New BX1870 - Some observations and questions

dragoneggs · Apr 9, 2014

CHDinCT said:
On the steering shutter with the front wheels turned, are you guys running in FWD? I know that I can feel resistance when turning on dry dirt or grass if turning in FWD. That is just normal 4x4 operation at play. Just want to make sure that's not what you're experiencing.

Yes, exactly my experience too. I try not to 'crank it hard' left or right when in 4WD... which is 99% of the time.

Kevinc2004 · Apr 9, 2014

This is a new machine, what if the SUCTION STRAINER for the hydraulic pump is partially clogged from debris left in the passages during machining and assembly. Also the Front End Loader can have air pockets in it that do not work out until someone starts using it. My BX1860D had a dirty strainer. I pulled it and cleaned it to clear some of the issues described! Then refilled the hydraulics. Check the oil level with the bucket closer to travel position, not on the ground, also have the MMM in the up position, and the 3 pt hitch raised. This will give you a more accurate level on the hydraulic reservoir. You may be sucking in AIR!

Mowbizz · Apr 10, 2014

General Lee said:
Where did you find this magic number? All I've seen in my manual is "do not operate at full speed for the first 50 hours"

Also just curious, where do other bx18XX rpm's top out at? Mine seems to be around 3400

Hmmm...don't think I imagined it...lol I'll check my paperwork...

Couldn't find anything in the book...dealer must have told me this during the walk around before delivery...

General Lee · Apr 10, 2014

Kevinc2004 said:
This is a new machine, what if the SUCTION STRAINER for the hydraulic pump is partially clogged from debris left in the passages during machining and assembly. Also the Front End Loader can have air pockets in it that do not work out until someone starts using it. My BX1860D had a dirty strainer. I pulled it and cleaned it to clear some of the issues described! Then refilled the hydraulics. Check the oil level with the bucket closer to travel position, not on the ground, also have the MMM in the up position, and the 3 pt hitch raised. This will give you a more accurate level on the hydraulic reservoir. You may be sucking in AIR!

Clogged strainer at 2 hours? I guess anything is possible. I have a little over 6 hours on it now. Took the loader off and did some mowing today. Whatever the issue is, I thinks it is with the hydraulics. Maybe the pump. How much oil can I expect to lose when I pull the strainer?

wrooster · Apr 10, 2014

General Lee said:
How much oil can I expect to lose when I pull the strainer?

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/167108-do-your-own-fluids-filters.html

wrooster

Kevinc2004 · Apr 10, 2014

The whole thing on an BX1860 holds roughly 3 gallons of hydraulic oil, my strainer on a 60 is located lower left side, it is the Pump suction strainer! There have been other units that had debris in them from manufacture. I had a brother that mixed non compatible oils in a 30 hp Deere, he had to dump oil and clean the strainer/change filters 3 times before he got it cleaned out!

General Lee · Apr 11, 2014

Kevinc2004 said:
The whole thing on an BX1860 holds roughly 3 gallons of hydraulic oil, my strainer on a 60 is located lower left side, it is the Pump suction strainer! There have been other units that had debris in them from manufacture. I had a brother that mixed non compatible oils in a 30 hp Deere, he had to dump oil and clean the strainer/change filters 3 times before he got it cleaned out!

Oh I believe it. I saw the metal shavings on my other bota's hydro filters when I changed it, as well as other who posted the same issue.

General Lee · Jun 22, 2014

UPDATE

I may have figured out my original problem, inadvertently. While mowing the other day, I started to lose steering to the left side. 30 seconds later I see hydro fluid pouring out from under the front of the tractor. I shut it down and after close inspection it appeared one of the steering hose had ruptured. It was covered by the protective cloth but it was saturated.

Dealer came out and the hoses were wedged behind a bracket that supports a motor mount. Those bad boys were wedged bad and the tech said to his knowledge they shouldn't be routed that way. Since they were wedged behind that bracket, they were subject to the vibration from the motor. So for the first 20 hours of the tractor's life that hose was pinched and I'm willing to bet it cut off fluid flow and thats why I experienced vibration in the steering at times. ( I hope anyway) Dealer towed it away and they shouldn't have it long.

Curious if hoses on other 1870's are routed that way. I didn't get any pics, was to aggravated to think about it.

radioman · Jun 22, 2014

glad to hear the update and that certainly explain things. At least you caught it on time before anything was worse or out of warranty.:thumbsup:

bp fick · Jun 22, 2014

While no one likes to see crushed and leaking steering hoses, at least the mystery is solved. It explains a lot. You'll be up and running again soon. Really weird the hoses were routed in a bad position. They've made a zillion of the BXs. Must been a new guy down in Ga working on that. I know. Not funny.