Quick connect or Nightmare?

Mark C.

New member

Equipment
BX1880, Front blower, front end loader with bucket and claw, Belly mower.
Feb 8, 2022
7
0
1
Winterwhite2021
Have a bx 1880 with loader and quick connect.
Okay I am turning 65 this Summer and not as strong anymore, but quick connect is a POS. Is anyone aware of a way to make that thing easier that doesn't involve surgery afterwards for me?

Also, another issue, with age my joints don't bend well anymore and the step up is just a little too high. Anybody know of a fix that doesn't involve welding, am willing to drill holes.

With my soft cab side mirrors are very tough to find. Thank guys, appreciate it.
 

Mark_BX25D

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Bx25D
Jul 19, 2020
1,754
1,278
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Virginia
I'm about to turn 66 this summer. I suggest more physical activity, after seeing a doctor to see if you have some kind of degenerative disease. It's not normal for a man your age to have those kind of problems.
 
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xrocketengineer

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Lifetime Member

Equipment
BX1880, FEL, Grapple, 36 in. Forks, 48in. MMM, Quick Spade, Ripper
Nov 14, 2020
749
648
93
Merritt Island, Florida
I am 68 and I have no problems with the FEL quick connect of my BX1880, as long as I relieve the pressure after shutting down the engine and before disconnecting and reconnecting the quick connect.
However, the third function connection is a different story. At least one of the Pioneer female connectors is almost always a pain. I am debating on coming up with a tool to relieve the pressure or replacing them with flat face connectors.
I do not have a cab, so getting in and out is probably easier for me.
 
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aug1113

New member

Equipment
BX23S
Sep 8, 2020
19
21
3
Arizona
Have a bx 1880 with loader and quick connect.
Okay I am turning 65 this Summer and not as strong anymore, but quick connect is a POS. Is anyone aware of a way to make that thing easier that doesn't involve surgery afterwards for me?

Also, another issue, with age my joints don't bend well anymore and the step up is just a little too high. Anybody know of a fix that doesn't involve welding, am willing to drill holes.

With my soft cab side mirrors are very tough to find. Thank guys, appreciate it.
I had the same issue as you have, but since I put a thin coating of anti-seize on the two alignment pegs, the issue went away for me. Now it's much easier to reattach.
 
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GreensvilleJay

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Equipment
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
11,421
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Greensville,Ontario,Canada
69, getting down is kinda ok, getting up, yeesh..gotta think about it....
Everyone's different..what we eat,drink, do, all affects us more than we think...
A possible option, may be another tractor ? Dedicate one to 'grass cutting' another for 'loader services'. I did this decades ago, works very well for me.. Just remember no matte rhow old we get, we ain't getting any younger ! Make things EASY for yourself.
 
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Mark C.

New member

Equipment
BX1880, Front blower, front end loader with bucket and claw, Belly mower.
Feb 8, 2022
7
0
1
Winterwhite2021
I'm about to turn 66 this summer. I suggest more physical activity, after seeing a doctor to see if you have some kind of degenerative disease. It's not normal for a man your age to have those kind of problems.
I guess I should have mentioned I had a stroke 2 years ago and have lost a lot of feeling and strength in my right arm. For those of you who still think your so dam strong at my age.
 

Mark C.

New member

Equipment
BX1880, Front blower, front end loader with bucket and claw, Belly mower.
Feb 8, 2022
7
0
1
Winterwhite2021
I had the same issue as you have, but since I put a thin coating of anti-seize on the two alignment pegs, the issue went away for me. Now it's much easier to reattach.
Thanks very much for the constructive comment.
 

xrocketengineer

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
BX1880, FEL, Grapple, 36 in. Forks, 48in. MMM, Quick Spade, Ripper
Nov 14, 2020
749
648
93
Merritt Island, Florida
I guess I should have mentioned I had a stroke 2 years ago and have lost a lot of feeling and strength in my right arm. For those of you who still think your so dam strong at my age.
In that case, would a small crescent wrench on the handle add some additional leverage for you when connecting the quick connect?
IMG_20220430_114308.jpg
 

Russell King

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L185F, Modern Ag Competitor 4’ shredder, Rhino tiller, rear dirt scoop
Jun 17, 2012
5,368
1,415
113
Austin, Texas
See if you can get a step from

I imagine that they would be willing to make any modifications you need for the right amount of money
 

TheOldHokie

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L3901/LA525, B7200DT/B1630, G2160/RCK60, G2460/RCK60
Apr 6, 2021
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windyridgefarm.us
I guess I should have mentioned I had a stroke 2 years ago and have lost a lot of feeling and strength in my right arm. For those of you who still think your so dam strong at my age.
I guess I should have mentioned I had a stroke 2 years ago and have lost a lot of feeling and strength in my right arm. For those of you who still think your so dam strong at my age.
Unfortunately things like this seem to be an inevital part of social media and forums.

Dan
 

RalphVa

Well-known member
Jan 19, 2020
738
320
63
Charlottesville
I don't know why people have to take the loader arms off. I'm on my 4th tractor with FEL since 2004 and have yet to remove the FEL arms, bucket yes.
 
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skeets

Well-known member

Equipment
BX 2360 /B2601
Oct 2, 2009
14,562
3,317
113
SW Pa
Well I think it depends on what you are riding on, around here in the highlands you either go up or down the yard side to side is bad JUJU on the best of days. If I was flat and level and didnt have to make many tight turns I wouldnt take it off either, FEL on hills can get a bit,,, ahhhhh iffy. And at 73 I dont bounce or heal like I did 50 years ago, So yeah it comes off when I mow
 

xrocketengineer

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
BX1880, FEL, Grapple, 36 in. Forks, 48in. MMM, Quick Spade, Ripper
Nov 14, 2020
749
648
93
Merritt Island, Florida
If I left the loader on, I probably would not be able to mow more than 30% of what I mow now of 1 acre. In my case, I even have to remove the three point hitch to avoid "harpooning" my air conditioning units when backing up. It is also amazing the amount of weight on the tires due to the loader too:

 
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lynnmor

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B2601-1
May 3, 2021
1,444
1,159
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Red Lion
I guess I should have mentioned I had a stroke 2 years ago and have lost a lot of feeling and strength in my right arm. For those of you who still think your so dam strong at my age.
I am older than nearly all of you kids and still get around reasonably well with my 2 year old knees. As we age, we should become less judgemental of our fellow geezers, we all have different life experiences and different genetic luck. That said, I am well aware that exercise and diet play a big part in keeping us active, and we should do what we can to keep us going, some can only do a little and others can do a lot. Mark, I wish you the best.

I added a factory step to my B2601, not that I really needed it, but I think it adds a bit of safety when things get slippery. Hopefully you can find something at a reasonable cost.
 
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Pau7220

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Equipment
L3650 GST, Landpride TL250 FEL w/ Piranha, 6' King Kutter, GM1084R Finish
Aug 1, 2017
785
278
63
Scranton, PA
the step up is just a little too high.
I have the same issue… without the stroke. Grateful to be mostly healthy. This would be ideal for a tractor, not bending anything if it hits something. Easy enough to make in a couple of hours with scrap iron and tire sidewalls or old conveyor belt.
Although much less flexible, a wire rope truck step would also work.
 
Last edited:

xrocketengineer

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
BX1880, FEL, Grapple, 36 in. Forks, 48in. MMM, Quick Spade, Ripper
Nov 14, 2020
749
648
93
Merritt Island, Florida
I have the same issue… without the stroke. Grateful to be mostly healthy. This would be ideal for a tractor, not bending anything if it hits something. Easy enough to make in a couple of hours with scrap iron and tire sidewalls or old conveyor belt.
Although much less flexible, a wire rope truck step would also work.
Great idea! A couple of these:

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p...00421-P?searchTerm=Exhaust+Hangers+&+Hardware

Two clamps, a piece of pipe and couple of 90 degree brackets, screws and nuts and Bingo!
 
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Mark_BX25D

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Equipment
Bx25D
Jul 19, 2020
1,754
1,278
113
Virginia
I guess I should have mentioned I had a stroke 2 years ago and have lost a lot of feeling and strength in my right arm.

Yes, you should have. Complete & correct information is always a prerequisite to solving problems.

It's not normal for a man your age to have that kind of problem, so that information was essential. Knowing that up front would have enabled people to give better answers.

I'm sorry you're struggling with your health.
 
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lugbolt

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Equipment
ZG127S-54
Oct 15, 2015
5,207
1,894
113
Mid, South, USA
Marc, I used to work on these things on a daily basis.

Yes the design is poor. They are a pain to deal with in all aspects.

Unfortunately I do not have a good answer other than redesigning the whole deal.

I'm close to being in the same boat, but I didn't have a stroke. Carbon Monoxide poisoning at an early age, affected most of my left side. Strength is ok but coordination isn't.

it sucks.
 
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jimh406

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Kubota L2501 with R4 tires
Jan 29, 2021
2,358
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Western MT
There is a commercial step as well. https://www.specialtyrepairscustommods.com/bx-ez-on-step

I also watched the Messick video on removing the loader and/or bucket. It seems the biggest bang for the buck is actually to remove only the bucket. It was about half of the weight on the model he showed. I believe it was a BX.
I would at least try removing bucket only in your situation and see how it works for you.

Also, from all I’ve heard the connections/pressure are very sensitive to temperature, so try to connect/reconnect at very similar temperatures.
 

drumminj

Active member

Equipment
L4701, Mule 4010
Nov 4, 2021
152
119
43
TN
However, the third function connection is a different story. At least one of the Pioneer female connectors is almost always a pain. I am debating on coming up with a tool to relieve the pressure or replacing them with flat face connectors.
My flat face connectors for my 3rd function are a pain to connect. I ended up buying an XBoom QC Mate clamp to make it possible to connect them when there's pressure in the line on the grapple side, but find I just use it every time to avoid the "how strong am I today?" test :)

Just mention that as I'm not sure flat face will be any better than pionner for a 3rd function in that regard