BX1500 Greenie Questions

[jerkyboy]

I mowed with my BX1500 for the first time last night with the tranny in "fast" mode. The tractor has the FEL and wheel weights on it. I noticed a couple times that when I stopped in the middle of one of my hills and then restarted up the hill the tractor would bog down a bit. Also, at one point, I got stuck in a big rut that I didn't see. When I tried to acceclerate out the rut the tractor wouldn't do it. So I switched to 4wd and shifted the tranny into "slow" mode and I was able to pull out. One more thing that I noticed is when I was driving the tractor back to the garage (PTO off) I noticed a sound which reminds me of a water faucet running.

My questions are; should I remove the wheel weights and FEL when mowing and are the other conditions I mentioned normal on this model tractor?

 

[dodge man]

I wouldn't mow with the FEL on, mainly because it gets in the way and it will rut the lawn a little more, but I don't think there is any reason you have to take it off. I have a BX2350 and I timed myself the other night, it took 2min, 20 seconds to take it off.

They will be a little doggy in high range, I usually mow in low range, but on flat ground, I would think high range would be O.K.

I'm not sure of the sound you describe, but I have heard cars and trucks make a similar sound, and always thought it had something to do with the air conditioning when you shut it off. I'm guessing that it is not the air conditioning on you BX unless you got a special one.

 

[coveredbridge]

My BX1500 also will bog down in high range on inclines. I usually mow in low range, but have used Hi range in flat terrrain. I have also found it much easier to mow with the loader off. I know it seems like a chore to remove and attach, but after a few times you get the steps down, and you can do it pretty quickly. The worst part is there always seems to be a few drops of hydro oil in the couplers that mess up your gloves (or hands). Also, I always get grease on my shirt from the loader when I reach across it to attach or remove the hoses.

Not sure about the sound. If you're running full pedal in hi range there is a kind of low whine from the HST. As far as I know that's normal. Could that be it?

 

[jerkyboy]

That's the noise (the whine). I guess that's normal. I will take the FEL off. How about the wheel weights??

 

[coveredbridge]

I don't have wheel weights, but my rear tires are loaded with windshield washer fluid. The only reason I would remove the weights would be if they are causing your rear wheels to make ruts in your lawn as you mow. Otherwise I would leave them alone.

 

[TripleR]

I usually takr my FEL off, but have mowed with it on. My son in law never takes his off.

I leave my wheel weights on while mowing as it helps with traction on inclines. Many people run fluid in their tires, we do on our farm tractors, so there is always weight on those.

 

[LBrown59]

should I remove the wheel weights and FEL when mowing

I never remove the FEL on this one nor the BH either when I mow.

 

[LBrown59]

My BX1500 also will bog down in high range on inclines. I usually mow in low range, but have used Hi range in flat terrrain. I have also found it much easier to mow with the loader off. I know it seems like a chore to remove and attach, but after a few times you get the steps down, and you can do it pretty quickly. The worst part is there always seems to be a few drops of hydro oil in the couplers that mess up your gloves (or hands). Also, I always get grease on my shirt from the loader when I reach across it to attach or remove the hoses.
Not sure about the sound. If you're running full pedal in hi range there is a kind of low whine from the HST. As far as I know that's normal. Could that be it?

I use low for chores and task .
High for transport for getting from point A to point B.

I don't have wheel weights, but my rear tires are loaded with windshield washer fluid. The only reason I would remove the weights would be if they are causing your rear wheels to make ruts in your lawn as you mow. Otherwise I would leave them alone.

Wet soft ground is the leading cause of lawn ruts.

 

[BigD23]

With my BX23 I've not taken my FEL off when mowing...I've mowed with the BH on/off and always use low gear...I'm using turf tires and it's worked just fine.

Don

 

[blackmajicwoman]

The whine noise you hear could be that your 3PH/mower lift lever is/was stuck in the lift position. I noticed mine did that when I first got my BX1500, but now it returns to the center, which is what it is suppose to do after a little use.

 

[AceDeuce]

Sorry to be the safety police here but I feel obligated to caution anyone running a BX in high range with a FEL while mowing---especially with ANY kind of hills. BX's are light in the rear, and without an implement attached they are very tippy if you leave the FEL on. Not really a problem if you go slow on level ground, but dangerous on an incline. 4WD is MANDATORY on hills because you have no brakes at all if the rear tires loose traction. There is no good reason to mow in high range. Quality of cut is horrible and you risk tipping over if you hit even a small hole. Either take the FEL off or keep it in low range and stay away from hills.

The BX is a deceptively capable little tractor. They should be operated like a farm tractor, not like a riding mower.

 

[dex3361]

I mowed with my BX1500 for the first time last night with the tranny in "fast" mode. The tractor has the FEL and wheel weights on it. I noticed a couple times that when I stopped in the middle of one of my hills and then restarted up the hill the tractor would bog down a bit. Also, at one point, I got stuck in a big rut that I didn't see. When I tried to acceclerate out the rut the tractor wouldn't do it. So I switched to 4wd and shifted the tranny into "slow" mode and I was able to pull out. One more thing that I noticed is when I was driving the tractor back to the garage (PTO off) I noticed a sound which reminds me of a water faucet running.

My questions are; should I remove the wheel weights and FEL when mowing and are the other conditions I mentioned normal on this model tractor?

The description sounds normal. I have my rear tires loaded and If I had wheel weights I would put them on as well. I mow on flat ground in high and on the hills in low range. I dont have a FEL but hey you cant have everthing.

 

[KeithInSpace]

How about the wheel weights??

Leave them on. You'll hate how light the rear of the tractor is without them. I figure the 'bogging' is fairly normal, moving all that weight up a slope. I can't say my engine bogs (a few more mice under there), but it definitely takes a little extra push on the HST treadle to get moving in high gear.

I don't think there is a single negative effect of having the wheel weights on. In over 4 years, I've taken mine off for about 1 week, hated it, and put them back on.

 

[LBrown59]

Leave them on.
*You'll hate how light the rear of the tractor is without them. I figure the 'bogging' is fairly normal, moving all that weight up a slope. I can't say my engine bogs (a few more mice under there), but it definitely takes a little extra push on the HST treadle to get moving in high gear.

I don't think there is a single negative effect of having the wheel weights on. In over 4 years, I've taken mine off for about 1 week, hated it, and put them back on.

I don't hate not having wheel weights or filled tires on these.

 

[TPS]

I bet you will really like that 1500 when you get used to it. I mow steep hills with mine, and I always take the FEL off because they can get tippy on hills when mowing. I have done it before but feel much better with it off. I also have WW fluid in the rear tires and it does feel a bit better on the hill with the weight in the tires. When the ground is a little soft it will leave some small ruts but not if it is dry. I always mow in 4WD Low and have no problems. They will get weak on you in high going up steep slopes and that is more a function of the HST than the engine is is the nature of them I think. Bigger units may have more flow, but they will all do what you describe to some extent if the slope is steep enough and the load hard enough. Just mow in 4WD low when necessary I have done it for three years with no trouble and braking in 2WD L or H can be a problem on hills anyway. Good luck and Take care-TPS

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I don't hate not having wheel weights or filled tires on these.

CHA CHING!

 

[automech]

I use low range on mine to cut grass. It does get boggy cutting uphill in high range and speed. My yard is so bumpy that I don't want to cut in high anyway. I remove the loader cause it is more manuverable around obstacles, and seems less bouncy. No problems with power or traction cutting in low range.