DONE!!
Well after another day of leg work and trying different things, here is the dirt and bottom line is yes it works!
First thing today I went to my local Kubota Parts folks - man I hope they never promote their parts guys to sales postions! The parts folks are the best and most patient people in the world!! Plus if they don't know something they actually tell you and don't feed you a line of bull!
I started today with 2 drive shafts the original one from the GC GCK60--BX and my front mounted snow blower BX2750 snow blower which is approximately 1.5 inches longer than the original GC drive shaft. Problem was, as I mentioned before, the coupler ends are different. So my intent & reason for visiting with my parts folks today was to find out if the universals for the 2 drive shafts were interchangable. The parts numbers were completely different but they looked to be about the same size & shape. So I went home with the 2 shafts and proceeded to disassemble both universals with the intention of swaping the coupler ends. After hours of delicate manipulation w/o damage to any of the bearings, caps, or lost needles, it became obvious that they are identical. I did the swap and got the GC aligned now so that the drive shaft is 100% straight & level! The cost for this will yet to be determined because when I called down to the parts department to order a new half (drive) shaft for my snow blower they informed me that their computer system was down & I'd have to try back on Monday.
Recapping from everything above that I have done, there really isn't that much to do to make the GCK60-BX fit the BX 24 &/or BX25. The first thing is to weld 6 " of 1.5" tube stock onto the end of the top link of the GC and drill the top link hole for mounting. Some matching Kubota ROPS gray paint finished this modification very nicely and drill that mounting hole prior to doing the welding. The GC 3 point mounting arm can be unbolted from the GC in short order by unbolting the 2 lower mounting pins/bolts, and the four 1/2" bolts on top that afix or secure the top link arm to the GC (actully the 2 on the left side only have to be loosened because the holes are slots and hence the thing just slides out from under them. Next is to get a longer half drive shaft from your Kubota dealer. Both of these part numbers will work the first is 70060-03113 (the one I used) from which is for the older BX23 tractor series when mounting the snow blower. The second part number is for the BX24/BX25 tractor series when mounting the snow blower 70060-02182. Trust me when I say these 2 parts are identical in fit, size, & appearance. Price the 2 items at your local Kubota dealer and take the cheaper one. Once you get it you will need a good vise, some sockets, & a dose of serious patience to disassemble the 2 drive shafts. The c clips for the universal bearings are on the inside so be prepared to get greasy. Just use sockets in your vise to press the thing apart but be careful not to loose any of the needle bearings. Once you press the bearing caps out you will need a pair of visegrips to gently twist the caps to free them completely from the yoke - BE GENTLE BECAUSE YOU WILL BE REUSING THEM WHEN YOU REASSEMBLE THE DRIVE SHAFT. Oh yeah use the longer outter shroud or plastic cover for the new GC half drive shaft, the old shorter one will leave a gap between the two drive shafts when connected and this is dangerous. Use the longer drive shaft protector, it will come with either drive shaft/part number listed above.
When you hook up your GCK60-BX after making the modifications above there is only one way to do it. You MUST position the GC behind the BX and CONNECT THE DRIVE SHAFT FIRST. Next i used a floor jack (here is where the motor cycle jack would be a better option) to raise & tilt the GC forward just a little to align the top pin/link, once aligned insert the pin. I found it best to jack just below the right lower link on the GC which is about the middle of the GC. While the GC is still slightly elevated on the jack (having inserted the top mounting pin), I raised my GC fixed supports and stored them inward as they are designed to do. Now by either raising or lowering the jack in very small incremints I was able to install my lower two 3 point hitch arms on the GC. Once on and secured, I removed the jack, & I then attached my lower linkage and tightened them to level it up..
I've included some pictures to show the new drive shaft position which is now straight & level AND MUCH SAFER!!! There is one final picture that shows the GC on the BX25 - IT CAN BE DONE. Other than the cost of a new half drive shaft for my snow blower (I'm thinking it will be $200) the cost was just a $20 weld job and some paint to the top link of the GC. In the grand scheme of things this was a lot less hassle than having to sell my GCK60-BX only to replace it with a GCK60-23BX AND my solution was much cheaper! The new GC does have a belt driven system versus the solid shaft drive system of the older GCK60-BX which I prefer.
As long as it doesn't snow before my parts folks can get me a new half drive shaft for my snow blower I'll be okay. If nothing else I guess I could try and vacuum up the snow with my GC. My apoology for the length of this post prior to arriving at a solution. As you can tell I'm pretty determined to get something to work when I set my mind to it. This has been no exception. If anyone ever has to go through this like I did it should now be a lot less painful as long as they can read this information first. If anyone has any specific questions that I could be of assitance with feel free to email me directly at
JosephGleason06@comcast.net.
