BCS 852 Two-Wheel Tractor, Honda GX390 Electric Start

Description

BCS 852 Electric Start Two-Wheel Tractor, Honda GX390

Large mowing areas are where the electric-start 852 belongs. It starts with a key (a recoil starter is kept as backup) and pairs a Honda GX390 with a gearbox whose third working gear BCS describes as particularly useful for covering ground, plus a fourth gear that only works as a transport speed with front-mounted tools. BCS says the 852 is especially popular with owners who want that front-mount transport speed.

Covering Acreage With Front Mowers

With a front-mounted mower the 852 steps through first and second gears for heavy growth and slopes, then uses third at 3.0 mph for open ground. The transport gear at 9.2 mph moves the tractor between fields, ideally with the mowing sulky attached so the operator rides. Key start matters on this kind of day, when the engine is stopped at every gate, every bale row and every refuel.

Attachments and Requirements

The 852 shares the 749 and 853’s column on BCS’s application chart. The 30 and 40 inch sickle bars and the 26 inch tiller need a quick hitch or PTO extension for clearance or balance; the power harrows need the Quick Hitch Bushing and a Bumper Weight Kit; and the plastic mulch layer needs 22 inch wheel extensions and that bushing. The 45 to 82 inch bars, both two-stage snow blowers and the chipper/shredder mount without extras.

852 Electric Specifications

• Start: electric, recoil backup
• Engine: Honda GX390
• Speeds: 0.9, 2.0 and 3.0 mph working; 9.2 mph transport (front mount)
• Axle: differential drive with lockout
• Brakes: one per wheel for steering
• Tires: 5x12x22″ standard
• Clutch: double cone, spring-loaded

Laying Up for Winter

A mowing tractor often sits from first frost to spring. Run the carburetor dry or add fuel stabilizer before storage, change the engine oil while it is warm, clean grass out from around the engine shrouds, and keep the battery charged on a maintainer so the key start works in spring. Residential owners have lifetime transmission coverage, commercial owners five years; the tractor carries three years residential and one year commercial, and Honda warrants the engine.

Recoil 852, 853 or 749

The recoil 852 costs less for owners who rarely restart. The 853 puts the transport speed on the rear-mount side for trailer work. For long, high-torque sessions with a flail mower or chipper, the 749 PS adds BCS’s PowerSafe wet clutch with five years of residential coverage.