BX23S Wheel Spacers Recommendation

DustyRusty

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2020 BX23S, BX2822 Snowblower, Curtis Deluxe Cab,
Nov 8, 2015
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On the BX tractors, there is only one wheel that fits both sides. You can't reverse the wheel onto the axle because there is a depression (chamfer) for the wheel nuts, just like on a car.
 
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Trimley

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BX23SLSB-R-1 plus additions
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On the BX tractors, there is only one wheel that fits both sides. You can't reverse the wheel onto the axle because there is a depression (chamfer) for the wheel nuts, just like on a car.
I'm sure that I'm not the first to think of it.

I took a wheel off to inspect. No chamfer confirmed. I'll look into wheel spacers.
 

leveraddict

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2017 BX23S 60" LP BoxBlade 54" mower 60" BackBlade EA 12" 1 bottom plow & Forks
Apr 1, 2019
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With the 54" - 1.5" is max - otherwise the rear tires will rub! 2" will work fine on a 60" mmm.
Yep and if the rear tire goes flat well you better watch you dont rip the side wall off! Also cant turn the gage wheels so I can roll the deck out from underneath. I would love to have at least 2" spacers and 3" wouild be better!
 

DustyRusty

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2020 BX23S, BX2822 Snowblower, Curtis Deluxe Cab,
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Yep and if the rear tire goes flat well you better watch you dont rip the side wall off! Also cant turn the gage wheels so I can roll the deck out from underneath. I would love to have at least 2" spacers and 3" wouild be better!

 
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Maytag

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BX1880, LA344S
Jan 21, 2021
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Brunswick NY
I just installed the RCK54-23BX on my BX1880 that has 2” wheel spacers. I think part of the clearance is due to having turf tires which aren’t as tall at the outside edges.
IMG_0715.jpeg
 
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leveraddict

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2017 BX23S 60" LP BoxBlade 54" mower 60" BackBlade EA 12" 1 bottom plow & Forks
Apr 1, 2019
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First vid, Ive seen it before, is only 1 1/2" spacers, I would love 3". Second vid no MMM! The OP has turf tires which gives more clearance. Again on my machine BX23S 54" deck R4 tires with the deck raised I can not turn the left rear gage wheel so my crippled self can easily roll the MMM out from under the tractor. It will turn if I drop the MMM almost to the ground. Spacers will only make that worse. Like I said if the left rear goes flat while mowing either the tire side wall (VERY THIN) gets torn up or that gage wheel. Maybe both? If I cant go big I will do without.
 

Trimley

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BX23SLSB-R-1 plus additions
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The 1-1/4" work nicely with the 54" deck/R14s. I noticed a considerable difference when in the seat.
 

JimDeL

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BX2380; R4 tires; 54" MMM; FEL w Pirahna bar; Ballast Box; BXpanded skid plate.
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The 1-1/4" work nicely with the 54" deck/R14s. I noticed a considerable difference when in the seat.
That's what I have on mine, but I've not noticed any difference at all.
 
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DustyRusty

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2020 BX23S, BX2822 Snowblower, Curtis Deluxe Cab,
Nov 8, 2015
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I bought a set of 1 1/2" spacers for my BX23S, however, I have yet to notice any difference. I believe that it might have something to do with the fact that I haven't installed them yet. What do you think?
 
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leveraddict

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2017 BX23S 60" LP BoxBlade 54" mower 60" BackBlade EA 12" 1 bottom plow & Forks
Apr 1, 2019
907
589
93
NEPA
That's what I have on mine, but I've not noticed any difference at all.
Thanks for your honesty!
Not many will admit that something they bought didnt really make a difference. Thats why if I cant have 3" I will do without! I only have one steep spot where spacers would be nice but I continue to cut it vertically!
 
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Henro

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B2910, BX2200, KX41-2V mini Ex., Beer fridge
May 24, 2019
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Thanks for your honesty!
Not many will admit that something they bought didnt really make a difference. Thats why if I cant have 3" I will do without! I only have one steep spot where spacers would be nice but I continue to cut it vertically!
I am wondering how one would notice if there was a difference or not?

I too decided that if I were to get spacers for my B2910 I would probably buy 4" spacers just to be sure I got a significant change in side slope stability. One time years ago I tipped the B2910 on its side, in a situation where I would never have guessed it to be possible...

Might have posted a thread...somewhere...probably TBN?
 

85Hokie

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I have placed spacers on two BX tractors - the first time was on my brand new one and the difference was very noticeable, that was with 2". The second was only 1.5 per side and it too was noticed easily.
 

Henro

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I have placed spacers on two BX tractors - the first time was on my brand new one and the difference was very noticeable, that was with 2". The second was only 1.5 per side and it too was noticed easily.
Sorry for the question, but I am really curious.

What criteria did you use to determine the difference was noticed easily?

Just sayin'... whenever I make a repair to anything is seems to me that things improve greatly...even changing oil in the vehicles...they seem to run better.

Some LOL here but also some truth...Again, just curious, because I am not sure how I would evaluate the change...even though with 4 foam filled tires on my BX and wheel spacers on the rear, I truly believe it is MUCH more stable. BUT I have no way to quantify it.

Edit: I did see a you-tube video where a guy added spacers, and did a before and after test on the same slope, where he tried to life the tractor on it's side by pushing on the ROPS. Before it seemed he could lift a rear wheel easily, afterwards he could not...They were not thick spacers, I think 2" or less...if I remember correctly.
 

85Hokie

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What criteria did you use to determine the difference was noticed easily?

Circa summer 2013, I bought my first Kubota - guy dropped it off, explained a little and then left.

My yard does NOT have a flat spot in it A N Y W H E R E - I mean zero flatness! To check any car/truck oil level I have to pull it onto the street and check there.

When the man dropping it off - I was new to the BX and it was new to me - but the pucker factor was present the first 5 minutes of driving across the yard, something I have done 100's of times on a riding mower, never feeling uneasy on the mower.

Did my research and got (paid dearly too) some 2" spacers - and installed them. The same little hillside DID feel different!

I bought a BX2350 and placed 1.5" spacers on it - and felt a difference too.

IS IT a difference felt like bumping up the hydraulic pressure from 1700 to 2000 psi? Maybe not that clear, but there is a difference in the pucker factor.

AS you mentioned - the push over effect is felt and in that youtube video seen.

Even on both of my B7100's - I have the rear end pushed out as far as possible due to the slopes of the yards being cut.
 

Trimley

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BX23SLSB-R-1 plus additions
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Sorry for the question, but I am really curious.

What criteria did you use to determine the difference was noticed easily?

Just sayin'... whenever I make a repair to anything is seems to me that things improve greatly...even changing oil in the vehicles...they seem to run better.

Some LOL here but also some truth...Again, just curious, because I am not sure how I would evaluate the change...even though with 4 foam filled tires on my BX and wheel spacers on the rear, I truly believe it is MUCH more stable. BUT I have no way to quantify it.

Edit: I did see a you-tube video where a guy added spacers, and did a before and after test on the same slope, where he tried to life the tractor on it's side by pushing on the ROPS. Before it seemed he could lift a rear wheel easily, afterwards he could not...They were not thick spacers, I think 2" or less...if I remember correctly.
I added 1.25" spacers on mine. Prior to doing so I placed a chunk of 4x6 under one wheel then pushed on the ROP bar. Once the spacers were added, I did the same. Based on that I noticed more force was needed for the same result.

If I didn't mow with mine, I'd have went wider.

Prior to buying the spacers I swapped wheels L>R-R<L for the same type of results, this is why I bought the spacers.
 
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WI_Hedgehog

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BX2370 (impliment details in Profile-About)
Apr 24, 2024
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Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.A.
What's the largest offset that can be safely run on a BX?

I stacked (2) 2" for a 4" offset (each side), can I go to 6"?
(I haven't found a need, yet.)

No mower deck, 600# chipper on the back 3 point hitch (so there's a stress/wear concern).
 
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85Hokie

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I would say you are overcooling your grits with anything past 2"

Also remember - A is bolted to B and B is bolted to C and so on - too many bolts and you will find a problem you really did not want to find.;)
 
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GreensvilleJay

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BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
Apr 2, 2019
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Greensville,Ontario,Canada
My BX23S has a 700# BH on the back, and the tractor isn't 'stressed out' carrying it.
Providing the chipper is properly secured to the 3PH ( ie..doesn't sway..) ,no real reason to put any spacers on, unless you're driving diagonally on steep hills ?
 

WI_Hedgehog

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BX2370 (impliment details in Profile-About)
Apr 24, 2024
308
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Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.A.
My BX23S has a 700# BH on the back, and the tractor isn't 'stressed out' carrying it.
Providing the chipper is properly secured to the 3PH ( ie..doesn't sway..) ,no real reason to put any spacers on, unless you're driving diagonally on steep hills ?
Yup, hills in the woods where I have to avoid rocks, trees, fallen trees, etc., and there are holes and depressions in the ground.

I'm thinking 6" is "too much," 4" is pretty much "the reasonable limit," and 2" is likely suggested and might be fine but I really don't want to accidentally roll the tractor. Hence asking here because I don't know. That double-wheel setup of the Steiner is looking pretty good....but Kubota doesn't have that.