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Wow, I posted this 7 months ago and forgot to check back for a response. Anyway, just wanted to close this thread by saying I figured out the problem shortly after posting. The key to getting maximum lift is to ensure that both ends of the top link have equal amounts of threads exposed prior to attachment to the tractor and implement. In other words, make sure the top link's middle section is centered. then, as you tighten the middle section by twisting it, there is more length available to reduce (thereby lifting the implement that much more). What I was doing wrong was to have start out with very few exposed threads left on either end, thereby reducing the amount of shortening possible. Simply geometry once you stare at it long enough. :)

The rake now lifts about foot off the ground. It still seems like Kubota could engineer this differently to avoid confusion, however once you figure it out it's not a big deal (for this rake, at least).

-Barry

Land Pride LR1560 Rake lift height on Kubota BX23
Operating and Attachments
Replies 13 Post by BX23Fan

I'm putting in a drip system and have lots of elbow connectors, Tees, couplers, etc between runs of 1/2" drip line. I've connected a few runs of hose via these compression fittings and feel like there must be a trick to make them join more easily. I find myself really working hard to muscle the hose into each fitting. After a few of these, I'm not looking forward to the rest. Surely there is a simple trick or tool to make this easier...?<br>
<br>

Tips for connecting 1 2 drip line to compression fittings
Garden and Landscape
Replies 1 Post by BX23Fan

My BX-23 has 120 hours on it. The other day while cleaning the backhoe, I noticed that a small o-ring on one of the hydraulic cylinder snapped and popped off. This cylinder is controlled by the right joystick while moving forward/backward -- not curl (left/right). The o-ring appears to be there to keep dirt and debris from entering the hydraulic cylinder as the arm is retracted. Should I be concerned and get this fixed (under warranty) or just ignore it? Seems like it serves a good purpose.

O-Ring broke on backhoe hydraulic arm
Kubota Tractors
Replies 4 Post by BX23Fan

I have a 60" mowing deck for my BX-23, but haven't used it yet since my lawn is still a work in progress. This sucker is pretty heavy to lift/tilt by hand, which makes me wonder what the easiest way is to sharpen the blades. The manual says nothing about how to go about this. What's the easiest way to remove and sharpen the blades?

Sharpening blades on a mowing deck -- easy
Kubota Tractors
Replies 24 Post by BX23Fan

I have a 60" mowing deck on my Kubota BX-23 and wish to purchase a lawn sweeper to match. Trouble is, I haven't found a sweeper larger than 46" (Agri-Fab). I suppose I could overlap during cutting, but that kinda defeats the purpose of a 60" deck.<br>
<br>
Does anyone know of a 60" sweeper I can purchase?

Looking for a 60 lawn sweeper
Garden and Landscape
Replies 5 Post by BX23Fan

I just completed the 100 hour service on my BX-23. After checking the torque on the front wheels, I noticed the bolts had slipped by as much as 2-3 turns. I've never seen this much slippage on my cars (1/2 turn at most) and therefore was a bit surprised to see it on the Kubota. The rears were still at the correct torque spec.<br>
<br>
Torque was to spec during the 50 hour service, so the slippage must've occurred recently. My only explanation is that I've been running in four wheel drive for at least the past 50 hours (lots of dirt work) and the stress on the front wheels must've been higher.<br>
<br>
My torque wrench is calibrated properly, as verified on the rear wheels and three other vehicles in my garage.<br>
<br>
Anyone experience this?

Front wheel stud bolts loosened this much
Kubota Tractors
Replies 3 Post by BX23Fan

Thanks for the warning... In that case, I'll probably just use the box scraper to push most of the dirt back in the trench (keeping the blade off the turf) and then hand-rake the rest.

Trenching with the BX-23
Kubota Tractors
Replies 21 Post by BX23Fan

Here's a thread containing more details and pics of the BX-24. <br>
<br>
http://www.mytractorforum.com/showthread.php?s=ac13cdbfedb4ea3deb8b23ad8d87ad94&p=54260#post54260

BX24
Kubota Tractors
Replies 5 Post by BX23Fan

What about the Agri-Fab spreaders?<br>
<br>
125lb spreader: <br>
http://www.greenshoes.com/item.php/invId=45-0347<br>
<br>
125lb spreader (powered): http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0007UQ2TG/002-9088638-4176030?v=glance<br>
<br>
85lb spreader:<br>
http://www.shopping.com/xPO-Agri_Fab_Agri_Fab_85_Lb_Broadcast_Spreader<br>
<br>
<br>
The 85lb unit isn't powered, but is $60 (free shipping).<br>
<br>
I'm in the market for one, too, so I'm very interested in this thread!

3 point hitch fertilizer spreader for sub compact tactor BX2230
Kubota Tractors
Replies 11 Post by BX23Fan

I'm not sure what wood is in the soil, but I'm in the Seattle area, so it's likely doug fir, cedar, and/or hemlock. <br>
<br>
Update on my quest for good soil: I spoke with the topsoil company and expressed some concern about the amount of wood, claiming that about 30% of the mixture is wood. They said they would create me a special batch (I could even approve it before purchase) with as much or little wood as I like. And still for only $12.95/yd. I told the sales lady that I'll take another 20 yards (need to plan a 120' row of english boxwood tomorrow) with 'less wood' and see if they can bring something more to my liking. I PH tested the last batch (the one with all the wood) and got a reading somewhere between 6.0 and 6.5 (closer to 6.0). That seems within the range I need for a good lawn.<br>
<br>
They seem very accomodating. I think I'll order the big load from them if this batch turns out well.

topsoil with wood chips in it -- a big deal
Garden and Landscape
Replies 17 Post by BX23Fan

I didn't have 50 hours to sunday-drive my tractor, so I'm sure I pushed it a bit more than I should have. Based on the recommendations in the manual, I kept the engine at probably mid-throttle for most operations. I occasionally had to go full throttle for heavier work and lowered the RPMs afterward. I'm a tractor newbie, too, so I just used as much common sense as I could muster. In my opinion (which isn't worth much, really), the most important thing you can do to ensure a long lived motor is to stay on top of the maintenance schedule. The initial 50-hour oil change is going to be critical because of the metal fragments that are floating around in the oil & filter. I will stop what I'm doing and change the oil at 50.0 hours.<br>
<br>

BX23 - MMM or RMM
Kubota Tractors
Replies 5 Post by BX23Fan

Well, I finally got around to excavating my patio area with the box scraper and FEL. The job was very easy, taking me about 5 hours to excavate a 15' x 70' area down 6-10".

I found the best approach to be to use the scarifiers on the box blade set at max depth to loosen the soil, then retract the scarifiers and use the smooth blade to gather the loosened dirty. If the scarifiers are down while gathering, then the box will bounce more often and slow the process. Each pass (loosen + gather) took off about 2" of soil. When completed, I smoothed the area with the scraper (scarifiers retracted). As far as I can tell, the end result could not have been any better had a pro done the work.

The BX23 is proving to be a very practical tool for residential use. Next job: 1/2 acre front yard. Can't wait!

shaving soil 6 with FEL box scraper
Kubota Tractors
Replies 14 Post by BX23Fan

I'm still learning how to operate my tractor, and one thing I've not mastered yet is the ability to keep the FEL level. I see the level indicator on the bucket, but I don't understand how to use this indicator. My technique right now is to just stick my neck out and see if the bucket looks level. Not a good technique, I must admit, as the parallax effect still throws me off. My backgrading and turf cutting is wavy and doesn't look that good just yet.<br>
<br>
How do I properly use the level indicator? What do I line it up with?<br>
<br>
Thanks!

Keeping the BX23 FEL level
Kubota Tractors
Replies 6 Post by BX23Fan

I have 1/4 acre of front yard to install. The yard was (until recently) a forest floor consisting of doug firs, hemlocks, and (later) alders. I'm entertaining the idea of foregoing the purchase of topsoil in favor of doctoring up the current dirt to be hospitable for grass.<br>
<br>
My limited research tells me that I would need to get the soil tested, add lime as necessary, and add in some ferterlizer. I'd use a rake attachment (to my Kubota BX23) or tiller attachment to mix it all together, then smooth it with my box blade, then seed and roll.<br>
<br>
The soil I have isn't sandy, but does have a bit of clay.<br>
<br>
I'd appreciate any words of wisdom to ensure a successful and healthy lawn.<br>
<br>

Considering not buying topsoil for new lawn
Garden and Landscape
Replies 3 Post by BX23Fan

I recently purchased a BX23 for my new home on 2.3 acres. I bought a 4' box blade and a 60" MMM. First order of business is install a ~1/2 acre front yard. The builder graded the front yard nicely with a bulldozer, leaving just smoothed dirt and 2"-6" rocks everywhere.<br>
<br>
So, first step is to remove the rocks in the top several inches of soil. I spoke with the local rental place and they recommended renting a Rock Hound ($315 per day) along with a Bobcat (cost unknown). I'd much rather use an implement that is compatible with my BX23's category 1 3pt hitch. He spoke of a rock rake attachment ($50 per day), but warned that it will not be nearly effective as the rock hound (no surprise) and may be frustrating to use, given the fact that it will mostly just bring rocks to the surface rather than collect them. I was thinking that I could angle the rake 15-30 degrees and channel the rocks into a line that could be picked up by hand afterward.<br>
<br>
questions:<br>
<br>
1) Is a rock rake that effective?<br>
2) Would angling the rake make a difference?<br>
3) Are they any better alternatives to a rake that are still cost effective?<br>
<br>
<br>
Your thoughts and comments are appreciated...<br>

rock removal techniques
Operating and Attachments
Replies 9 Post by BX23Fan