BX2230 - My thoughts

[r0GuE]

Ok, so this morning I went to check out the new 2230.
I didn't care for the badgeing changes. They were a bit flashy. I have no clue why one would want cruise control on a hydrostatic transmission tractor. I don't think it could be any easier than that foot peddal. I did think the air filter mount was much better. This should be a recall item and we BX owners should all get this new mount. The hood release was better. The diff lock peddal was different, but I don't know why. The headlights are different, and probably better than the BX lights.
Overall, not much different. Am I wrong on the cruise issue? I know I have no need for it and I just really can't picture the BX doing such large tracts of land that you would feel the need to set the accelerator via cruise control. Just seems silly. But it is nice to have that vacant slot filled with something!

 

[Junkman]

I have cruise control on a old Bolens and it is a nice feature when cutting grass.... it allows you to just sit there and steer... could I do with out it, definitely, but at my advanced age, every creature comfort is an added bonus to life. Would I upgrade to get it.... definitely not... I would like to see the two tractor side by side so it would be easy to compare the differences.

 

[ronjhall]

<font color="blue"> Am I wrong on the cruise issue? I know I have no need for it and I just really can't picture the BX doing such large tracts of land that you would feel the need to set the accelerator via cruise control. Just seems silly. </font>

r0GuE
I use my cruise control on my B2910 more than I thought I would. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I have a section of land that I bush hog that is over 700' long. On those runs it's nice to set the cruise control.
When I'm rototilling it is a good way to control speed. Most of the time I’m in low range and running at the slowest speed that tractor will move.
I don't use it for lawn cutting because there are no long runs and the tractor is moving a lot faster.

 

[art]

I have mixed emotions on the cruise. I don't normally have to much time so I'm always on the petal trying to get a little more as I don't need to look to hard to find my next chore. The hydro's advantage using the PTO is the flexability of speed while working to enhance the job or maybe take a little less time out of the day. I have used the cruise for driving down the road but I've yet to find it much of an enhancement for doing work.

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I have mixed emotions on the cruise )</font>

No mixed emotions here; I like to have it, even though it was pretty rarely used. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif When I had 30 acres to brush hog or when I was going seven and three-quarter miles down the road to my brother's place, sure was handy at those infrequent times.

 

[r0GuE]

Come to think of it, I don't even use the cruise on a car. I guess I like to be in control a little more.

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I don't even use the cruise on a car )</font>

And I'm exactly the opposite. I probably use the cruise control on the car as much or more than anyone. Sure would hate to have a car or pickup without it.

 

[Charliebrn]

I liked the springs that are used to eliminate the hood rattle, I'm going to try and order some. I liked the new headlights, and the cruise would be handy at times.

I'm not sure I liked the new engine (D902 vs the old D905), thought it has the exact same specs. the top of the engine is about 3" lower than the old one, so you'll need a long-necked funnel for oil changes.

I do like the new loader setup, the lock mechanism is great, something I wish I could add to mine.

Overall, I think it's an improvement. I wish they had fixed the hydro pedal, though they did properly fix the air cleaner mount.

 

[5030]

Bird:

I'm with you on the cruise. The car and the tractor.

The 5030 has the cruise lever next to the range control on the LH Side. I actually use the lever to drive the tractor about 90 percent of the time. I just use the floor pedal for loader work or for positioning the tractor to hook up a rear mount implement or something on the draw bar. With the 5030, applying the brakes will immediately release the cruise lever.

The nice thing about the cruise lever is that in conjunction with the digital speed readout, it's a peice of cake to set your ground speed when doing field work like I do.

One nice thing about cruise in your road vehicle. It keeps you honest with the speed cops.

 

[r0GuE]

HA HA!
Good point on the hydro peddal. Come to think of it, my BX does have cruise! I just take my foot off the hydro and on and on I go! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[Rimmer]

"I'm not sure I liked the new engine (D902 vs the old D905)..."

Charliebrn --

Are you sure about that engine designation? A misprint in a brochure, maybe??

My BX23 has a D905-E, as confirmed by checking the nameplate on top of the engine.

As an aside, it is interesting to note that the emissions label on the engine states "15.5 kW," which is the Industrial Use Gross Intermittent rating at 3000 RPM as given at:

http://www.engine.kubota.ne.jp/english/prod/01_2.html

while both the sales literature and the Operator's Manual specify 16.4 kW at 3200 RPM. The graphs at the Web site (op cit) seem to give slightly different numbers, if I'm reading them correctly.

/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[paco]

I have recently considered trading up to a B7800 from my bx2200. The Kubota brochure for the B7800 list the engine as a 3 cyclinder. Kubota web site says 4 cyclinder. I believe it is a four cyclinder.

 

[Charliebrn]

Yea, I know, that's what I first thought when I read the brochure, however, I verified it myself in person. The BX2300 has a D902 engine while the BX23 has a D905. (my dealer had both new models side-by-side for easy comparison. Both engines have the exact same specs, except the D902 is physically smaller. I would suspect that the next iteration of the BX23 will have this engine as well. My BX2200 has the D905 as well.

 

[art]

The engine changes might be do to emission complance. Kubota has worked very hard at leading the industry with small engines that run and burn clean.