BX 1860 Stability?

DIXIEDOG · Dec 6, 2014

Well I've been using the little BX 1860 to do some minor snow cleanup in areas that aren't convenient to plow with my Gator/Boss combo and I've got to say the little tractor feels downright tippy to me. I do have a weight box on the hitch with 300 lbs of ballast in it and also the Kubota wheel weights. I believe the wheel weights were around 40 lbs each but I can't remember for sure....the tires on a 1860 are pretty small so it could even be a little less.

I was going to have the tires filled with beet juice but the dealer claims that it won't make any difference because the OEM tires on a Kubota BX are so small they don't hold much anyways. Does anyone have first hand experience with a BX1860 and liquid filled tires?

I know on my International 2544 it makes a huge difference but the tires hold around 800 lbs of liquid too.:laughing:

SLIMSHADIE · Dec 6, 2014

No experience with filled tires but i can tell a differnece with 2" spacers on my BX25D which is a Bx2370 basically. Wheel spacers and filled "little tires" may help.

DIXIEDOG · Dec 7, 2014

Tire spacers seem like a good idea, I hadn't thought of that one. Wider track would help stability for sure

rick480 · Dec 7, 2014

My BX1860 rear tires are filled. They have been filled since new so I can't speak to improved stability. I'm not sure if you are talking side to side stability or a light rear end when using a loader. I have never noticed a side to side problem but need weight on the rear hitch when using the loader even with the filled tires.

timswi · Dec 7, 2014

My BX23 can get a little puckerey sometimes....Never rolled it, but came close..Often I'll leave the BH stabilizers out just to be safe.

The machines are somewhat narrow so the rear spacers would probably help, don't know myself though.

DIXIEDOG · Dec 8, 2014

rick480 said:
My BX1860 rear tires are filled. They have been filled since new so I can't speak to improved stability. I'm not sure if you are talking side to side stability or a light rear end when using a loader. I have never noticed a side to side problem but need weight on the rear hitch when using the loader even with the filled tires.

It's side to side that feels unstable....if you're driving over a small hump like 6" high with one tire at any angle it feels like it's going to tip. The loader doesn't cause a problem, it doesn't really lift enough weight to be a concern, the box ballast is plenty for that.

George the Beagle · Dec 8, 2014

"Little BX 1860"
"little tractor"
"tires on an 1860 are small"
"OEM tires on an 1860 are so small they don't hold much"

All in the same post! Sounds like a case of "small tractor-itis"! You'll never be happy until you trade it for a bigger one!

dougtrr2 · Dec 8, 2014

Do you have any pictures of your weight box? I am wondering if that could be the problem. Consider how high it is being carried, it could be negating your wheel weights. If you are just doing snow maybe you could try it without the weight box. I have a box I made to carry firewood on my BX24. When I have it full I can feel the shift in stability and any added lift makes if worse.

Doug in SW IA

Grandad4 · Dec 8, 2014

You have to consider a 6" bump is to a BX what a 15-18" bump would be to your big tractor. Also, I've found the bare BX tractor is very good on slopes, but things change a lot when the FEL is mounted. The FEL needs to be kept low for travelling and you do want all the weight you can get over the rear axle... weight box, implement, filled tires, your own weight, etc. The beet juice does make a difference, and whatever is on your 3pt needs to be kept low. Also, make sure you have enough tire pressure.

RaydaKub · Dec 8, 2014

I don't have a BX 1860, I have a BX 2230, but I believe the tires would be the same. Mine are filled with washer fluid. Beet juice is much heavier. I figure I added 90 lbs to each tire by doing so. You added 40 lbs in weight, but 90 more wouldn't help? Nonsense. It made a huge difference on mine and I don't have spacers.

dodge man · Dec 8, 2014

I own a BX2350 and didn't have my tires filled at first. It made a huge difference, much more stabil. I've had the rear tires off and they are pretty heavy, I can't so how much but on a small tractor, 200 lbs in the tires would make a lot of difference.

kw22614 · Dec 8, 2014

Had my BX1860 since Nov, 2012. Dealer filled all 4 tires with 'beet juice' as sales incentive. Only once did tractor feel tippy - when I was moving cut tree trunks sideways across hills. Had to go sideways to retrieve cut wood. Just move slowly with fel bucket down low, I very seldom even need to use my KK box blade for ballast. My little BX continues to amaze me with it's power and stability. Make sure you check your tire pressure often to keep one side from being 'softer' than the other which can often feel tippy.

DIXIEDOG · Dec 9, 2014

George the Beagle said:
"Little BX 1860"
"little tractor"
"tires on an 1860 are small"
"OEM tires on an 1860 are so small they don't hold much"

All in the same post! Sounds like a case of "small tractor-itis"! You'll never be happy until you trade it for a bigger one!

I've got an International 2544 for a bigger tractor.....55 hp and moves big ol' piles of stuff....but the gear drive is a whole lot more work and it burns through a lot more fuel....I want it all. :laughing:

DIXIEDOG · Dec 9, 2014

Grandad4 said:
You have to consider a 6" bump is to a BX what a 15-18" bump would be to your big tractor. Also, I've found the bare BX tractor is very good on slopes, but things change a lot when the FEL is mounted. The FEL needs to be kept low for travelling and you do want all the weight you can get over the rear axle... weight box, implement, filled tires, your own weight, etc. The beet juice does make a difference, and whatever is on your 3pt needs to be kept low. Also, make sure you have enough tire pressure.

This one is not mine but it's the same box

It is hooked up on a Harbor Freight quick hitch attachment although even before I put that quick hitch on it was the same way....switching from the rear blade to the weight box was a hellish task before....those small 3 pt hitches are a pain.

I have also tried the no weight box route and that's a no go....their is definitely a huge need for ballast with the FEL on a tractor this small.

DIXIEDOG · Dec 18, 2014

I called up to get my tires filled and they told me they wouldn't touch filling the BX tires because they "spin" on the rim. I guess I gotta find a different place to do this, looking it up on the chart it looks like filling will get me about 90 lbs a tire which should make a nice difference. Add that with the wheel spacers if I can locate a set and the stability should be way better.

RaydaKub · Dec 18, 2014

DixieDog, fill them yourself. A valve is about ten bucks. Put in 20 gallons of washer fluid and you're done. I used a 6 foot ladder and dehumidifier bucket. I also used a floor jack to allow the tires to squat some to allow more volume between burps of the tire.

As for spin on the rim, I laid rubber on my pavement after lifting the front wheels off the ground pushing a bucket of snow. I don't experience the problem.

Grandad4 · Dec 18, 2014

This is a DIY job, as RaydaKub says. Takes some time and can be a bit messy, but still a relatively easy chore.

I think tires spinning on the rims are pretty uncommon for BX-size equipment. With mine, at least, the bar tires on the back of my BX have been filled for 9 years and approaching 1,000 hours of operation now, and will still dig ruts if I forget the 4wd when making a hard pull. No hint of slip.

Code54 · Dec 19, 2014

Our BX has no problems with tire slip and the rears are filled. Would do it again in a second.

DIXIEDOG · Dec 19, 2014

RaydaKub said:
DixieDog, fill them yourself. A valve is about ten bucks. Put in 20 gallons of washer fluid and you're done. I used a 6 foot ladder and dehumidifier bucket. I also used a floor jack to allow the tires to squat some to allow more volume between burps of the tire.

As for spin on the rim, I laid rubber on my pavement after lifting the front wheels off the ground pushing a bucket of snow. I don't experience the problem.

You'd need to install tubes in the tires, correct?

94BULLITT · Dec 19, 2014

It says in the owners manual not to use wheel weights with filled tires. The 1860 has smaller tires than the 2360, 2660 and BX25. They are narrower and shorter so the tractor is not as wide. I think wheel spacers would be a good way to go.

You don't need tubes for fluid. Be sure the fluid is not corrosive.