Bx 1500 engine roll ?

JBR · Jul 9, 2004

When I go to turn my Bx1500 off. I lower the fuel lever, turn the key off and the engine just rolls the tractor so bad I would think it would break an engine mount. Is this common? I know there is a counter balance on the engine but it seems like such a violent shut down.

upgw · Jul 9, 2004

It's the thing I hate most about my BX2200... almost certainly contributes to the common air cleaner braket failure.. I cringe as I shut the key off... the machine is designed to handle this vibration for the most part. Balance shafts wouldn't help at this low RPM, I think the high compression ratio (23:1?) is the cause.

The L3130 shuts down buttery-smooth....

- Patrick

Junkman · Jul 9, 2004

my BX22 shuts down smoothly......Don't know why there should be such a difference between two similar machines...

Woodsman_Pete · Jul 9, 2004

I'm with you upgw, and I think you discribed it best, the "shut down cringe", turn the key to the left and hang on! I wish there was something that could be done... Some one on here said they left the oil in the crank case slightly lower than the full mark and that helped, I tryed it and didn't do anything for me...

kevinj · Jul 9, 2004

The BX1500 has stops to prevent mount tear. Any high compression engine will stop a bit abrupt on the last revolution. These are not your old gas engine. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Henro · Jul 9, 2004

my BX22 shuts down smoothly......

Junkman, looks like smoothness, like beauty, must be in the eyes of the beholder...errr..operator...

My BX2200 also does the "death rattle" when turned off. I actually posted a question about it and was told by other owners that this was the norm and to not worry about it...so I don't...

ZackaryMac · Jul 9, 2004

Don't worry, be happy. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

When it stops with a bang, and oil comes out...THEN worry. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Garrabo · Jul 9, 2004

I run Delvac oil in my Bx22. seems to make things smooth.
mine shuts down fine

Junkman · Jul 10, 2004

I allow my engine to cool down before shut off by running at minimum idle for about 3 - 5 minutes. Then I turn the key and it shuts down as smooth as silk. I also use Power Service with every fill up. These two items might be what makes the differance....

rosey · Jul 10, 2004

POWER SERVICE????....Junkman....what is that??? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Bird · Jul 10, 2004

( POWER SERVICE????....Junkman....what is that??? )

I'll answer for him. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Go to Power Service and read all about it. My neighbors and I all used it all the time.

bam · Jul 10, 2004

Are you using the entire line of products? Which products do you find the most valuable?

Bird · Jul 11, 2004

Barry, the only one of their products I used, and the only one I know of my neighbors using, was the Diesel Fuel Supplement that you can buy at Tractor Supply Co., Wal-Mart, and lots of other places.

Garrabo · Jul 12, 2004

I dont know, Seems to me the Delvac is all the engine protection a diesel needs. In my opinion its great.

JBR · Jul 14, 2004

Besides Junkman, This shake rattle and roll seems to be normal with everyone. As violent as my shut down is I would be hard pressed to think using a different oil would stop it. Hey Junkman, when yours was new, did it have a violent shut down? Or was it smooth from the get go?

Junkman · Jul 14, 2004

I remember it being more "abrupt", but how much, I can't say. That was last fall and I have a hard time remembering last week. I did think of one thing that might be making the difference. When I shut it down, I leave the tractor in gear. I know that this makes a big difference with gasoline engines that have a habit of "dieseling"

jrlichina · Jul 14, 2004

Leaving the tractor "in gear" will make no difference, that only disconnects the gear box from the HST drive unit. The HST drive unit is always engaged on the BX (it has no clutch disconnect like other Kubota models) so there is always a "load" on the engine(although small since the unit is in hydrostatic neutral when you shut down, but a load none the less) this is assuming you are stoped when you turn off the machine. Just raise the engine speed a bit and see if you can find a good shutdown RPM that reduces the amount of "roll" you are experiencing.

Henro · Jul 14, 2004

Just raise the engine speed a bit and see if you can find a good shutdown RPM that reduces the amount of "roll" you are experiencing.


If I raise the rpm on my BX a little it smooths out real nice when running. At lowest RPM is is rough and I can understand why air cleaner brackets are failing...

But regardless of speed when turned off, that shake/rattle/roll is still there and pretty amazing at that. Now my B2910 when turned off at any speed just stops quietly without any rattle at all...and I think using that as a reference is all the worse for me...

I don't know why the BX shakes so much...do all 3 cylinder Kubota engines do this?

JBR · Jul 15, 2004

I remember when my bx was delivered and we were getting a guick run trough on operations. I was amazed in its shut down roll. I should have asked then, but did not. I was told to lower the rpm all the way and wait a minute then shut down. I do this with no avail. I guess I will just have to ignore it, and hope for the best. Who has the oldest bx and what problems have you had?

medfieldtractor · Jul 19, 2004

I notice also that our new BX1500 shakes a bit on shut down and that it idles with a bit more vibration than our B2910. I agree that the high compression and smaller mass of the engine probably causes this (as the 2910 is very smooth on start, idle and shut-down). On balance though, I sure like the BX1500. It's a little titan of a tractor and sure does a nice job on the grass.