New to me F3680, first use and impressions

[Rip]

Sounds like something else in the lift linkage is not right.....it is basically the main lift arms of a 3 PT rear linkage without the top link.....the arms are also spring-loaded (and adjustable) to transfer some of the substantial (500+ lbs) deck weight to the main drive wheels for better traction. As the deck is supported in the middle by the lift arms, the rear links are to support (lift) the rear of the deck to level it relative to the front guide wheels (on level ground at least) thus need to be adjusted to "match" the guide wheel height. As the real world is not a putting green, the deck also needs to float relative to the machine itself and this is where compromises get into the design.

Even if your machine was bought new the dealer may not have been fully familiar with the F-Series and something may not be set right (or even damaged) in the whole lift and support linkage. As I mentioned, the rear links are to support (lift) the rear of the deck to the lift arms and take the place of a top-link in a regular 3 PT hitch. The rubber pucks and steel washers set-up does need to allow for a fair amount of slop or free-play to provide the floating action while nominally leveling the deck on level ground.....could have been a better design.

The spring-loaded detent ball in each of the guide wheel spindles may still be in there if lots of grease or could be missing, but is no more than a minor factor in the scheme of things....it is not your problem.

By the way, I noted that while my machine was made in Japan, the mower deck was made in Georgia USA, so likely a completely different engineering team.

While I mow in low range at WOT I am often not at full pedal......the WOT just has the HST hydraulics and mower blades at optimal speed. I do use the head-band type ear plugs, but full muffs (even with radio) are preferred by some to minimize the whine. Be sure to check and clean the engine airfilter and radiator screen often......one can easily reach back and clean off grass blocking the air intakes on the shroud while mowing but after doing that several times I know to stop & check the inside stuff as well.....also watch the temp gauge.....when it starts to rise, time to clean the rad screen.

I got about 70 lb /tire with just water, so Rimguard would add about 80 lb. More aggressive tire tread would help traction, but also tear up the grass more when you do slip or spin.....may still be a worthwhile trade-off.

Cheers, Rip

 

[jcummins]

It is terribly humid here today. For an old man that means I struggle to even breathe with very little exertion. Afternoons like that I stay in air conditioning. But I did briefly go out and recheck how solidly the left side deck is to the ground versus right.

It's not quite as I thought. This deck is left centered on the F...as such it is naturally heavier on the left side. I think that is all I'm seeing. I think the mower deck is correct as it sits. The oscillating gauge wheel, I need to open it up. I'm hoping that ball is not in there, then it's a simple fix. I think for starters, I'm going to flip them before the next mowing, just to see.

As to when that will be...need to mow now, but we got intermittent rain, and Texas Bill is due this weekend. So, may bale the yard instead of mowing.

 

[Rip]

Having grown up in the mid-Atlantic region, I can understand the hot & humid situation.....and 65 as of tomorrow also know how age creeps (or runs as the case may be) up on us also. My side-discharge deck is offset to the left as well, so that side will be heavier, but both my gauge wheels rarely become so unloaded that they would even try to spin except for the odd very uneven terrain spot.

Really nice and cool (about 62) on the coast of Oregon right now.....and nothing I need to mow! Anyway, good luck with it all and staying cool (enough at least) until time for a cold one or two !

Cheers, Rip

 

[johncar]

Yes there seems something not right there, my front mower deck wheels also stay well planted on the ground and through some pretty nasty terrain.

Any chance of posting some pics of the deck setup and particularly the rear deck supports?

 

[Rip]

JohnCar, The F is in Tasmania and I am in Oregon, so no pics. Maybe one of the other good folks here can provide.....also from same model & year as your in the event Kubota changed anything lately. Also, the pre-load springs on the lift arms should be set about the same.....perhaps one is way different or even missing? They are tucked in and up so that they are not easy to see.

Good Luck! Cheers, Rip

 

[johncar]

JohnCar, The F is in Tasmania and I am in Oregon, so no pics. Maybe one of the other good folks here can provide.....also from same model & year as your in the event Kubota changed anything lately. Also, the pre-load springs on the lift arms should be set about the same.....perhaps one is way different or even missing? They are tucked in and up so that they are not easy to see.

Good Luck! Cheers, Rip

Sorry for the confusion Rip, because jcummins is having issues with one of his front gauge wheels spinning round and round I was thinking there may be something a miss with his deck setup. So I was asking if they might post some pics at least of the deck mountings.
I seem to have plenty of weight on both wheels so there must be something different going on.

 

[jcummins]

Johncar, I'd suspect or hope, that ball is missing on the gauge wheel tensioner (for lack of a better name). From my reading and study, I think everything else is there and properly setup.

 

[Happy Gilmore]

Finished mowing the yard. Use to take me 4 hours..10 mins or so. This mowing with F3680, 3 hours flat. F3680 has cut my mowing time by 25%. AND...I took a stab at mowing that inside pond dam. I got thru it, but I didn't get as close to the water as I wanted...no nerve. I'll get better at it, but that rear does drag down the hill. Feels like a bunch, but probably not as much as I feel. QUESTION for F series owners: 1. The right front gauge wheel on this 72" deck will go into rotating gyrations the faster you go. Left wheel seems ok. I don't really have amanual on the mower, but did find a F3680 WSW manual that included the mower, but it made no mention at all of any gauage wheel adjustments, other than height. How can I, or can I, fix this? It really catches your eye as you mow, as such finding I was looking at it all the time. 2. Hydraulic whine. It's provably normal, but it is very noticeable on this F3680. I've heard it in HST tractors as well, just none I've owned, and some loud, some aren't. Anything I can check, short of doing a fluid change, as to problems that may be there. Other than the whine, performs great.

In reply to question #1, I have recently noticed the exact same situation you describe with the right gauge wheel rotating around wildly. I have only noticed this when in high range and moving along at a good clip. I've never noticed it in low range, which is what I predominantly mow in. The faster I go in high the wilder the right gauge wheel gets and all the while the left stays straight. I have an F2680E with 72" RD. My gauge wheels are set at the same height right/left as well.

 

[johncar]

OK I don't have anywhere I can mow in high range which is probably why I haven't noticed the spinning wheel thing. My ground is just to rough, even in low range I wouldn't be able to go flat out anywhere much. If I do find a bit of a smooth track I will try it out though.

 

[jcummins]

Bingo. Yep happens high range only. Now I'm wondering if the deck situated left of Center on this machine, which puts more weight on the left side, is the culprit. I liked that they did that, gives you better trimming ability in that left side, but may be a side effect.