Problems encountered when running a used BX2660

[threeoranges]

I recently bought a used BX2660 with implements. I understand it had two previous owners, my seller and one other owner.

There is something wrong in the Operator Presence Control sensors which sometimes prevents startup. I think it is in the PTO clutch lever.

Last night it would not start despite being in neutral and the PTO clutch in neutral. Here is a video (mostly just audio) of my trying to start it:

https://1drv.ms/v/s!Ar2wgEZy_jHyodlEJcKbw0vKkQFM7g?e=bzjdRJ

This morning, it started fine, with no changes to any of the levers, which makes me think a temperature change caused the sensor to fail. It was over 100 degrees F last night.

When the key is in the "ON" position before the engine is started, the engine compartment makes a constant buzzing noise (the only sound in the above video until I try turning the key several times). That was all I could hear last night when I tried to start it. Is that noise normal?

That noise still happens today despite the engine starting fine. At first, I thought it was the solenoid to kill the engine constantly firing based on the OPC, but the book says that the OPC kill happens around once per second, and this was much faster.

The front loader hydraulic joystick does not lock very well. Even when it's "locked", I can move the loader with some moderate effort. I'm not trying to move the joystick so hard so as to break it.

When the engine is being started, the fuel gauge fluctuates wildly. I do not know if this is normal, or if it indicates a problem with fuel pressure or something else.

I bought a new Grammer seat which needs to be installed while keeping the safety sensors happy. Is that possible without bypassing the safety sensors? The old seat is torn and taped up, and doesn't have armrests.

Now, for the most serious problem: The tractor struggles to cut 24" simple grass (no twigs) with a RCR1548 brush hog. It makes loud noises, puts out dark smoke, knocks and shakes violently, and sometimes stalls. I am not comfortable using it like this. With a 20 HP PTO, I would not have expected it to struggle like this on simple tall grass.

The tractor has had two previous owners. I do not know how well they kept it up, but I am concerned that it may need a new engine. It definitely needs a major tuneup and fluid check. The oil and coolant levels look okay, and the oil is clean.

I don't plan to use it again until a Kubota dealer looks at it. Any ideas of what could be causing those problems?

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

The ticking sound is normal, it's the electric lift pump.
The fuel gauge jumping is also normal.

When trying too start it, if it does not start move the levers one at a time also rock the HST pedal back and forth, this is one of the most common no start issues.

How tall and how thick of grass?
When was the last time it was mowed?
Are you running the tractor at full throttle?

Black smoke indicates it's being overloaded, try slowing down and see what that does for you.

Your tractor only puts out 19.5HP to the PTO and that cutter is looking for a minimum of 20HP to run it.
So your already pushing it past it's limits.

There really is no need to dump a bunch of money in it for a dealer to look at it.
And it's HIGHLY unlikely that it need an engine, you didn't say how many hours are on it, but I've got engines here with 6K hours and they still run like champs.

 

[threeoranges]

The fuel filters were clogged up, especially the inlet one under the tractor, which I understand is often neglected.

Inlet:

Outlet:

After they were replaced, the tractor and cutter worked just fine:

\

The throttle lock does not hold, so until it's fixed, I'll have to use a bungee cord or string to keep it held at maximum.

 

[skeets]

If you are going to hack your way through really tall thick stuff, if I may offer 2 pieces of advice. 1 lift , tie up your discharge chute so there is a wide open discharge opening, and 2 more the important, sharp blades and of course WOT dont baby it and go slowly in low range!. I dont have my BX book right handy but I will look and see if I can find why your throttle lever will not stay in place

 

[whitetiger]

To adjust the throttle lever friction, remove the screen below the dash and look under the dash at the bottom of the lever. You will see 2 nuts locked together. Lossen the lower nut and tighten the upper nut while checking the lever operation. When you get it tight enough to stay in place, hold the upper nut and tighten the lower nut to lock them together.
Sometimes the lower nut will be missing.

 

[mikester]

Try this. Stuff one dozen extra large marshmallows in your mouth, chew three times then swallow.

You need to learn to operate within limits of your machine. Cutting 24" tall grass is hard work even with larger machines. You will need to take multiple passes. Take smaller bites. Works better if you cut with the mower 12" off the ground on your first pass. Always blow the swarf away from the uncut grass.

 

[threeoranges]

I know about not overloading equipment; I know how to cut taller grass/brush in passes, first at taller heights, and then at lower heights.

The original smoke was not due to overloading the equipment; it was due to an extremely clogged inlet fuel filter which had probably been neglected by the previous owners, due to its location. See the photo for how ugly it looked, such as the two dark dots at the bottom.

That deprived the engine of fuel, causing black smoke and severe knocking at the smallest load when the PTO was engaged.

Once the filters were replaced, it had no problem cutting the grass, which ranged from 6" to 24" but was not very dense or thick (less than 1/4" thick, with no twigs). The grass had last been cut 5 weeks ago, but was interrupted by flooding.

I kept a constant watch on the temperature, which was never close to red. I never got the sense that I was pushing the tractor to its limits. It cut smoothly and just fine.

 

[threeoranges]

"It's the filters, stupid!!!"

Couldn't resist.

I appreciate the comments, but I think that I am using the equipment within its bounds. If I ever sense that I am reaching its limits, I'll back off inmediately, and use mitigation techniques such as mowing in multiple passes. That never happened when I cut the tall but not dense or thick grass, after I replaced the s**t-filled fuel filters.

Also, the 24" height was not measured with a ruler, but was an eyeball estimate. It was very thin grass (less than 1/16" thick, maybe up to 1/4" wide blades), and it had already been cut to under 4" tall just five weeks earlier. So it was not a huge load on the cutter.

 

[Ktrim]

That's a lot if mower for a bx

 

[ken erickson]

"It's the filters, stupid!!!"

Couldn't resist.

I appreciate the comments, but I think that I am using the equipment within its bounds. If I ever sense that I am reaching its limits, I'll back off inmediately, and use mitigation techniques such as mowing in multiple passes. That never happened when I cut the tall but not dense or thick grass, after I replaced the s**t-filled fuel filters.

Also, the 24" height was not measured with a ruler, but was an eyeball estimate. It was very thin grass (less than 1/16" thick, maybe up to 1/4" wide blades), and it had already been cut to under 4" tall just five weeks earlier. So it was not a huge load on the cutter.

Glad you got your BX filters sorted and it is running like it should.

I am in a different camp compared to a lot of folks here on OTT. I ran a 4 foot rotary cutter behind my 13 pto Hp B7100 in similar grass conditions and never had an issue. Of course , like you, I listened to what the tractor was telling me and adjusted ground speed, cut hight and swath accordingly.