BX25D. Mod #1 and continued.

[aczlan]

Paul, did you build the weight bracket too, looks like that little feller would fall over forward if you unhooked the implement.

Yes, he did. Here is a thread where he talked a little about it:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/269815-suitcase-weights-bx.html

Aaron Z

 

[ultrarunner]

I think your talking about dynamat its available from eastwoods.com.

The scrap I used is labeled 3M Y370 aviation... dense foam with a aluminum backing that weighs next to nothing... I found it in the rafters of the garage... the man I bought the home from was a pilot going all the way back to a Navy Fighter ACE in WWII

Edit... Just found this on the net...

Scotch Y-370 is a vibration damping foam that is very widely used in metal aircraft. The heavy, 1/4”-thick, dense polyurethane foam has aluminum foil on one side and a pressure sensitive adhesive on the other. Aircraft Spruce and Specialty sells Scotch Y-370 as “Sound and Vibration Damping Tape.”

Remember, this type of material is a shock-absorber for vibrations in a panel—it is not a sound absorbing material.

 

[4shorts]

Yes the infamous BX air cleaner bracket...

First time I heard the rattle I thought the worst and was relieved to find it was only the bracket had let go...

On a separate note... always thought the hood was a little tinny on my BX... found some aircraft anti-vibe material from about 30 years ago and decided to give it a try... the 3M damping material made a noticeable difference and was as simple as peel and stick...

Man that BX1800 almost does a back flip shutting down. It's a wonder everything just don't break. That's a good idea using the dampening mats. I might try them. Yup. Great idea.

Hey, I like that ! Yikes..... I can just imagine what a replacement filter would cost at my local Kubota dealer.......:confused2:

Well the vac was $100. so you know a genuine Kubota filter will be $150. Lol. It's a great vacuum though.

I doubt Kubota actually made the vacuum. My guess would be that another company is the manufacturer and has made it to Kubota specs and authorized to use their name. There is likely filters that will fit it available from other places than a Kubota dealer. I might not be right in my thinking, and my wife often tries to convince me I am not always right, but sometimes I get a little deaf while she is speaking!

I never saw the vacuums on their web site. Are there other products made by/for Kubota? John Deere seems to be the most seen tractor name in the toy department, but you do occasionally see a few Kubota tractors. Maybe I just haven't found the proper place to shop for these things.

Kubota is getting their name out there much like Deere and Harley by selling this sort of stuff.

Paul, did you build the weight bracket too, looks like that little feller would fall over forward if you unhooked the implement.

Ya I had to build it and add the weights. That ice resurfacer is a heavy unit and the tractor wanted to pop wheelies with out them.

Yes, he did. Here is a thread where he talked a little about it:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/269815-suitcase-weights-bx.html

Aaron Z

Man you are a great researcher :laughing:

Well I can now say I've done a horizontal stack conversion on a Deere

 

[farmgirl19]

I'll convert you to GREEN yet! :laughing: Great job, as usual!

 

[4shorts]

I'll convert you to GREEN yet! :laughing: Great job, as usual!

Well considering where you've seen me in the last 24 hours your half way there :laughing:

 

[sixdogs]

4shorts--I still don't understand why the "resurface" Kubota shown in post 1496 with all the weight on it doesn't tear the front frame off the tractor. I know it hasn't and that you got it right but it amazes me it will take that much weight when the frame looks much too thin. How did you determine how much weight to use or was it just a 4shorts hunch? Were you 100% confident or did you just keep adding weight and trying it out? That is an amazing picture.

 

[4shorts]

4shorts--I still don't understand why the "resurface" Kubota shown in post 1496 with all the weight on it doesn't tear the front frame off the tractor. I know it hasn't and that you got it right but it amazes me it will take that much weight when the frame looks much too thin. How did you determine how much weight to use or was it just a 4shorts hunch? Were you 100% confident or did you just keep adding weight and trying it out? That is an amazing picture.

This project was commissioned by my friend who is a machinical engineer. When he first approached me to do the project he asked me to convert a Honda 350 Fourtrax to an ice resurfacer but I was dead set against that idea. It would have created too many obstacles and for the time frame I had to do it so I had to come up with an alternative so I found a used BX1800 and went from there.

I don't remember off hand the weight of the resurfacer but I guesstimated what the front counter weight would roughly be which turned out to be 550 lbs. My buddy the engineer didn't add any professional help at all but then again I didn't ask him.

When I got the counter weight on and the ice resurfacer mounted I ran into a problem that really had me worried. The 3pt hitch couldn't and wouldn't lift the resurfacer. This was a major issue because if it couldn't lift, it couldn't be used.

I got around that issue by cutting 1.5" of each of the 3pt lift arms. It didn't seem like much but it would lift the resurfacer at idle after that.

After that issue was solved I plumbed the hydraulics and the job was completed and worked perfectly.
Customer was very happy with the set up. I'm hoping to get over to his place soon to do a video to put up on YouTube.

 

[farm88]

I havent seen a video of the grappler yet. I guees it doesn't work.

 

[Kubotafan]

I havent seen a video of the grappler yet. I guees it doesn't work.

I don't believe you really think that!!!!

 

[4shorts]

I havent seen a video of the grappler yet. I guees it doesn't work.

 

[4shorts]

We have an elderly customer who have been coming to our shop for years. Last year he had to have heart surgery and after that he decided to purchase a new Kubota BX-25 to help with his snow clearing.

When the dealer delivered it our customer he used it for 15 minutes but hit his patio and put it in his shed and never used it after. It's been parked for 15 months and not used.
I've asked him a number of times if he's used the machine but he kept telling me he haven't had any time yet he went all last winter using a shovel to clear his snow.

Well last week I asked him again and he fessed up and told me he's nervous around the tractor. I sat him down in our office and asked him if he wanted me to go over to his place in a near by town and spend the afternoon with him and his BX. He got all excited about that idea.

Today I went over and got it out of the shed. It had two hours on it. He had a ballast box and 3pt hitch that I had got for him so my plan was to remove the back hoe and install it but he started telling me he had a stump he'd like to dig up and he also wanted a wooden post put in so that's what I did.

While I was doing it I would stop and give him some pointers getting him familiar with the machine. I could see he was really enjoying the afternoon. His wife even came out and got involved.

After we got the digging done we got the pressure washer out and cleaned the tractor then installed the 3pt hitch and ballast box. He built a new shed to put it in so I backed it in for him.

It was a great afternoon and time well spent. He's much more comfortable around the machine now but I told him to call me if he needed some more help. I think he'll be using the tractor more from now on.

Here's a few pics of the afternoon.

 

[dragoneggs]

Way to go...!!!

 

[farmgirl19]

Cool story, 4shorts! Also makes for the good times we all look back on! Very neat! Thanks for sharing!

 

[Kubotafan]

That was one way to get more seat time!!!!

 

[wwinter]

What a great Thanksgiving post, Paul. I am sure everyone will agree there is just not enough of you to go around. My thanks to you for your compassion in helping this gentleman. Hopefully he can begin to enjoy his Kubota to its fullest.

 

[Jeff F.]

That is the difference between being a male and being a man.... You are a good man 4shorts

 

[sixdogs]

Congratulations, 4shorts, you are a good egg to help someone out like that.

 

[4shorts]

Thanks everyone. I had a few concerns with this situations. The poor man had spent some good money yet wasn't reaping the rewards from it. I asked him many times over if he used the machine but he said he hadn't. Now that he admitted he was nervous it was an easy fix.

Helping him meant he got to know the machine without risk of getting injured. Showing him just what the machine can do will make him want to continue using it and considering how much business he's given us over the years it was our time to give back so it was a win win situation for all.

Look around your area. I'm sure there's people who really could use a little help. Hey, one day it will be us needing the help.

 

[ultrarunner]

We had some 65 mph wind Thursday night for hours...

One of my elderly neighbors called me last night and said they can't use the drive past the garage because a big tree had fallen and all the tree guys are busy...

This morning I drove over with the BX and was just able to drag it away and tipped it into a ravine they have out back... no one burns because of the no-burn law...

It's great to be able to help someone out in a few minutes on a problem they had been fretting over all day...

I think a lemon cake with my name is coming soon ;-)

 

[varmint]

Paul, you are doing good. Thanks for posting the story and the photos. Makes me wonder what next for you?!