MOWING IN HIGH RANGE

[mlange2009]

Been doing it since day one,someone told me DON'T DO THAT!!!!! will this hurt my bx??? high range 1600-2200 rpm,takes me 3.5 hours to mow

 

[dodge man]

I mow in low range, but I don't think its a problem mowing in high, unless you have a lot of steep hills.

 

[Thomas]

Should be okay if you don't bog engine down push on HST pedal.

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

You say RPM range is 1600 - 2200. Perhaps it's different with a BX, but I'd check your owners manual to determine what the correct PTO speed is for the mower you are using. For example on my JD the setting for correct PTO speed is approx 2,500 RPM.

 

[jlsmith]

depending on how rough the land is and how thick the grass is i uselly mow in high 1 or 2 if its thick im in low 3 or 4. been doing it for years.:thumbsup:

 

[dodge man]

I mow at full throttle on my BX. Don't baby it, its meant to be run wide open for mowing.

 

[bp fick]

Been doing it since day one,someone told me DON'T DO THAT!!!!! will this hurt my bx??? high range 1600-2200 rpm,takes me 3.5 hours to mow

Those RPM settings seem far too low according to my experience. I need to push the RPMs up to about 2900 for efficiency in both cooling, HST performance, and PTO speed. hmmmmm.....

 

[TripleR]

It won't hurt to mow in high range, but the RPM for MMM is 2800 or so and rear PTO is 3000 or so. I didn't have a tach on my 2200, so I ran it full out and ten years later my son in law is doing the same.

 

[rjkobbeman]

It won't hurt to mow in high range, but the RPM for MMM is 2800 or so and rear PTO is 3000 or so. I didn't have a tach on my 2200, so I ran it full out and ten years later my son in law is doing the same.

Exactly. The problem with mowing in high range isn't so much than you are in high range, but the fact that you probably are not running at the correct engine/PTO RPM.

There are several issues at mowing at the incorrect RPM. On the bigger machines (meaning, not my HST lawn mower) I don't know if low RPM is bad for the HST or not. On my mower, I HAVE run wide open to keep the HST from overheating.

On my gear (hydraulic shuttle) tractor, I have to run in low range or my ground speed is WAY WAY too fast. I run in 2nd or 3rd in low range.

 

[bp fick]

The OP is getting good advice here. I think he is operating virtually in reverse of what should be done.

Mowing in high range, but slogging along with low RPM.

Much, much rather see low range, with high RPM. Can you "hurt" your BX by doing what you've been doing? I'd say there's a risk, as you do indeed risk overheating and lugging on the engine and attendant drive train, not to mention a lousy cut from slow spinning blades.

 

[wrooster]

Been doing it since day one,someone told me DON'T DO THAT!!!!! will this hurt my bx??? high range 1600-2200 rpm,takes me 3.5 hours to mow

on a BX:

low range, 3000+ RPM -- first, you'll get a better cut (more vacuum to stand the grass up straight, and more blade tip speed to sever the grass). second, the tractor makes a ton more power/torque at 3000+ RPM compared to 1600 RPM. the MMM is designed for 1000 RPM midPTO input; depending on which BX model you have you will need to run the engine above 3000 RPM to achieve that. consult your manual about what engine speed corresponds to 1000 RPM midPTO speed.

the way you are doing it with the throttle set at 1600-2200 RPM is not beneficial to anything; neither the tractor nor the grass is better off for it. you are not going to hurt your BX by increasing mowing RPMs; the Kubota diesel engines used in the BX series are designed for thousands of hours of continuous use at full rated output power. you will run out of the desire to cut grass a long time before running out of tractor.

wrooster

 

[radioman]

I think the OP got advice from someone who not familar with BX's diesels. At the rated MMM pto rated speed (3200), the engine sounds like it screaming, but that is how it is designed to run. We can assure you that its all ok and its not a problem to run higher RPM's, even mowing in high (rabbit) gear. If you are happy with the cut in high gear, lower rpm's without boggin the engine, then by all means run it that way. The only thing I would change is the 1600 rpms is somewhat too low for MMM work and in high gear. I engage at 1200-1800 and rev up to 2200-3200 depending on grass height, type, quality of cut.

 

[TheFlatlander]

I have had a couple of BX's and with past experience as well as my current one I mow with engine at WOT or very close to get the proper PTO speed and that produces the proper tip speed on the blades for an optimal cut as they designed for. Now as to speed and range. I always use high range and very my speed as appropriate to ground/obstacle conditions with the hydrostatic drive. I find that in open areas with reasonable grass height that I am able to cut as fast as the tractor will go.

 

[Will_C]

I mowed with a BX for 9 years-just shy of WOT, high range and used the pedal to control speed. Not saying that's the only way, but it worked fine for me.

Will

 

[pdowling1]

I second what Flatlander said. High RPMS are better for that machine, and you will get much better mower performance at WOT.

 

[jesseb3@att.net]

I run my BX2350 at 2900, while my buddy runs his BX2230 at WOT. Why don't I run at WOT? I dunno'... probably cause I have a tach and I don't like seeing it run at 3200 (I think that's what WOT reaches).

The friend doesn't have a tach... his ignorance is truly bliss.

Oh, and I mow in high range. Not sure how/why you would damage it in high range... unless you're towing a car while mowing.

 

[timswi]

I mow on my BX23 in low range with WOT...I could do it in high range and vary the speed...I just run it floored and screaming in low. been doing it for 6 years and it does a great job.

Honestly, I'm in no real hurry to get through the grass cutting. it's the only peace I get

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

I have run the BX for the last 8 years at WOT and in high to cut the grass. As others have said, increase the RPM and perhaps you can cut for 3 hours instead of 3.5 with the higher RPM and ground speed as a result of the higher RPM.

 

[BotaBigot]

Like most others...3K plus/minus 100 depending on conditions. Hi range, but that's on flat ground. Lo gives more precise control, if lots of obstacles. When mowing hilly areas, I switch to lo. Anticipate...any time you need to switch, do it on level ground, stopped...HST completely disengages going from one to other and gears are not synchronized. On a hill is not a good time to be in "neutral," even for a moment...

 

[Volfandt]

Interesting, just goes to show theres many ways to skin a cat

For me I run my BX23 just a tad under WOT, high gear, 2wd and I mow as fast as the terrain allows. She's pretty nimble and very responsive like that, gives me the best finish cut too.
When digging or working in heavy dirt it's the same as I likes the response of my hydraulics at pto rpm. Been doing it like that for alittle over 500hrs, since 2004.
The engine sound @ pto speed doesn't bother me. Matter of fact it sounds like victory to me
To expand alittle more re. rpm. I will admit that when transporting I've been known to use lower rpm, varying based on desired speed and terrain, and usually it's about 3/4 throttle also in high gear.
Basically I only use low for special circumstances when I needs that grunt applied directly to the ground.
And I never idle at the lowest setting, those vibrations are known to break air filter brackets as well as shake like crazy and thus far, no breakie
Info overload fer-sher but what the hey, ask a question on the internet & these things happen....
Dave