Questions on BX2660

[amg280]

Hello all. Ive been lurking here for a while, trying to soak up some Kubota information. I am getting a BX2660 with FEL and 60"MMM this weekend (i hope). I had a few questions that I wanted to ask the experts here.

For one, I need to get a 3 point hitch adapter (3 point hitch --> 2" reciever) to move my trailers around. I know that Northern Tool has one for about $190. Is this decent?

And secondly, I want to have forks to casually move some pallets around (nothing heavy duty). The BXpanded clamp on forks look good for $300, but would prefer to have something dedicated, like this :

Pallet Forks

I know that is alot more expensive (around $750 I think), but it would be my preferred solution. Is it a PITA to swap bucket to this, and vice versa?

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks again!

Andy

 

[z0lt3c]

I use a 3pt carry-all from TSC for both these purposes.

w/r/t receiver hitch, I bolted down a piece of tubular steel between the arms using the predrilled holes and then mounted a 2" receiver on the steel stock.

w/r/t cheap fork operation, the carry-all (in my experience) works great as a set of forks, it's just more difficult to slide into a standard pallet because the fork arm is shaped like a T. What I've done is pickup a handful of pallet and modify them to so that the carry-all arms fit in easily.

Total cost of all parts was around $180

CountyLine Carry All - 2128210 | Tractor Supply Company

If you are looking to use these on your FEL (you mention a bucket) I would highly suggest a Skid steer Q/A kit. You can then mount skid plates on your FEL accessories and can change and swap in no time. I have a skid plate mounted on the carry-all so I actually use this on the FEL.

Swapping 3pt accessories is one of my least favorite chores. I'd rather do the dishes.

 

[dodge man]

Congrats on the new purchase! Unless you are moving something really heavy, that trailer hitch will work fine, and if you are moving something really heavy, don't use a BX. I use my BX to move a trailer that weighs maybe 1800lbs. I bought one that doesn't have a reciever, just three holes for a ball. I can't remember how much it was but less than $100 as I recall.

As far as pallet forks go, I have a set from Bx-expanded, and they work well. They aren't really clamp ons as they hang off the top lip of the bucket. I think the forks you have a picture of are for a quick release setup, sometimes called a skid steer setup. They are by far the best as it gives you a better view of what you are lifting and gives you a little more load capacity since the load is further back. You would have to setup your BX for a quick release if you wanted to go that route. Hopefully someone else will chime in as I am not sure what it takes to put a quick release setup on a BX.

 

[amg280]

Thanks for the advice! Those forks I posted dont require a quick release, from my understanding. They have the same attachment points as the factory bucket. The only downside I see to that is tapping out the pins to attach it, not quite a true quick release setup, however, it will do the job properly.

 

[bp fick]

I have some reservations about that being a great deal.

There are any number of guys on Ebay who fabricate these and other types of hitches, for better prices, lower markup, imo. Check out those first.

The NT versions will still be there.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

This bar came from TSC and with the holes predrilled along the bar you can add a ball. I think the price was under $30. I also added this twisted hook to pull an old horse pulled set of disks. I know this isn't your preference for forks but just a free picture and they are easy on and off. Taking your bucket on and off to add the forks you showed will be a pain, in my opinion.

 

[James Loehr]

I just got the EZMOVER from the store on this site. It bolts to a 20inch horizontal bar. I have not used it yet but it looks more than strong enough for a BX. They even give members here a discount,very nice.

 

[KeithInSpace]

I've used a Lienbach Line 2" reciever adapter for some time now. It looks very similar to your Northern Tool example, but I don't recall it being over $100. Somebody's making a mint offering them for nearly $200...that can't be $30 in material.

I've seen drawbars similar to Mr. John Thomas, but I'd feel infinitely more comfortable using one like the one you have pictured (like mine). My 20' trailer is 2,000# unloaded and my travel trailer is ~4,500# wet. I tow both around my yard without any trouble.

I take a few families on hay-rides for halloween in my neighborhood on my trailer. The really nice thing is that I can put my weight distributing hitch assembly on the tractor hitch and have that extra confidence that my tractor won't pop a wheelie when starting out on a hill while towing.

I wouldn't trust all that to a simple steel bar. Try calling your tractor dealership...that's where I got mine. Well, not at YOUR tractor dealership, but mine. I got mine at mine. Call yours. Maybe they have one like mine. The hitch, I mean.

Yes.

 

[TripleR]

I guess it depends on what kind of trailer hitch you want, BX Expanded makes a hitch mount. My dad put a hitch ball on his BB and I have thought about mounting one on my FEL.

Can't help you on the forks as I haven't decided on the "right" ones yet.

You are going to love your BX2660. Yesterday I hauled chat and bush hogged in places I ca,t get to on my big tractors and today if it doesn't rain I will mow my yard.

 

[ChuckinNH]

I haven't seen any pin on forks for the BX bucket attachment points, but you may be able to find some that fit. Many forks are really too heavy for that loader, and the ones you show do look that way to me.

 

[fish6942]

I couldn't imagine putting a ball on a drawbar without a method of keeping the drawbar from rotating. I have the drawbar but need to rig something up to attach the top link to it just for this anti-rotation function.

 

[Evil the Weasel]

I have a Funkworkz drawbar stabilizer and am quite pleased with it.
"Functional Accessories For Work & Play"

 

[amg280]

Thanks for all the advice guys. Some really good suggestions and web sites.

I really like the cost and simplicity of the BXPanded line of forks. They only weigh 22 pounds each, and are strong enough for the BX's capability. The downside is that you wont be able to see as good as you would with dedicated fork's, but like many of you have said, that fork unit is heavy, so it would be parasitic to the whole goal.

I was talking with a well seasoned gentleman about the hitch, he said he would recommend a hitch that bolts to the frame (under the 3 point). Why? Because he said the 3 point hitch has no downward force, meaning the trailer toungue could lift your 3 point hitch to the point where it could send the tractor on its side or worse. Any thoughts on this? I really like the appeal of the 3 point hitch setup simply because I can back up to a trailer, and adjust it right into place. No more struggling to pick up the tounges by hand.

Thanks again.

Andy

 

[radioman]

Thanks for all the advice guys. Some really good suggestions and web sites.

I really like the cost and simplicity of the BXPanded line of forks. They only weigh 22 pounds each, and are strong enough for the BX's capability. The downside is that you wont be able to see as good as you would with dedicated fork's, but like many of you have said, that fork unit is heavy, so it would be parasitic to the whole goal.

I was talking with a well seasoned gentleman about the hitch, he said he would recommend a hitch that bolts to the frame (under the 3 point). Why? Because he said the 3 point hitch has no downward force, meaning the trailer tongue could lift your 3 point hitch to the point where it could send the tractor on its side or worse. Any thoughts on this? I really like the appeal of the 3 point hitch setup simply because I can back up to a trailer, and adjust it right into place. No more struggling to pick up the tongue's by hand.

Thanks again.

Andy

andy- thats correct- there is no downward force, however, I find that using the draw bar with a i beam to stabilize the bar from swinging and keep it parallel with ground works. The only time my trailer ever went up in the air is because I put garbage in the back of trailer and was backing up with it. The upward stopped as soon it went all the way up, lucky it wasn't heavy and I wasn't in a precarious situation. Other then that, I never had a problem with a loaded trailer full of firewood, empty trailer etc. I use the BX to my my 16ft dual Axel trailer with no problems and my 22' camper. Both trailers had enough tongue weight and thats important. I love the 3pt for moving my trailers. The only time I get out is to get the wood the jack was resting on or put it under with.

 

[KeithInSpace]

...he said the 3 point hitch has no downward force, meaning the trailer toungue could lift your 3 point hitch to the point where it could send the tractor on its side or worse.

This is a true statement. HOWEVER, it doesn't take a lot of effort to properly distribute weight to the tongue. If you have this type of a problem when the trialer is on the tractor, imagine what would happen if you're pulling it down the road...

The most suseptable to this, I would think, would be a single axle trailer. I loaded/used the heck out of my old 5' x 10' single axle and never had a problem. Of course, I was always careful to load the front of the trailer first.

I've had ZERO concern of this happening with my 20' dual axle or my travel trailer. I'd have to be quite careless to even begin to counteract the load on the tongue, even when empty.

And yes, it is extremely convenient to lift and drop the trailer simply by moving the 3PH lever. Works very well for me. Moreover, the hitch point on the frame of my BX is too low for either of my two trailers to even use.

And I'd be fine with Mr. Radioman's solution...anything to keep that drawbar from rotating around. When pulling my travel trailer around the yard (from the end of my driveway to its "parking space" is about 80 feet), I MUST feel confident that everything is firmly attached and not flippy-floppy.

 

[aczlan]

I couldn't imagine putting a ball on a drawbar without a method of keeping the drawbar from rotating. I have the drawbar but need to rig something up to attach the top link to it just for this anti-rotation function.

Try one of these: Straight Clevis, 3/4 in. dia. - 0268048 We have one on our drawbar that we use for the B7510 and L3830, it goes over the three point arm and into the last hole on the bar. It seems to lock the bar in sync with the lower arms pretty well and we have it on the tractor anyways for hooking onto things. It saves a lot of wear and tear on the trailer coupler.

Aaron Z

 

[rdsaustintx]

Don't use a plain drawbar with a ball hitch. It will pry the trailer receiver apart. They make little locks that use the 3ph hitch arms or you can buy one with the vertical link to the top point. I have the latter and paid < $50 for it. I think I got it off e-bay.

If you can't load a trailer with tongue weight, then don't use a trailer. That's bad for a half dozen reasons.

Congrats on the BX. Great machines.

Russell in BubbaLand

 

[amg280]

Don't use a plain drawbar with a ball hitch. It will pry the trailer receiver apart. They make little locks that use the 3ph hitch arms or you can buy one with the vertical link to the top point. I have the latter and paid < $50 for it. I think I got it off e-bay.

If you can't load a trailer with tongue weight, then don't use a trailer. That's bad for a half dozen reasons.

Congrats on the BX. Great machines.

Russell in BubbaLand

Ok this is a dumb question, but will the one I originally posted in the first post work? Or would I need an additional bracket or some sort to "stabilize" it? Im not sure I understand when you say the bar can "roll". Forgive my ignorance, 3 point hitches are new to me. I want to get the right setup 1st, and once. Links to all inclusive products would help me alot. $190 for that adapter is pricey, but if thats all i need, then maybe its worth the less-hassle.

Again, thanks for all the advice guys.

Andy

 

[jnjpream]

Why not just drill a 5/8 hole in the lip of the bucket and put a ball in it?

We did this to our bobcat specifically for moving trailors around. Granted you have better visability of the bucket in a bobcat, but the hole won't hurt anything.

 

[Stargazer]

Andy: the style in first post will work fine just 2 much money far cheaper can be found. A drawbar that only goes into the side to side arms can roll around. Some of the previous posters use a vertical arm (or even 2 to make an A frame) that hooks into the upper arm that will prevent rotation. Never thought about the clevis idea about hooking around 1 lower arm and dropping pin thru outmost hole in draw bar.

Pat