Newbie to the TBN!

[MAJOR D]

Hello all!
I just picked up my 2008 BX24 with FEL, MMM 60" and a BH. The tractor only had 180 hours on it and I really love it all so far but I have many questions. I have put about 20 hours on it already and I am really happy with the performance and the fuel economy is amazing. This is my first tractor and the only thing about it that bothers me is the foot pedal that determines forward and reverse. Forward seems to be Ok... however.. the reverse pedal (when I let up on it) jerks and stops me so abruptly that it can occasionally spill the load out of the FEL. I was wondering if there was any type of update kit available as a friend has a BX 25 and he told me that they fixed this bug on the newer tractors and they are smooth and don't jerk your head off.

Question#1: Can I get my BX 24 updated with this new hydraulic valve to smooth things out?

Question#2: What is the idle speed supposed to be? When I first got the tractor the gentleman who sold it to me had the whole dashboard replaced because the tachometer was working intermittently. When I start it up the tachometer vacillates back and forth between 1200 and 1390. Is this normal? Seems kind of high to me but then I wouldn't know.

Question #3: None of my hydraulics will work until I increase the throttle speed over 1500 rpm. Is that something for me to worry about?

Question # 4: I see on You-tube where there are videos you can watch to learn how to disconnect and connect the back hoe and front end loader but there are none about the mid mount mowers. Anybody with a good sequence to this procedure or a link to a site that has a good video on it?? Owners manual is not very enlightening on that subject although I love to read it.

Last Question: Tractor will be garaged in the winter but I was wondering if I would need to purchase a block heater? I am living in Western PA and it can get pretty cold. I plan on moving large amount of snow this winter!

Thanks in advance for any replies!
Maj D

 

[keyman1808]

First off welcom aboard. Congrats on your new toy, sorry tool. Great choice have one myself.

So lets answer your questions.
1. I do not know of anyone that has been able to fix the abrupt stop on the 50 series BX line. So I would say the answer is a big no. But things change and progress everyday so it could one day happen. I believe the problem is in the HST itself but I am not sure.

2. That idle speed is fine and it probably shakes like a son of a *****. All thats normal. I actually bump mine up a little higher to smooth it out more and avoid shaking something till it breaks.

3. All normal

4. I have not seen any videos myself but if you do a search on here I believe this topic of installing and removing the MMM has been covered alot.

5. Mine is kept the same way without a block heater and no issues at all.

Hope this helps.

 

[GolfAddict]

Welcome Major D,

I also have a BX24 and mostly would echo Keyman's comments. However, to expand on #2 a bit, if you look on the top of your valve cover you will see a label with various engine specs. One is idle speed, and on mine it says it should be set at 1300-1400. When it is set lower, folks seem to have a "shaking" problem at idle. Mine is set to the upper end of that and I don't experience what others describe as a "nasty shaking until they bump the rpms up". It sounds to me like the idle rpm may have been set to low for some.

My idle rpm does vacillate also, but within about a 100 only...

 

[Deano]

Concur with the above and add that when working with the front loader, use low. Helps make the jerky reverse a little softer.:confused2:

 

[Bob77064]

MAJOR, welcome congrats on your tractor.

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

Welcome to TBN and enjoy your new tool.

If you search "block heater" you will find many hours of discussions regarding to have or not have a block heater. I went with one just for peace of mind when starting in cold weather to reduce engine wear.

Ask any question you want you will have many folks willing to help you.

WARNING............... you can spend MANY hours reading TBN and get way too many good ideas.:laughing:

 

[dougtrr2]

I have a BX24 also. Just in case check the fluid level in the front axle. Many were sent out not completely full. Several threads on that issue. If the dash was replaced how do you know the actual hours? Mine was replaced at 32 hours but the count started at 0 again. Great tractor. Just keep practicing with the mower. Check to see if your tractor received the cracking fender bracing. If so be careful changing the mower deck. If you leave the lock pins in the release detent they catch on the modification and can get bent.

Take Care,
Doug in SW IA

 

[freddyr]

welcome:thumbsup: