Kioti KMR03-60 Finish Mower (Sicma, First Choice)

[Ozark Hollow]

I have a Kioti KMR03-60 Finish Mower. It's Italian made, and the same as the First Choice and Sicma brands. Recently I was out mowing and noticed it was vibrating and making noise.

I found that one of the blades is loose. But I can't budge the nut. Has anyone here changed the blades on one of these mowers? Is the nut on with locktite, or is it maybe reverse threaded? Any idea of the torque specifications?

I'm planning on driving the tractor over to a friendly shop that has an air wrench, and they asked me to try and find out. I have had ZERO luck contacting local Kioti dealers about these questions. I got one response from the 5 dealers I contacted, and he just said. "I don't know".

Any help greatly appreciated, my yard really needs mowing.

 

[leonz]

I believe that Ken Sweet carries the Sicma brand of mowers.
I am sure he can help you with it. You can call him or send
him a PM through the forum.

 

[WVUNUT1985]

I also have a Kioti KMR03-60 Finish Mower and the owners manual for it. The blade bolt fastener is a M18 self locking nut on the blade. I have removed mine several time to sharpen the blades. The only way I have ever been able to get them loose is with an impact wrench. There is no touque specs in the manual for them. The manual only says "make sure the blades are tight".

 

[Ozark Hollow]

Thanks both of you.. WVUNUT... Do you remember if the bolt was normal or reverse threaded?

 

[WVUNUT1985]

It is a normal thread. Again, I have never been able to get them off without an impact wrench.

 

[sweettractors]

Not reverse threads. Secure the quill spindle before using impact wrench to remove. Ken Sweet

 

[Kernopelli]

I have a KMR03-72 and can't add anything to answer your questions that hasn't been mentioned. That said, The Kioti finish mowers are great mowers. I was using mine yesterday to cut a field behind my house that consisted of heavy weeds up to 6' tall, thorn bushes and small Russian olive trees. This is not how I like to use this mower but to be honest, I have used it to mow similar growth more than once. I bought my mower in 2003 and have had no issues with it other than an occasional flat tire or snapped grease zerk. The quality of cut is excellent when used as designed also . I have also owned a 60" J.Deere side discharge RFM and was really surprised at how poorly it compared to the KMR. I can't say enough good things about this mower.

 

[Ozark Hollow]

Ken, sorry for my ignorance, but what is the quill spindle, and what do you use to secure it? I don't see that part on the parts list I have. I see a blade spindle and a blade spindle shaft.

Kernopelli, I'm glad to hear that you have had such good luck with the mower, because the dealer support has been abysmal. Hopefully I won't have to get it serviced very often.

Thanks everyone, I'll pass it on to the mechanic with the impact wrench. Hopefully I can get the mower fixed this week. We had a boatload of rain this weekend and I don't want to have to mow my large yard with a scythe again.

 

[sweettractors]

Ken, sorry for my ignorance, but what is the quill spindle, and what do you use to secure it? I don't see that part on the parts list I have. I see a blade spindle and a blade spindle shaft.

Kernopelli, I'm glad to hear that you have had such good luck with the mower, because the dealer support has been abysmal. Hopefully I won't have to get it serviced very often.

Thanks everyone, I'll pass it on to the mechanic with the impact wrench. Hopefully I can get the mower fixed this week. We had a boatload of rain this weekend and I don't want to have to mow my large yard with a scythe again.

To keep the shaft from turning, there is a flat above the blade. Ken Sweet