMs in that case depends on the task at hand.
• Congrats you shall just love the BX2660.

 

[thavil]

How much black smoke is acceptable? This tractor seems to blow a little at RPM changes and load changes (e.g. engaging the mid-pto for mower deck) A couple of puffs and that's all I see...

I agree with most of what was already said. One item I want to point out (if you aren't already doing this) is to ensure you engage your mid-pto at low RPM. You can harm your MMM and possibly your PTO if you engage at high RPM. I usually engage between 1600 and 1700 RPM's and then rev it up.

 

[jesseb3@att.net]

I agree with most of what was already said. One item I want to point out (if you aren't already doing this) is to ensure you engage your mid-pto at low RPM. You can harm your MMM and possibly your PTO if you engage at high RPM. I usually engage between 1600 and 1700 RPM's and then rev it up.

And realize that the PTO clutch is not an on/off switch, like some tend to treat it. You can actually feather the PTO clutch, though it is over a very small range. (I've seen some operators treat it like an on/off switch.)

I visually know where my lever is when it's about to engage, and it is at that point that I move it very slowly. At high RPMs though, you'll tend to wear the clutch when feathering it.

After break in, I run mine (BX2350) at around 3000 RPM, in high range.

Jesse

 

[Deano]

I agree with most of what was already said. One item I want to point out (if you aren't already doing this) is to ensure you engage your mid-pto at low RPM. You can harm your MMM and possibly your PTO if you engage at high RPM. I usually engage between 1600 and 1700 RPM's and then rev it up.

Absolutely correct. The owners manual states the same and even has warnings about doing this.

Deano

 

[radioman]

Hello all,
I've been reading up for weeks now, and my brand new BX2660 arrived today. I have a couple of new guy questions that I'm sure somebody will have an answer/opinion on so here's my initial list after mowing 2.5 acers this afternoon:

• How much black smoke is acceptable? This tractor seems to blow a little at RPM changes and load changes (e.g. engaging the mid-pto for mower deck) A couple of puffs and that's all I see...
• How much rust is acceptable on a new tractor. The dealer said this unit came in in March, there are some random places with significant rust, Seat pivot pins, and even some on the throttle control arm.
• Is it better to mow grass in 4WD or 2WD?
• For simple mowing, what is the best RPM range to use?

That's all the questions I have for now. I'm sure there will be more as time comes, but I'll do my best to search before posting.

Thanks everyone,
-Jon


BX2660 w/ filled turf tires, 60"MMM and 50" Snowblower

dunlap- welcome to TBN!! its a great place to be to find lots of info on these great tractors and projects.

1. just a little bit of black smoke is ok when its trying to get the most power during surging- but if you get it alot when engaging the pto- you haven't feathered it in and/or too high of rpm. What I do is move pto lever down until its within an inch before it slides over and WAIT. it will start to engage . once it engages, then i slide pto down all the way and then over to lock in. I never saw any black smoke doing it this way.
Also if you are towing or using FEL and try to get more power by stepping on the forward pedal- not a good idea. You get more power by leaving it in one place. You if find you don't have the oomph- you may be taking on too much or not high enough of rpms. Its all about getting to know your BX. remember, you are working with a diesel engine, not gasoline.

2. I rarely use 4wd for mowing, reason is that the turning radius increases and shows tire tracks. I only use 4wd mowing in the wet swampy areas where I do not want to rip the turfs and have less "mud" showing up.

3. any mowing, kubota book says you need to be at rated pto speed. I believe its at 3200rpms but its too high for my liking which is nearly wide open throttle. In areas where I have nice grass, I pump up the rpms to 2800-2900's or so for nice smooth lawn. In areas where its full of weeds and backwoods area- 2200-2600 is all I need. It sips the fuel at that speed and does a very good job of mowing.

 

[KeithInSpace]

...engage between 1600 and 1700 RPM's...

I use both the 60" deck and the PTO bagger, so I have quite a load on my machine when I engage the PTO...both mid and rear simulaneously. I have always done so at idle and have had absolutely no trouble. I get one little puff of smoke, pull the lever to WOT, and I'm off.

That answers the other question...though there is a huge difference in NOISE LEVEL, I mow wide open (after you break it in, of course). Part of that is for mow quality, but mostly it is to limit the clogs I have in my discharge/bagger chute. Mowing under WOT leaves me with more clogs to wrestle with. You could proabably mow just fine just off WOT, save some fuel, and quite a bit quieter.

And like others, I don't engage 4WD unless I need to...working up and down a steep slope, working in the snow, working with heavy FEL loads (brakes only work on rear wheels unless 4WD is engaged, remember).

Do you have the FEL? If you do, be sure to get something to counterbalance it...a Box Blade would work for starters. A BACKHOE would do quite nicely as well...hint, hint. Just be careful to carry a load on the back lest you get into trouble really quick. Too many reasons to list.

And CONGRATULATIONS!

 

[Dunlapjc]

Thanks everyone for your input and help. I really like this machine. I posted some pics of the rust I was talking about in a new thread here:

Rust on our new BX2660 - TractorByNet.com

Have a good weekend everyone,
-Jonathan