Do your own Fluids and Filters on a BX

sixdogs · Jan 27, 2017

Maybe double check the parts list on Messick's site?

Poopdeck Pappy · Jan 27, 2017

zoltanthegypsy said:
Got to ask... Does the '23 have a locking tab and small bolt next to the strainer like my '24 does? It comes out first...

dodge man said:
Mine also had a locking tab and bolt. Maybe yours is covered with gunk?

sixdogs said:
Maybe double check the parts list on Messick's site?

Nope, the BX23 doesn't use a locking tab like my BX2660 does. I doused it with some Kroil today, and I'll give it a go again tomorrow. I would hate to change the hydraulic fluid and not be able to clean the screen.

sixdogs · Jan 27, 2017

Be careful and make 100% sure what you are doing so you don't have an unexpected disaster. Maybe ask JOHNTHOMAS or check a shop manual or something. Sometimes, things can be unexpected because of a serial number break or design change or reverse thread. There is a thread around about a guy that had to drill a hole to install a block plug heater on a Kubota--no big deal--but went a whisker too far and drilled into the cylinder. Not that you could have this problem but you never know and it seems unlikely a bolt would be on that tight without an explanation. Just my two cents having been in this situation before--and taken the wrong path.

The screen will likely be pretty clean anyway.

Poopdeck Pappy · Jan 27, 2017

That's good advice, and I appreciate it.

Poopdeck Pappy · Jan 27, 2017

Here is a pic of the bolt head for the filter screen on the BX23:

sixdogs · Jan 27, 2017

You could also stop by a Kubota dealer and ask a guy in the shop. I have done that.

JOHNTHOMAS · Jan 28, 2017

If you feel you have to do it then use an impact drill/air wrench.
I wouldn't worry about it myself if the drained oil didn't have metal particles in it when feeling of it with your hand. My belief is the strainer is of most value at the first fluid change when it catches the metal particles from the manufacture of the machine and also/then the filter is the catcher of metal particles which would only be there if something has gone wrong after the first time. :2cents:

sixdogs · Jan 28, 2017

Do BX trans/hyd filters have a magnet in them like bigger Kubotas?

dodge man · Jan 28, 2017

That pic doesn't look like mine but it could be different than mine. Maybe it's different because of the subframe for the backhoe.

JOHNTHOMAS · Mar 20, 2017

Poopdeck Pappy said:
Nope, the BX23 doesn't use a locking tab like my BX2660 does. I doused it with some Kroil today, and I'll give it a go again tomorrow. I would hate to change the hydraulic fluid and not be able to clean the screen.

Did you get it off?

JOHNTHOMAS · Jun 11, 2017

Bump for PaPow to do his own 50 hour service on his BX.

BX23S-1 · Jun 11, 2017

JOHNTHOMAS said:
Bump for PaPow to do his own 50 hour service on his BX.

Thanks John, greatly appreciate it...!!!!

JOHNTHOMAS · Jun 18, 2017

PaPow said:
Thanks John, greatly appreciate it...!!!!

Glad to do it. Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words but this thread has the pics and the words for FREE!:cool2: Looks like almost 120,000 views of this thread. Lots of BX owners but can help other tractor owners to see how easy it is.

sixdogs · Jun 18, 2017

JOHNTHOMAS said:
Glad to do it. Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words but this thread has the pics and the words for FREE!:cool2: Looks like almost 120,000 views of this thread. Lots of BX owners but can help other tractor owners to see how easy it is.

It is easy, even on bigger equipment and if someone has a question they can just come in, type the question and get the answer. We have all done similar and we have the unique advantage of JOHNTHOMAS who has first hand experience on many models. That's how I learned.

JOHNTHOMAS · Jun 22, 2017

sixdogs said:
It is easy, even on bigger equipment and if someone has a question they can just come in, type the question and get the answer. We have all done similar and we have the unique advantage of JOHNTHOMAS who has first hand experience on many models. That's how I learned.

I have had several models and have learned some things at a price and with experience. I have a great dealer (Barlows) who gives me good trade in prices with good buying prices. Lots of my trading/buying has also come about due to changes of needs of buying/selling property.
TBN is a very useful site with many owners willing to share their experience and also some willing to share what they know not.

Just ask/observe if answers come from experience or I think or I heard or I test drove a machine. Even experience can be "off" based on someones failing to understand the limits of a certain machine or heaven forbid that rare "lemon" produced or a manufacture engineering mistake that makes a great series machine that is engineered with issues like the BX50 series and the BX25D1. Kubota usually fixes the "problem(s)" sometimes quickly but doesn't "fix" the defective machines. They just change the series number and nevr "fess up" to there being a problem/issue/defect.

BX23S-1 · Jun 22, 2017

JOHNTHOMAS said:
I have had several models and have learned some things at a price and with experience. I have a great dealer (Barlows) who gives me good trade in prices with good buying prices. Lots of my trading/buying has also come about due to changes of needs of buying/selling property.
TBN is a very useful site with many owners willing to share their experience and also some willing to share what they know not. Just ask/observe if answers come from experience or I think or I heard or I test drove a machine. Even experience can be "off" based on someones failing to understand the limits of a certain machine or heaven forbid that rare "lemon" produced or a manufacture engineering mistake that makes a great series machine that is engineered with issues like the BX50 series and the BX25D1. Kubota usually fixes the "problem(s)" sometimes quickly but doesn't "fix" the defective machines. They just change the series number and nevr "fess up" to there being a problem/issue/defect.

You nailed it John...!!!!!

dragoneggs · Aug 12, 2017

Almost hit 400hrs (393) and decided to do the maintenance while weather is nice for a change. Changed oil/filter, transmission/filter, and front axle oil. All went pretty smooth. Biggest pain in the butt was removing the Brotek skid plate to get access to the tranny filter. Second biggest pain was installing the engine cowling after I was done. Broke the little tab off of one of the plastic retaining clips. the fluid changes themselves were simple.

All was going well with little mess until the end. I was filling the front axle that I had lifted off the ground and didn't realize the fuild was coming out of the breather hole on the opposite side. Big mess in the driveway. Oh well. Feels good to have that done. Still need to replace the two fuel filters but that will be another day. Thinking about it, I should have at least replaced the upper fuel filter while I had the cowling off. :mur:

zoltanthegypsy · Aug 12, 2017

dragoneggs said:
...Broke the little tab off of one of the plastic retaining clips...

Welcome to the *fender* washer club. Hmmm, that's _almost_ a pun

Z.

Tractor Seabee · Aug 12, 2017

dragoneggs said:
Almost hit 400hrs (393) and decided to do the maintenance while weather is nice for a change. Changed oil/filter, transmission/filter, and front axle oil. All went pretty smooth. Biggest pain in the butt was removing the Brotek skid plate to get access to the tranny filter. Second biggest pain was installing the engine cowling after I was done. Broke the little tab off of one of the plastic retaining clips. the fluid changes themselves were simple.

View attachment 518364 View attachment 518365

All was going well with little mess until the end. I was filling the front axle that I had lifted off the ground and didn't realize the fuild was coming out of the breather hole on the opposite side. Big mess in the driveway. Oh well. Feels good to have that done. Still need to replace the two fuel filters but that will be another day. Thinking about it, I should have at least replaced the upper fuel filter while I had the cowling off. :mur:

Mark, you must have missed the post I did a couple years ago. Just mount that second filter underneath like the other one. After breaking one of those OEM plastic ones and losing 5 GL diesel on something; I went to the metal cased generic ones. The 2 hoses just interchanged. Was able to manage it w/o removing the cowling. Also get one of those finger type filter wrenches made to go on a 3/8 socket extension. Oil filter changing is done w/o removing the cowling. I have banged up my cowling and hood so much when I had the forest that am thinking of replacing both this winter. Sure rattles a lot w/a lot of the connection points broken. The age of plastics.

Ron