Mowing 60 Inch deck mowing

[Anonymous Poster]

Hello, I have a Kubota BX2200 with the 60 inch mower deck. The
maximum height the deck can be set to is 4 inches. However, I have
some fields that I'd like to mow higher than that. Does anybody know
if you can mow with the deck up? It doesn't look like it kinks the
drive shaft or interferes with anything. The manual only cites safety
concerns when warning not to do that.

Thanks for the help,
- Patrick

 

[JimMorrissey]

Patrick,

I have done just what you are talking about without any mechanical problems (so far). Just use your lift to pull it and set it down when you need more height. It works great.

 

[RPM]

You can do it, but I don't think it's particularly effective (I've done it).

The problem is with the big field weeds that have woody stems at the end of the season. They can sometimes bend over and not snap - and the mower will ride all the way over them. I'm presuming it's because the deck isn't close enough to the ground to create the suction to pull them up into the blades.

I didn't have a problem mowing down my corn - but some of those field weeds seem remarkably resilient. I'm guessing this is just one of the reasons why the single large blade on a rotary cutter is better at this kind of job. The blades and deck on the BX are certainly engineered heavily enough.

Patrick

 

[jrdellaratta]

I was told by my Kubota dealer not to mow with the deck raised. I've got an L185 with a Woods L59 MMM, and I was told that mowing with the deck raised is bad for the belt more than anything: with the deck raised, the belt is no longer coming from the rear PTO and idler pulleys into the deck spindles straight.

But that doesn't mean I don't still do it from time to time.

 

[Hardware]

Hello All, I just bought my BX2200 today...YAHOO!! I did ask the dealer the same question and they said no problem. Also, since the BX has a shaft drive, belt alignment is not a problem.
--Jim

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Hate to ask this, but what did you pay? I had local quotes of $10,700 and $10,300 and took the lower one, but relative to some other postings I've seen, this looks to have been expensive. I got only the machine and the deck. Others appears to have gotten the FEL too for around $12,500, seems like a MUCH better deal.
Thanks,
- Patrick

 

[theboman]

I agree that it won't hurt to mow with the deck up, but you mow grass and bush (rotarty cutter) weeds/saplings, etc.
To keep the deck from falling pin it to the frame like you were using your FEL.

Bluegrass, Pick It Up!

 

[Bird]

I think the only thing you have to be concerned about is the quality of the cut. If you're satisfied with that, run it at any height you want.

Bird

 

[Anonymous Poster]

OK, mowing with the deck up works ok, even with the brake on ;-).... How do I "Pin the deck up"?? I noticed that the deck tends to lower itself a little after mowing awhile, and I have to put it back up.

- Patrick

 

[Charliebrn]

There is a knob near the floor by your left foot. Raise the deck all the way up, and turn that knob to "TOP". Lower the deck and it will stop about an inch or two from the top limit.