I am planning on buying to BX2380. My original plan was to keep my Husqvarna MZT 52 ZRT for mowing. I am now seriously contemplating selling the ZTR (only 60 hrs on it). My question is removing the FEL and mower deck often practical? For my needs mowing with the loader on would not work well, and working my back lot with mower on would not give me the clearance I need. Anyone do this often?
Removing FEL and Mower on BX
- Thread starter Kevin1
- Start date
jmf78
Member
Equipment
BX23S W/ Factory Deluxe Cab, 60" MMM, 60" BX-2612 Snow Blade & BX-2816 Blower
In the summer i do it all the time. It takes about one minute or less for the loader and maybe 5 minutes tops with the drive over MMM.
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I,m 68 years old, and I have the BX 2370, with the front bucket and the 60 inch mower.
After a few tries, and you get use to removing and installing the front bucket, it,s probably a 10 minute job. Just ensure when you remove your bucket, you do it on a level, stable surface, so when you are ready to re-attach it, t goes together evenly on both sides.
My mower disconnects in about 10 minutes as well, but it is heavy to drag out from underneath the tractor, after disconnecting the drive shaft.
I cann,t remember if they have the drive over option for that on the BX2380, or not. If so, that would make the mower very easy to add or remove.
After a few tries, and you get use to removing and installing the front bucket, it,s probably a 10 minute job. Just ensure when you remove your bucket, you do it on a level, stable surface, so when you are ready to re-attach it, t goes together evenly on both sides.
My mower disconnects in about 10 minutes as well, but it is heavy to drag out from underneath the tractor, after disconnecting the drive shaft.
I cann,t remember if they have the drive over option for that on the BX2380, or not. If so, that would make the mower very easy to add or remove.
jmf78
Member
Equipment
BX23S W/ Factory Deluxe Cab, 60" MMM, 60" BX-2612 Snow Blade & BX-2816 Blower
Correct. I had the older version of the loader as well and even that didn't take long. Just a bit more on and off of the tractor.
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RCW
Well-known member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
BX2360, FEL, MMM, BX2750D snowblower. 1953 Minneapolis Moline ZAU
Kevin - I have the older BX2360.
I typically leave the loader off all summer, and try to do all FEL work April/May and October/November, after and before the snowblower comes off/on.
Works for me, but the FEL isn't a big deal either way.
I typically leave the loader off all summer, and try to do all FEL work April/May and October/November, after and before the snowblower comes off/on.
Works for me, but the FEL isn't a big deal either way.
BX 23S owner here. Pretty much the same as your planned 2380. The FEL is very easy once you get the hang of it, plenty of videos on youtube showing the process but read the owners manual as it has tips on bucket position that makes it very easy.
I went with the regular "non drive over" deck on my dealers advice. The corner wheels can be pinned at 90 degrees to allow you to roll it out from under the tractor, the method and ease of hookup is similar, the drive over ramps rattle and the ramps limit your maximum height setting. The regular deck is cheaper according to my dealer.
Now I have no experience with the other deck so I am happy to hear if someone has other considerations.
I am 63 and average fitness with no issues removing & attaching anything but my post hole digger to the 3 point. Now that thing is a real bear!
I went with the regular "non drive over" deck on my dealers advice. The corner wheels can be pinned at 90 degrees to allow you to roll it out from under the tractor, the method and ease of hookup is similar, the drive over ramps rattle and the ramps limit your maximum height setting. The regular deck is cheaper according to my dealer.
Now I have no experience with the other deck so I am happy to hear if someone has other considerations.
I am 63 and average fitness with no issues removing & attaching anything but my post hole digger to the 3 point. Now that thing is a real bear!
I have the drive over deck and no concrete floor to slide the deck around so for me the drive over works well, no ramp rattles or clearance problems
Glad to hear the drive over does no create cutting height limits.
Turing the deck corner wheels sideways does work best on a hard surface.
Maybe my dealer was out of stock at the time of my purchase!
Turing the deck corner wheels sideways does work best on a hard surface.
Maybe my dealer was out of stock at the time of my purchase!
The more I research this the more questions I have. When it comes to the bucket the L344 has a little more performance then the 344S. I do not see myself using anything but a bucket for the FEL so the pinned version seems right for me. Is there much of a price difference between the two? All quotes I have received are with the 344S.
jmf78
Member
Equipment
BX23S W/ Factory Deluxe Cab, 60" MMM, 60" BX-2612 Snow Blade & BX-2816 Blower
Just looked at my quotes and it wasn't itemized. Maybe just ask for a quote with the pin on instead of the SSQA?
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Correct, the pin on bucket has a better capacity than the skid steer quick attach version. My dealer did not quote me the difference either.
In practice I have not used the feature at all. It allows you to use a whole range of SSQA attachments, but with the limited bucket lift capacity it is of little value. There are pin on attachments around if you later decide you need something like a grapple.
In practice I have not used the feature at all. It allows you to use a whole range of SSQA attachments, but with the limited bucket lift capacity it is of little value. There are pin on attachments around if you later decide you need something like a grapple.
I have a BX23S with the SSQA. While it does drop the lifting capacity a little bit, I have had no issues lifting anything that fills the bucket. Now I don't lift it all the way up, but in the middle and lower lift areas, I have not had any power issues. The SSQA does come in handy when I want to remove the bucket and attach my EA grapple. I can do the switch in about 2 minutes.. well if I don't have hydraulic pressure issues with the 3rd function and connecting the hoses. I also said I would only ever use the bucket, but honestly, the grapple is the most handy thing I think I could have gotten for the tractor.
The one thing you may want to check is the hydraulic pressure of the tractor. Mine was right on the lower edge of the specs. I actually bumped it up over the specs (lots of youtube and posts about going to 1950 PSI or so). That will more than make up for any loss of lift of the SSQA.
Kevin1,
Here is a new video just posted with lots of measurements & how to info on the loader.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uw_h1ZkXxdo
Though it might help you in your pre buy research.
I did notice one minor nit pick. The Owners Manual (page 115) recommends having the bucket at 20 degrees down when starting the detach so the curl to flat will lift the arms. Slightly different than shown.
Here is a new video just posted with lots of measurements & how to info on the loader.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uw_h1ZkXxdo
Though it might help you in your pre buy research.
I did notice one minor nit pick. The Owners Manual (page 115) recommends having the bucket at 20 degrees down when starting the detach so the curl to flat will lift the arms. Slightly different than shown.
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