BX2200 HST get HOT?

[jesseb3@att.net]

Do you have an FEL and/or rear implement attached? That extra weight will cause the BX to struggle on hills while mowing. Running "naked" it should be able to mow quite well in high range on most terrain. My buddy mowed with his BX2230 in high range, throttle screaming, pedal to the floor. Only on some steep hills did he have to lift his foot. My BX2350 operates the same (but it cuts poorly at those speeds.) They certainly don't like to start from a standing stop - or accelerate - on a hill in high range.

I disagree with those that feel mowing should always be done in low range. It depends on the terrain.

Good luck!
Jesse

 

[chim]

My thought is any HST can overheat if pressed to the limit. When I had my B7500 the hydro fluid heated to the point the steering felt like it wanted to be jerky while turning the steering wheel. It felt "lumpy". I did shoot the hydro fluid cooling coils but forget what the readings were. To experiment a bit, I kept the tractor running, raised the hood and hit the coils with a garden hose. The temp dropped and the steering went back to normal.

This happened while pulling a 5' Landpride RFM through thick tall grass - some of which was uphill. The Landpride was built like a tank and was probably the max for that tractor. I have another 5' deck made by Caroni that weighs much, much less than the Landpride did. I used it a few times behind the B7500 and it was a real featherweight.

 

[leadslingingdaddy]

My backyard hill is about 150yrds long. I have been putting it in L and climbing while mowing and then reverting back to H. Also cutting the hill sideways to use gravity...But the suspended deck leaves a strip of high grass as it rides higher on the one edge when the tractor is slanted...I had a Super Garden Cub Cadet (18hp) that had no issue with the hill and I was pushing a 60 Haban deck, but I mark it up to the Kubota being a heavier tractor....

I am going to change the filter and clean the strainer here in the near future.

 

[JWR]

First, a 20 degree slope is getting very close to a 40% slope. See the chart inserted here. That is not too much challenge for a good farm tractor but a bit of a challenge for most lawn machines. Most if not all the time you will need 4wd to get up it. I have no idea in this world why anyone would try (or want to) mow that steep a slope in high range. Everything about the circumstance is better for you mowing in low range. Yes, your hydrostatic transmission will get hot if you persist on that kind of slope in high range. No reason to do so ! Note that one of the compromises on these rather expensive (yet very nice) little machines is having only a 2-speed transmission. The larger Kubotas have 3 ranges rather than two which would be a great feature on these smaller machines. I doubt there is anything wrong -- just use low range.

 

[JWR]

20% is pretty steep - that's like expert ski run steep. My BX2200 climbs a ~25% grade (6ft up in ~25-30ft) with no problem - doesn't look steep in the attached pic but it feels steep going up. My worst issue is the rears breaking loose and burning a stripe in the grass up the hill...and that is in high, pedal mashed to the floor, with MMM running.

I've been meaning to look for the HST fan - no clue if it is still intact.

Where is that HST fan ? I can't see it with the deck in place and a bagger in back. Maybe just can't get my head in the right place. Owner's manual is no help in this regard.

 

[Grandad4]

Where is that HST fan ? I can't see it with the deck in place and a bagger in back. Maybe just can't get my head in the right place. Owner's manual is no help in this regard.

It's on the front of the transmission case, on the driveshaft going from the engine to the tranny. It's tucked in up above where the mid-pto spline comes out of the transmission. If you're above a certain age, you about have to lie on your back and use a flashlight to see up in there. For me, that involves getting down and up from the creeper, which can be a workout all by itself!

 

[JWR]

It's on the front of the transmission case, on the driveshaft going from the engine to the tranny. It's tucked in up above where the mid-pto spline comes out of the transmission. If you're above a certain age, you about have to lie on your back and use a flashlight to see up in there. For me, that involves getting down and up from the creeper, which can be a workout all by itself!

Thanks. No wonder I have not been able to see it. Is it an open fan or does it have a shield of some sort? Not sure if I can get my head in there with the deck on.

 

[JWR]

It's on the front of the transmission case, on the driveshaft going from the engine to the tranny. It's tucked in up above where the mid-pto spline comes out of the transmission. If you're above a certain age, you about have to lie on your back and use a flashlight to see up in there. For me, that involves getting down and up from the creeper, which can be a workout all by itself!

Thanks. No wonder I have not been able to see it. Is it an open fan or does it have a shield of some sort? Not sure if I can get my head in there with the deck on.

 

[sandyc]

I steal my wife's hand mirrors for jobs like that.

Sent from my iPhone using TractorByNet

 

[Grandad4]

Thanks. No wonder I have not been able to see it. Is it an open fan or does it have a shield of some sort? Not sure if I can get my head in there with the deck on.

It's a plastic fan with no shielding. I guess they underestimated the likelihood owners would take them into conditions where saplings and sticks would get up there to cause damage. While mine is still fine after ten years, some owners have not been so fortunate, and it's supposed to be a bear to replace the thing. Much easier to see with the mower deck removed, which happens frequently with my BX.