I am unable to disengage the blades on my BX 2230. The lever for them just doesnt want to lock in to turn the blades off. And therefore also preventing the machine from starting. Now could this possibly be mechanical or could the problem be from low hydraulic fluid? I ask this because now also when the machine was running the mower deck would only go down half way when i lowered it and i also noticed one of the front hoses for the front hydraulics is leaking badly. Hoping the blade problem is a low fluid issue and not a mechanical issue. Desperately needed help is deeply appreciated!
Blade issue
- Thread starter Daverdawg
- Start date
RCW
Well-known member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
BX2360, FEL, MMM, BX2750D snowblower. 1953 Minneapolis Moline ZAU
Starting simple, first intuition is that the linkage for the PTO lever needs attention.
Follow the PTO linkage on the left side of the tractor, and clean and lubricate the connections to where they meet the transmission housing. Check to see if all appear free. Is anything bent?
Not familiar with 2230 - does it have a mid- rear- and both PTO selector lever, next to the PTO engagement lever? Check to see its in its proper position, and also free in its movement.
You ask if it could be low fluid level - is the fluid low? Have you checked it? When was the last time the fluid and filter was changed?
Follow the PTO linkage on the left side of the tractor, and clean and lubricate the connections to where they meet the transmission housing. Check to see if all appear free. Is anything bent?
Not familiar with 2230 - does it have a mid- rear- and both PTO selector lever, next to the PTO engagement lever? Check to see its in its proper position, and also free in its movement.
You ask if it could be low fluid level - is the fluid low? Have you checked it? When was the last time the fluid and filter was changed?
whitetiger
Moderator
Staff member
Equipment
Kubota tech..BX2370, RCK60, B7100HST, RTV900 w plow, Ford 1100 FWA
There's a dipstick at the back close to the top link frame bracket for the hydraulic oil. The safety switch for the PTO is hard to get at but it's on the pto lever underneath, you'll probably have to remove the left rear wheel to get at it. Try to bypass it to get it running and then try moving the lever to disengage it sometimes they're a little difficult. Maybe you have some twigs or something lodged in there holding the lever back, it's a fairly flimsy lever so try not to force it too hard. Be safe if you get it started the blades will be turning.
Deck not going down.. under your left leg is a knob, it's supposed to turn to set the height that you want the deck to stop at. If it's set at 4 inches, then it won't go down. They are very bad about rusting and being very hard to turn.
Agree with wbk,,, something is keeping the lever from returning to the off position.
Agree with wbk,,, something is keeping the lever from returning to the off position.
Here's the parts diagram for the BX2230 PTO engagement lever. There are a couple of notches in the slot on the fender - one for the "engage" and one for "disengage" position. If the lever physically won't slide far enough to catch the "disengage" notch, either the linkage is bent, fouled with crud or just seized up due to lack of maintenance (kept clean and lubricated). It's also possible something is wrong inside the HST... you can hope it's the linkage, of course.
Regarding the mower deck not lowering all the way. Don't really think low HST fluid would have much to do with this since the lowering action is by gravity; 3 point hydraulics do not actually push down.
The deck adjustment knob already mentioned is the obvious place to start. Beyond that, raising and lowering the deck is done by the 3 point hydraulics, so you should see the lower 3 point arms going up and down as you raise and lower the deck. When the arms are fully lowered, they should drop down to about 4-6" from the ground. If they are doing that, then whatever is keeping the deck from lowering is in the deck linkages, not in the 3 point system itself.
There is also a 3 point lowering speed adjustment, also near the floor between your legs. If it is all the way in, the 3 point mechanism, and the deck, won't lower at all; the more you loosen it, the faster everything lowers to the ground.
A good cleaning and lubing of all the linkages is a good place to start. Once it's clean, you'll be able to see more of what is happening.
Regarding the mower deck not lowering all the way. Don't really think low HST fluid would have much to do with this since the lowering action is by gravity; 3 point hydraulics do not actually push down.
The deck adjustment knob already mentioned is the obvious place to start. Beyond that, raising and lowering the deck is done by the 3 point hydraulics, so you should see the lower 3 point arms going up and down as you raise and lower the deck. When the arms are fully lowered, they should drop down to about 4-6" from the ground. If they are doing that, then whatever is keeping the deck from lowering is in the deck linkages, not in the 3 point system itself.
There is also a 3 point lowering speed adjustment, also near the floor between your legs. If it is all the way in, the 3 point mechanism, and the deck, won't lower at all; the more you loosen it, the faster everything lowers to the ground.
A good cleaning and lubing of all the linkages is a good place to start. Once it's clean, you'll be able to see more of what is happening.
