[b]B7500 HST 50 Hr. Questions[/b]

[Rusty]

I just finished the 50 hr. maintenance for my 2003 B7500 HST, LA302 FEL, and RCK60-24B mmm. I now have two new questions:

1) How do you "lubricate" the "front center anti-scalp roller" on the RCK60-24B mmm, and the "joints of control lever linkage" for the LA302 FEL? Spray WD-40? Grease exposed axles (not much exposed)? Disassemble and grease? Other?

2) What is the correct rear wheel tread for the B7500 HST and RCK60-24B combination, when running 33 x 12.5-15 turf tires? My left rear wheel rubs against the deck of the mmm, when the mmm is raised to the "transport" position (which I use for pasture mowing). Currently, my rear wheels are pinned in the center hole of the three holes in the rear axle. This leaves about 13/16" of axle sticking out beyond the wheel hub. Can I move to the outmost hole to widen the tread more? Figure F-8441 on page 45 of my tractor manual shows using either the center or outmost hole, however, it also shows the wheel with the hub outside the wheel, while my hub is inside the wheel. Figure G-4365 on page 14 of my mmm manual shows using the outmost hole also, but again it shows the hub on the outside of the wheel.

Thanks in advance for your comments!

 

[chim]

Rusty, Figure F-8441 shows min/max dimensions of 34.9" and 36.9" between centers of the tires. My B7500 has 12-15 Industrials, and in the manual it looks like they are shown mounted at the end of the axle. To achieve the dimensions shown, there's a lot of axle beyond the wheel.

There has been a fair amount of discussion on whether setting the wheels farther apart than recommended creates substantial added stress on the bearings and axles.

I have no manual on a MMM, so can't say much about that. It does seem odd a manufacturer would have a mower for a specific tractor that didn't work unless the rear wheels of the tractor were mounted out of spec......................chim

 

[TractorAddict]

Rusty,

I have a B7500HST with the RCK60-24B mid mount mower and had the same problem that you do. If I raised it up it would hit on the rear tires and the brackets where you are supposed to be able to pin the deck in the up position for 3 point use with other implements could not be used.

So, when I did the 50 hour service, I of course pulled the deck out from under the tractor for access to drain plugs, filters etc. I changed the fluid in the drive unit on the deck and sat down and looked through the mower manual to see if it was set-up properly. My rear tires are the same as your the hub is toward the inside and it is mounted in the same holes. So the tire/rim set-up is the same as yours. Moving them out does not look like it will accomplish much the left wheel will still rub. It came fully set-up from the dealer.

BUT, on page 15 of the mower deck manual it shows an illistration of the front linkage measuring the distance between the upper and lower pins, it is shown as dimension "L" in the picture. Then on the top of page 16 there is a "NOTE: Check that the length (L) of the front link is - RCK60-24B: 505mm or 19-7/8 in." It also lists the lenght for other deck models covered in this manual.

So, using a tape measure I measured as best as I could across the centers of the pins. It measured at 20". I thought what difference could an 1/8" make. But I loosened the jam nuts and tightened the clevesis down, retightened the jam nuts and measured it repeating unitl I hit 19 7/8". The 1/8" made just enough difference. I did that about 6 weeks ago and now can lift the deck up all the way, pin it up and the tires don't rub at all. There is probably .25" to .375" clearance between the tire and deck in the full up position. Give it a try and let us know if it works for you.

As for the lubrication questions, I was thinking of trying the lithium grease that comes in the spray cans.

 

[Rusty]

Chim - Thanks for the comments!

TractorAddict - Thanks for sharing your experience! I'll review the manual and do some measuring. I'll let you know how it works. Thanks, again!