Mowing BX2350 mowing newbe

[mac1968]

I just recently purchased a bx2350 and mowed with for the first time this weekend. I know there has to be an operator error as it left marks in my yard. My yard is new, still has holes and bumps etc. But everywhere I made turns or on inclines it would leave marks. I like to mow my grass short . I set the scalp wheels low and mowed where the wheels where just above the grass. Any suggestions. Also is there a way to make the deck return back to the height you orignially had it. I know this is just some set up issues I have to work through. I mowed with my FEL still on, I don't know if that has anything to do with or not. One more thing I noticed was, that it beat me to death. I didn't know if once again if the FEL being on it effected that or not.

 

[megaboz]

Welcome to the neigborhood.

I may not be able to answer all your questions since I have a BX 24, but I will try.

Mowing with the FEL. There is no reason why you can't leave it on, but my recommendation is to take it off. It does add some weight to the front and can cause it to bounce a little bit more. IMO, it just makes it easier to cut around things and not as easy to clip something important.

Rough ride, well not much you can do about that other than fill in the holes. The tractor should identify all of them for you.

Marks? What kind of marks, if you have other than turf tires, it is possible that when making tight turns it could tear up the ground, especially if you have to run 4WD. If you don't run 4WD, becareful of hills, it will/could take off on you and take you on a ride. Just make sure you have the mower level. The instructions in the book for the mower deck are pretty detailed.

Make the deck return? Return to where? There should be a knob that adjust the deck height.

 

[rpoage]

First welcome to the forum and congratulations on your new BX. There are several things I notice when I switched from a garden tractor to a Sub Cut (BX2350). First additional weight will leave more pronounced tire marks. The marks you see on the turf are from the anti/scalp gauge wheels. The deck on the BX is a suspended deck and when I turn sharply on uneven ground the inside gauge wheel will dig in. My cure is to use a mowing pattern that limits sharp turns on slopes. Other that mowing (and setting gauge wheels) higher this is my only choice. I also mow at 3 3/4" to 4" in the heat of the summer and 3 1/2" in the spring and fall.
As for the rough ride, I feel your pain, No really I feel your pain, back and kidneys take a beating. I just had my 50 hr and my competent dealer reset my tire pressures to factory spec and I swear the seat belt was the only thing keeping me on the seat. 3 to 4 lbs lower tire pressure on the front and rear tires for a smoother ride. Note that I go back to the factory setting when using the FEL. Low front tire pressures WILL cause problems using the FEL. Adjusting tire pressures on the rear will also depend on whether they are filled or not. Also mowing with the FEL will not help the ride issues. It's so easy to remove and install it make no sense to mow with it. Make it a lot less like to do property damage also

 

[LBrown59]

I like to mow my grass short ..

That's your first mistake.
Most people mow to short.
I mow at 4'' and my yard looks better than the neighbors on each side who mow to short.
I like my green grass much better than their browned out burnt out looking lawns.
BTY:
My yard don't look all that much taller than theirs either.

 

[mac1968]

megaboz, I am talking about the deck cutting into the yard, making marks (uneven) in the yard. I guess I should have said in the begining, when I went to pick up my tractor it was raining and the dealer didn't have much time to go over anything with me.

What I was referring to on height is if I start mowing and then have to raise the deck for some reason, is there a way to make it go back to the exact setting it was before without guessing.....

I guess this is where I don't understand, the dealer told me to lower my deck to where the deck wheels are just above touching the ground.

How do you set the mower to cut at 3.5 inches or 4 inches or whatever depth you would like. I don't want to sound stupid and really appreciate any help, I am wondering if in the rush to beat the rain and my tractor out if the dealer didn't give me all the owners manuals. I the little info he did give me I have seen anything on the mowing or deck control.

Thanks again, and this is my first tractor. I had a riding mower before this, so please be patient with me as I am new and learning.

 

[megaboz]

megaboz, I am talking about the deck cutting into the yard, making marks (uneven) in the yard. I guess I should have said in the begining, when I went to pick up my tractor it was raining and the dealer didn't have much time to go over anything with me.

What I was referring to on height is if I start mowing and then have to raise the deck for some reason, is there a way to make it go back to the exact setting it was before without guessing.....

I guess this is where I don't understand, the dealer told me to lower my deck to where the deck wheels are just above touching the ground.

How do you set the mower to cut at 3.5 inches or 4 inches or whatever depth you would like. I don't want to sound stupid and really appreciate any help, I am wondering if in the rush to beat the rain and my tractor out if the dealer didn't give me all the owners manuals. I the little info he did give me I have seen anything on the mowing or deck control.

Thanks again, and this is my first tractor. I had a riding mower before this, so please be patient with me as I am new and learning.

When you are on your seat, between your legs should be an adjustment knob with number 1 through 4 and dots in between. This is your cut heght. I typically leave mine around 3 1/2 (like others have said). Most likely yours is at the TOP (should be on the knowb too.) At TOP the deck will drop as far as it can go. Also, it is posible since it is hydralic, that it could drop lower than what you positioned it at, that is why you set the height adjustment. Typically the only time the knob should be at the TOP is when you are removing the deck.

As far as the knob placement, that is where it is on my BX24, I think it is roughly the same on your tractor as well.

 

[LBrown59]

1*I set the scalp wheels low and mowed where the wheels where just above the grass.
2*Also is there a way to make the deck return back to the height you originally had it.
3*I know this is just some set up issues I have to work through.
4*I mowed with my FEL still on, I don't know if that has anything to do with or not.
5*One more thing I noticed was, that it beat me to death.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1*That's not how you do it.
Where did you have the cutting height knob set when you set the scalp wheels?
Here is how I set my Scalp wheels on my BX23 which is the same tractor as yours except I have the BACK HOE attachment.
Parked tractor on the level smooth concrete patio.
Raised the mower to it's highest lifted position, you must do this before you can turn cutting height knob in either direction.
Set the cutting height knob to its lowest setting.
Lowered the mower till it was stopped by the cutting height knob, not the scalp wheels.
Set the scalp wheels to where they were about 1/4 to 1/2 inch above the patio surface.
Raised the mower back up to it's highest lifted position.
Reset the cutting height knob to 4'' and all done.
2*That's what the cutting height knob does.
3*YUP
4*No it don't.
5*My BX23 rides very nice mowing even with the BH and FEL both installed on it at once.
You're probably going to fast is why yer gettin beat up.
L brown59:

PS I also have a BX1500 with a front blade and a rear tiller that rides fine with both of those implements on it at the same time.
My other BX1500 with a 48'' MMM rides real nice also.

 

[CHDinCT]

When you are on your seat, between your legs should be an adjustment knob with number 1 through 4 and dots in between. This is your cut heght. I typically leave mine around 3 1/2 (like others have said). Most likely yours is at the TOP (should be on the knowb too.) At TOP the deck will drop as far as it can go. Also, it is posible since it is hydralic, that it could drop lower than what you positioned it at, that is why you set the height adjustment. Typically the only time the knob should be at the TOP is when you are removing the deck.

As far as the knob placement, that is where it is on my BX24, I think it is roughly the same on your tractor as well.

megaboz, maybe the BX24 is different but on my BX1850 setting the deck height knob to "Top" keeps the deck all the way up so you can raise and lower the 3 point hitch without moving the deck.

mac1968, before you turn that knob you should raise the deck all the way up. That way the weight is on the 3PH rock shaft and not the knob. Then rotate the knob to whatever setting you want to mow at. When you drop the deck, it will stop at that height every time and you won't be guessing at the height. With the deck lowered to the height you want to mow at, adjust the gauge wheels so they stick down below the deck a 1/4" to 1/2" based on preference.

 

[mac1968]

thanks guys....This info really helped. I will make the changes and test it this weekend.

 

[miker2702]

did not read all the replys but i had the same problem
on a used bx2200 i bought this year. turned out to be the deck wasnt level
adjusted that and now can mow on 3 3.5 4 with out any problems no matter
how tight the turn is. everyone has a opinion on what height to mow at
do what you want your mower your yard. set the height you want then adjust
the scalping wheels accordingly.