Dirt Moving First Workout for the MX5800

[bdhsfz6]

I put my year old MX5800 and BH92 hoe through it's first workout this week. I dug out a shale bank to level an area for a shooting range. I put 8 hours on the clock, mostly ripping red shale with the hoe, using 11 gallons of fuel in the process. I probably could have done it in much less time if I rented a bigger machine but I wanted to see how well the MX handled the task.

I was impressed with the power of the BH92. It did tend to move the tractor around a bit while ripping the tough stuff. I used a 12" bucket on the red shale and tree stumps but probably would have done better with a single tooth ripper. I had no mechanical issues and overall, I was very happy with the performance of the MX.

 

[sea2summit]

How do you like the manual thumb? I had the manual on my BX but got the hydro on my MX and it is my favorite thing next to my grapple

 

[bdhsfz6]

How do you like the manual thumb? I had the manual on my BX but got the hydro on my MX and it is my favorite thing next to my grapple

The manual thumb is a pain when you have to get on and off the tractor frequently to set it up. I use it mostly for picking rocks. For most other tasks, I also use the grapple. I may consider adding the hydro later if the need arises. Shouldn't cost much. Just hoses and a cylinder if I use one of the rear remotes to control it. Did you get the foot operated thumb control valve on your MX?

 

[sea2summit]

The manual thumb is a pain when you have to get on and off the tractor frequently to set it up. I use it mostly for picking rocks. For most other tasks, I also use the grapple. I may consider adding the hydro later if the need arises. Shouldn't cost much. Just hoses and a cylinder if I use one of the rear remotes to control it. Did you get the foot operated thumb control valve on your MX?

Figured as much, that's how I felt about about t on the BX.

I got the foot operated and I don't have any complaints.

 

[scdeerslayer]

The manual thumb is a pain when you have to get on and off the tractor frequently to set it up. I use it mostly for picking rocks. For most other tasks, I also use the grapple. I may consider adding the hydro later if the need arises. Shouldn't cost much. Just hoses and a cylinder if I use one of the rear remotes to control it. Did you get the foot operated thumb control valve on your MX?

You may think that but I looked up the price of just the cylinder last winter and it was nearly $700. I wound up buying a much less expensive cylinder and teeing into the bucket lines with a solenoid valve on the cylinder side line. I've got a push button on the joystick and when I push it both the thumb and cylinder get pressure, release it and only the bucket gets pressure. Got the idea from some threads here, I think I may have pictures of my setup on here somewhere also. I had to modify the thumb a little for fitting clearance and it doesn't tuck up as neatly as it would with an OEM cylinder, but it's a lot better than manually adjusting the thumb and a lot less expensive than the factory setup.

 

[bdhsfz6]

You may think that but I looked up the price of just the cylinder last winter and it was nearly $700. I wound up buying a much less expensive cylinder and teeing into the bucket lines with a solenoid valve on the cylinder side line. I've got a push button on the joystick and when I push it both the thumb and cylinder get pressure, release it and only the bucket gets pressure. Got the idea from some threads here, I think I may have pictures of my setup on here somewhere also. I had to modify the thumb a little for fitting clearance and it doesn't tuck up as neatly as it would with an OEM cylinder, but it's a lot better than manually adjusting the thumb and a lot less expensive than the factory setup.

I saw a post from someone in another forum who used a $150 cylinder from Tractor Supply and some hose from Discount Hydraulics. He used one of his rear remotes. It's a stretch to reach the remote valve on the MX from the BH seat though. I like your idea better. He claimed the whole project cost under $300. That was a couple of years ago so the price may be up some now. Even so, it will be far cheaper than what Kubota gets for the OEM hydro option.