BX Noise: Need Advice

Frank · Oct 21, 2003

After 80 hours I traded my BX2200 in for a BX22. The BX22 has a hydraulic-like whine that was not present with the BX2200. It seems a little more high pitched than the normal hydraulic sounds of the tractor.

It's not present during the first minute or so of warm-up. But after a few minutes it starts, at first intermittant - like morse code - then becomes constant after another 1-2 minutes.

I've got a mechanics stethascope that I use for diagnosing problems on cars. With the scope, the noise seems to be loudest when I put the probe on the right side (from driver's perspective) of the transmission housing, just in front of the rear tire.

I've tried moving the steering, loader joystick, 3-point hitch lever, but the sound appears to be unaffected.

After 16 hours, everything else seems to be working fine, but I'm concerned that some extra wear or damage may be occuring that will manifest itself down the road. This noise was definetly NOT present on the BX2200.

Has anyone else experienced this? Is there something new in the BX22 design that makes this normal?

Any tractor mechanics out there that have run into this before?

Thanks in advance for any help you can give.

Frank

jrlichina · Oct 21, 2003

Some hydrostatic whine is normal. If you're really concerned since it's still under warranty(right?) have them look at it. That way even if they don't find anything abnormal it gets logged in the service record. That way later down the road if it proves to be a problem it will be noted that a problem was reported at whatever hrs reading you currently have on the machine.

BX_Scooter · Oct 21, 2003

My new BX2200 is doing the exact same thing you describe. It's most obvious when it is idling, but doesn't seem to matter if it's been running 2 minutes or an hour. Seems to stop when I use the hyrolics to raise or lower and attachment or the FEL. I've got 30 hrs on mine and have been paying attention to everything the tractor is doing. Plan on calling the dealer next week. Thing runs great, so I'm hoping it's just making normal noises.

My gas tank seems to leak when I have a full tank??? Just a few drops will drip on the rear left tire.

jrlichina · Oct 21, 2003

There is a service bulletin out on the leaking gas tank, get the dealer to fix that now under warranty.

Will_C · Oct 21, 2003

Scooter; make sure to get that fixed under warranty!!! The sending unit is leaking. Unfortunately, my tractor was 3+ years old before it leaked, and it costs me $135 to get it fixed.
Will

don716 · Oct 21, 2003

What's the difference between the 22 and the 2200 model??
Donny

Junkman · Oct 21, 2003

The 22 comes with the loader and backhoe as standard equipment and the frame is different from what I have heard. The loader is an accessory item on the 2200. When I purchased my 22, the dealer told me that the loader was covered for one year under the warranty. I learned yesterday that since it is part and parcel of the 22, that it is guaranteed for 24 months just like the tractor since you can't purchase a 22 without it..... the other differences are the ROPS is fold-able on the 22 and fixed on the 2200. The 22 ROPS is slightly higher also. I think that is the total differences between the two........
The same will be true for the new 2230 (?) and the 23, except that the 2230 will have available an optional cruise control unit that will not be available on the 23....

Frank · Oct 29, 2003

Scooter,

Thanks. Since I got your reply I experimented a little to see if I could get this high-pitched whine to stop, as you say you can. After playing around a little I did manage to get it to stop, by having the throttle at idle, and manipulating both the 3pt hitch lever at the same time I raise the FEL joystick. Otherwise, its constant after warm-up.

By the way, in answer to the other reply to my post: "some hydraulic whine is normal" - that's very true but this is not normal. Since I've already had a BX2200 that I put 80 hours on before trading up to the BX22, I can say with certainty that this is not normal. I've also spent some time in a rented B21 TLB. This noise is louder and higher pitched than any other hydro sounds I've heard.

I'm planning to ask my dealer to check it out - but I was hoping to get some people's experiences before doing that.

I'm not just concerned about unusual wear - it's damned annoying listening to that high pitched whine.

I'm also suprised that no one else out there has experienced this. Are you and I the only ones? Or is it possible that other BX22 owners have the problem and don't realize it because they don't have something to compare it to?

Anyone else out there have a comment on this?

Thanks,
Frank