L6060 with Woods BB720X Cutter

SDT · May 31, 2017

Yesterday, the bolt attaching the telescoping stabilizer to the right lift arm on my L6060 sheared. The tractor has less than 50 hours on it.

The BB720X is Woods middle duty series 6' cutter and weighs over 1,200 lbs. with rear chain shielding. I use it on steep ground. Kubota recommends rotary cutters no heavier than about 1,050 lbs. for use with the L6060.

Wondering is this is going to be a recurring problem potentially requiring a lighter 6' cutter.

Anyone have any similar experience?

SDT

Grandad4 · Jun 1, 2017

Kubota's implement recommendations have always seemed exceptionally conservative to me. Always thought there was some CYA going on. So it doesn't seem likely to me that the extra 150 lbs. you're lifting would have done that, particularly in so few hours. Do you still have the busted bolt? Would be interesting to see if it had evidence of prior damage... either a bad bolt or one that took some kind of impact during use.

SDT · Jun 1, 2017

Grandad4 said:
Kubota's implement recommendations have always seemed exceptionally conservative to me. Always thought there was some CYA going on. So it doesn't seem likely to me that the extra 150 lbs. you're lifting would have done that, particularly in so few hours. Do you still have the busted bolt? Would be interesting to see if it had evidence of prior damage... either a bad bolt or one that took some kind of impact during use.

I returned the attachment assembly with welded-on broken bolt to my dealer in order to get a new one under warranty.

In a past life, I did failure analysis for GM, so am far from a novice in such respects.

The bolt broke at the first thread, rather than the location where the bolt interfaced with the lift arm. Such failure indicates defective steel or over torque.

I have replaced it with a new assembly and will monitor it. If it breaks again or the similar assembly on the left side breaks, it's time for a new and lighter mower.

Sadly, such things tend to happen after the 2 year warranty has expired.

BTDT.

SDT