BX1500 hydrostatic tranny prob

UWAdventurer · Jun 26, 2011

The wife was cutting the lawn on her BX1500 yesterday and is slowed considerably and stopped going in reverse. Sometimes it will barely go in reverse, sometimes will speed back up. No warning or signs of problems before. Ii was researching and I am going to remove the screen and clean it, hydrostat fluid has been changed 2 years ago. Are there any adjustments that can be done? Tranny is full of fluid.

Help anyone? Thanks.

gunnyad · Jun 26, 2011

hope you find the problem.
go to amsoil trans /hyd fluid ,it will run a little cooler and helped my gr2110c hyd.

Egon · Jun 26, 2011

Have you checked out the linkages?

UWAdventurer · Jun 26, 2011

No, I was looking at the manuals I got with the tractor, but it didn't really tell me much. Can you enlighten me? I don't have a repair manual.

Thanks.

Egon · Jun 26, 2011

I'm not familiar with your machine.

But with the engine off activate the pedals looking to see if anything unusual is happening, any loose parts hanging around or something jammed up in the linkage.

zoltanthegypsy · Jun 26, 2011

Tossing random stuff at the wall... My BX24 lost most of its forward "throttle" and suddenly all of it. It was a pebble balanced on top of the fwd/rev pedal linkage just under the floor-board rubber flap. It was just managing to randomly catch a bolt head above the linkage and limit the fwd pedal travel.

Z.

UWAdventurer · Jun 26, 2011

I will check for the linkage when I get a chance.

I know there is a round screen somewhere to pull out and clean. Does anyone know where that is? I found some info on it somewhere this morning, but I can't find it now.

Thanks everyone.

jerkyboy · Jun 26, 2011

I have a BX1500 too and have developed a tranny problem. My tranny has a tough time engaging when trying to go backwards if on a hill or if there is a lot of resistance. It also will do it when going forward but it's much worse when going backwards. My fluid was changed 200 hours ago and I'm going to change the filter but I think that's wishful thinking. Mine has been like this for a few weeks but I haven't gotten around to fixing it yet. Report back if you figure it out.

dex3361 · Jun 26, 2011

I have a parts diagram of the BX1500 that I use for reference in PDF format send me a PM with a e-mail address cause you cant send a file that big through TBN.

UWAdventurer · Jun 27, 2011

I am stopping at the Kubota dealer this evening to talk with them.

Thnaks. all.

jerkyboy · Jun 27, 2011

Be sure to let us know what's going on.

UWAdventurer · Jul 16, 2011

Well, the BX1500 is in the shop and so far they can't find the problem. They said they will have to open the tranny to look at it. The pressure is lower on the forward relief valve than the reverse relief valve. The charge pressure is good. No shaving to speak of in the filter or screen. No brass flakes, etc. No whining. Dealer is stumped. Looks like more money to determine the problem.

Ideas anyone? Thanks.

SPYDERLK · Jul 16, 2011

UWAdventurer said:
Well, the BX1500 is in the shop and so far they can't find the problem. They said they will have to open the tranny to look at it. The pressure is lower on the forward relief valve than the reverse relief valve. The charge pressure is good. No shaving to speak of in the filter or screen. No brass flakes, etc. No whining. Dealer is stumped. Looks like more money to determine the problem.

Ideas anyone? Thanks.

When my BX1500 trans went out it checked out fine from the outside. Kub figured it was the cradle bearing and I replaced the trans on that assumption. I havnt gone into the old trans yet.
larry

jerkyboy · Jul 16, 2011

SPYDERLK said:
When my BX1500 trans went out it checked out fine from the outside. Kub figured it was the cradle bearing and I replaced the trans on that assumption. I havnt gone into the old trans yet.
larry

When you refer to the trans, do you mean the HST?

SPYDERLK · Jul 16, 2011

Yes.
larry

jerkyboy · Jul 20, 2011

UWAdventurer said:
Well, the BX1500 is in the shop and so far they can't find the problem. They said they will have to open the tranny to look at it. The pressure is lower on the forward relief valve than the reverse relief valve. The charge pressure is good. No shaving to speak of in the filter or screen. No brass flakes, etc. No whining. Dealer is stumped. Looks like more money to determine the problem.

Ideas anyone? Thanks.

Any update?

MattJ · Jul 20, 2011

Not sure how they would have checked the tranny out without opening it up? Did they shake it and see if parts rattled!

If/when you do open it all you need is a metric hex adapter. Put some sort of non-maring clamp on the housing and remove the bolts. Then, plce it flat side down and slowly release the clamp. The piston springs will open the housing up. If you do it flat side down the pistons all stay in the assembly. If you don't, they all spill out and the pistons and assemblies are matched sets which creates a problem. If you take a look at the parts explosion for the HST you'll see what I'm referring to.

UWAdventurer · Jul 20, 2011

Just got an update. The forward relief valve is bad. The dealer says around a $1000 repair. Good news was the rest of the hydrostat looked good, no problems.

The dealer called Kubota and the cause of the valve going bad according to Kubota is the two cylinder engine vibration. Kubota said they have seen "a handful" of bad relief valves and they have all been on the BX1500.

Debating now on whether to fix it and keep it or trade it for a BX1860.

Thoughts everyone? Who has a BX1860 that can give me some pros and cons on it?

SPYDERLK · Jul 21, 2011

MattJ said:
Not sure how they would have checked the tranny out without opening it up? Did they shake it and see if parts rattled!

If/when you do open it all you need is a metric hex adapter. Put some sort of non-maring clamp on the housing and remove the bolts. Then, plce it flat side down and slowly release the clamp. The piston springs will open the housing up. If you do it flat side down the pistons all stay in the assembly. If you don't, they all spill out and the pistons and assemblies are matched sets which creates a problem. If you take a look at the parts explosion for the HST you'll see what I'm referring to.

Good info. Ill have to remember that when I open my old one. They check the tranny hydraulically by measuring various pressures from the outside. Mine was OK there -- it just didnt work.

UWAdventurer said:
Just got an update. The forward relief valve is bad. The dealer says around a $1000 repair. Good news was the rest of the hydrostat looked good, no problems.

The dealer called Kubota and the cause of the valve going bad according to Kubota is the two cylinder engine vibration. Kubota said they have seen "a handful" of bad relief valves and they have all been on the BX1500.

Debating now on whether to fix it and keep it or trade it for a BX1860.

Glad they found it. That high labor cost is why I just had my HST changed out for just a few hundred $ more.
larry

jerkyboy · Jul 21, 2011

UWAdventurer said:
Just got an update. The forward relief valve is bad. The dealer says around a $1000 repair. Good news was the rest of the hydrostat looked good, no problems.

The dealer called Kubota and the cause of the valve going bad according to Kubota is the two cylinder engine vibration. Kubota said they have seen "a handful" of bad relief valves and they have all been on the BX1500.

Debating now on whether to fix it and keep it or trade it for a BX1860.

Thoughts everyone? Who has a BX1860 that can give me some pros and cons on it?

Is that the total repair bill? If so, I'd get it fixed and keep it for sure. Also, based on my review of the WSM, it looks like you don't have to pull the HST out to replace the forward high pressure relief valve, am I correct??