Bro-Tek Skidplates for BX23S and maintenance...

[Mustard Tiger]

I'm hoping to take delivery of the tractor sometime next week. Part of my property is a bit rocky, lots of brush, sticks, etc.

I ordered a full set (all three) skid plates from Bro-tek. Don't want to take any chances having anything damage the tractor from underneath. Although more expensive, I went with the Bro-Tek skid places over the Expanded because Bro-tek offers full coverage.

My question is will I have to remove these plates for scheduled maintenance, oil and fluid changes, to access grease points, etc? I know that the Expanded plate comes off much easier than the Bro-Tek. I don't have a MMM.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

quik look at Brotek......according to the website,
you'll have to remove the mid plate for service(HST filter, 1st fuel filter) AMD remove front if you use a MMM.
Don't know if you can mount rear and front first, THEN the mid plate. that might work for you as you dont have MMM.

after 7 years(1500hrs) ,never had any damage as BX23S does come with a 'fan plate' . Probably 500hrs spent clearing 'encroaching brush' into 8 acres of farmland. gained 20' each end.

 

[armylifer]

I own a BX1860 with a MMM and I never had any damage to my HST cooling fan, probably because of the MMM being in place. My neighbor has a BX1850 without the MMM. He broke all the blades off his HST cooling fan several years ago. He only found out about it because I was helping him replace the fuel filters and when I was under the tractor I noticed that all the cooling fan blades were broken off. I mean, not even one blade was left. All that there was left was the little nubbies of a couple fan blades left to even know that there ever was one there. He said he didn't know how they got broken off and when I told him how much work was involved in replacing the fan, he said he would look into it.

Well, he never did replace the cooling fan and his son is still operating the tractor, without the cooling fan, without issues to this day. I don't know if there is any kind of damage that can't be seen but that tractor is still working for the last 9 years without the cooling fan. I think that maybe because our climate here is not too harsh that the tractor seems not to be affected by missing the cooling fan. Of course I am not advocating operating a tractor without the HST cooling fan, or abusing it, but I am testifying that these tractors are a lot tougher than they look, and they even take abuse well.

You are probably making a good decision in buying protective plates for your tractor, and they probably will do very well at that job. However, if you find that something damages your HST cooling fan anyway, you probably will not suffer any lasting damage if you take care of the problem in a timely manner. That is all my story is relaying to you. Have fun and good luck with your toy er, tractor.

 

[Mustard Tiger]

quik look at Brotek......according to the website,
you'll have to remove the mid plate for service(HST filter, 1st fuel filter) AMD remove front if you use a MMM.
Don't know if you can mount rear and front first, THEN the mid plate. that might work for you as you dont have MMM.

after 7 years(1500hrs) ,never had any damage as BX23S does come with a 'fan plate' . Probably 500hrs spent clearing 'encroaching brush' into 8 acres of farmland. gained 20' each end.

I have very rocky terrain on half my property.

 

[Spam Bot]

Kubota could fix the broken blade problem if they would switch from an inexpensive thin plastic fan to a nylon plastic fan blade that would flex without breaking and retain its original design after being hit by a stick.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

My 2018 BX23S came with a steel 'fan guard', about $25, 4 nuts and bolts holds it on.

 

[BX25D Rookie]

I have the Bro-Tek rear and mid skid plates on my 2011 BX 25. (earlier version of BX 23S)
Without a mid mount mower on my BX 25 (or your BX 23S) there just isn't much in the way of maintenance
under the skid plates. Yes, they need to be removed for hydrostat fluid/filter changes and rear fuel filter.
I have been very satisfied with the Bro-Tek skid plates.
I Bush Hog food plots in the woods with my BX 25 and have never had any underneath damage.
I am using a Mahindra 4' rotary cutter on the 3 point hitch. (Kodiak MFG and rebranded for Mahindra)
Buying Bro-Tek skid plates for your BX 23S is a WISE investment.

I do not have any skid plates on my 2013 BX 2370, as it has the 60" mid mount mower deck.
It never goes off the groomed lawns.