Problems with NEW BX2200

[RRiche]

OK--I finally got my BX2200 with FEL, 60" MMM, Box Blade. Dealer delivered it to the house. I get home and decided to try it out and mow about 3 acres of grass,

1st Problem -- You cant use any rear implaments with the MMM attached. Easy fix -- remove the box blade.

2nd Problem -- FEL makes the front end too heavy and the thing bounces everywhere. The solution that helped was to raise it up as a temp fix. I guess I will have to remove it every time I mow.

Third problem. -- I was getting a little uneven cut when I turned the corner. I pulled the mower over to the driveway and the antiscalp wheel on the front right side (discharge side). The antiscalp wheel was almost torn off the shaft. It was hanging abot 2" from the post. It looks like it is ruined.


It appears that the deck was not level it was about 3/8" out of level. Should I ask the dealer to replace it, or should I should I cover the cost. I put about 2 hours on it.


Also another concern, does the blade belt flop around alot on the back side? Mine does, Should I tighten it?

Ricky

 

[TresCrows]

Yes, you can use rear implemets with the MMM attached but you must raise the MMM to top and then rotate the knob to the lock position.
Yep, with the FEL on, the BX and my 2410 and many tractors will be slightly front heavy thus all the discussions about weight in wheels, weight boxes, implemants as weights and loaded tires.
The MMM wheels may should be adjusted and you may have to level the deck but in any case the antiscalp rollers should be at least 0.5 inches above the top of the "mowed" grass.
Yep, it is best not to mow your lawn with the FEL attached, you can but it will reduce manuverability, damage the lawn from the extra weight and the tractor will bounce more unless you load the rear wheels--this has been discussed over and over.
Yep, yep, you got it so now you gotta learn to use it. Hey, the 2410 is the same way, bouncing, needing weight, not using loader while mowing etc--welcome to the world of the Compact Utility Tractor. J

 

[gobbler]

Do you mean that you can't mow with a rear implement attached because it travels with the MMM? If so, you're right, but you can pin the rear lift arms. It's explained in your manual.

 

[RRiche]

Thanks for all the comments........I guess I should have read a little further back than I did. Anyway.....Should I ask the dealer to replace the anti-scalp wheel?

What do you use to pin the hydraulic arm on the hitch? I see the section in the book where it says to use the holder plate to hold the lower link higher while mowing......But how can you do this if you have an implement attached?

Are there any other tips someone can summerize for me? What is the proper way to break in this tractor? The manual says not to put in it in full load for the first 50 hours, but this is impossible if you want to mow? Also the dealer suggested I grease the spindle bearings every 8 hours.....from what I read I guess he is right.

Ricky

 

[TresCrows]

Actually you should grease them perhaps more often than that--I grease every use, drive shaft too but I am not afraid to remove/install my equipment.
The belt vibrates like you said--normal.
No, mowing with implements and FEL attached is not a good idea in my opinion.
Yes, he should replace the wheel and level the deck and next time you should be sure it is not dragging--this is an owner adjustment--you should learn how to.
No, you do not have to run at full throttle to mow a little grass, I never ran my BX much over 0.75 percent throttle and got excellent results. If you read the Loader Manual you will see that it recommends about 1800-2200 RPM or so. How do you know what RPM you are at throttle position and sound and experience. Yes, you should provide a break-in.
You can pin the deck for using implements without removing the deck but I do not know what the other guys are talking about pinning the 3-point lift arms up on the BX or my 2410 either. You might could rig a chain to the cross member behind the seat--it is structural on the BX unlike the 2410.
I suggest you learn to remove your MMM, FEL and implements, the reason they are quick attach is exactly for that.
J

 

[milkman]

you are right about the FEL and bounce when mowing with it on, I never mow with the FEL on, there's no reason to leave it on, take it off and put it on a few times, follow instruction manual closely, i timed the removal of the FEL after i got familiar with the process and it only takes one minute and twenty seconds. maybe twice that long to reinstall.

 

[gobbler]

I agree that it would be difficult to pin the lift rods on the holder plates with a implement attached, but if you really didn't want to remove the implement for some reason I guess you could use a floor jack to lift the implement up then pin it.

Do yourself a favor and go back to the dealer or a farm supply store and pick up some extra pins and clips. You're sure to lose a few and if you do it now you won't ruin your day. Especially on the weekends.

Jim

 

[Huskerfan]

The mid PTO for MMM runs full speed at 3125 RPM, less than full throttle, so back it off slightly when you mow during this break in period. With the Tiny Tach installed, full throttle on the BX2200 registers at 3320 RPM. Relax, read your manual, get a new antiscalp wheel and take off the implements when you mow. That will be better for your turf (less compaction) and safer for your trees and house as accidental impacts with you're FEL or rear implement are likely if your concentrating on mowing. You will enjoy this machine!

 

[RRiche]

Thanks again for all the relpys,

I removed the FEL sucessfully today, got the dealer to replace the wheel, ( picked up an extra one just in case), mowed the rest of the yard, and read the manual. (I am a tech dweeb that never reads manuals, but I made an expection on this case since a missed maintaince point could costs $$$)


But, I still have another question........The tractor still bounces around much more than I anticipated while mowing (with only the MMM attached). It bounces much more than my little craftsaman and my old tractor.

Do I need more balast to weight the tractor down??? I have the bar tires...Do the turf tires ride better??? At what setting do you guys mow at. I mowed at 2.0 (blade height actually measured less than 2" and I set the antiscalp wheels at the second hole from the bottom).


Thanks

Ricky

 

[TresCrows]

Again, welcome to the world of compact tractors, ask Nuru down in the JD area when he got his new JD4100--yep, they bounce more than your old Craftsman. What gets me is that folks expect them not too--why?
To reduce bounce you might reduce tire pressure slightly, loading the tires might help but that has drawbacks. Do not think getting a bigger tractor will decrease bounce--it probably will not since my larger 2410 rides rougher than my BX. Part of it is that you are likely travelling faster, the tires are stiffer, the entire tractor is heavier and more solid so it transfers the shock to you. The BX is not a riding mower like your Craftsman but instead a small compact utility tractor--I fear you will have to get used to it and I also suggest--you read the manuals--tech geek or not. J