Assessing hydraulic transmission on used BX25D

[AndyRB]

Hi All

I'm considering buying a used BX25D and I need some advice on how to assess the state of the transmission.

I understand that you should be able to stall the engine if you do the following:

1. Put the transmission in High.
2. Press the brake hard.
3. Press the forward pedal to provide power.

When I do this the engine clearly struggles but doesn't quite stall. I'm wondering if there is a relief valve in the transmission that is opening and thus preventing the engine from stalling. Can anyone advise?

Also, when I drive the tractor and lift my foot off the forward (or reverse) pedal, I was expecting the tractor to slow down and stop. However, it continues to roll. Is this normal? My only other experience of hydraulic transmissions is on my much simpler Toro mower, which comes to a complete halt immediately when you lift off the pedals - no braking is needed.

The transmission fluid is very low (about an inch below the dipstick). It seems to have a leak on the PTO cover which should be a relatively easy fix. I didn't notice any issues with lack of fluid when moving the loader or backhoe.

Any advice from experienced BX25 owners would be much appreciated.

Kind regards
Andy

 

[85Hokie]

Andy - Welcome to the forum

" when I drive the tractor and lift my foot off the forward (or reverse) pedal, I was expecting the tractor to slow down and stop. However, it continues to roll. Is this normal "

Are you in High gear or Low? flat ground or hill?

Place a good a good amount of weight in the FEL and go up a slight incline in LOW range - it should walk up that will little fuss. NOW - high range it should give you some trouble, all that weight hampers the movement in high range and with only two speeds - LOW is the best for any incline.

How many hours on this machine? Do you have any records of maintenance?

 

[AndyRB]

Hi 85Hokie

Thanks for the reply.

When I took my foot off the pedal and the tractor rolled, it was on a slight slope. Is this normal? My mower with hydraulic transmission doesn't roll on a slope, but it's a much simpler machine.

Thanks for the advice on the crawl test with a full loader. Unfortunately I'm not able to do that test on the tractors easily as the seller is many hours drive away. I'm in Europe where the BX25 is very rare so I'm prepared to buy one that needs some work, provided that's reflected in the price of course. I've checked with my local Kubota dealer that he can service it. I just want to avoid any serious issues - hence my questions on the transmission.

Do you have any experience of the stall test that I described in my initial post?

Thanks
Andy

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Yea if your releasing the pedal or manually returning it returning it to the center, it should stop rather quickly.
If it's not stopping or holding there is an issue!

 

[AndyRB]

Thanks for confirming that Wolfman. I'm wondering if that could be caused by the low transmission fluid level rather than a mechanical issue. I guess the only reliable way to check that would be to top it up and see if it solves the issue.

 

[Dustyx2]

A stickey treadle pedal might be the cause of the coasting. I don't believe I could stall my BX22 doing that test even new, though I've never tried it.

 

[RalphVa]

Don't think that stall test works. In "H" on any of the 4 tractors I've had, the HST bleeds off internally if stressed much at all. H is for travelling on level ground pretty much.

The treadle pedal just may not be adjusted to be in neutral when released. Also, in H none of my 4 tractors would stop on a slope.

I'd worry about the leak in the PTO cover. Not sure where that is. Obviously has a leak somewhere.