Mowing 60 Inch deck mowing

Anonymous Poster · Oct 16, 2001

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 · Oct 16, 2001

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 · Oct 16, 2001

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 · Oct 16, 2001

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 · Oct 17, 2001

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 · Oct 17, 2001

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 · Oct 17, 2001

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 · Oct 17, 2001

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 · Oct 17, 2001

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 · Oct 17, 2001

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.

Anonymous Poster · Oct 17, 2001

Try as I might, that knob will not trun to 'top'. Any ideas?

JimMorrissey · Oct 17, 2001

You have to retract the deck fully and then turn the knob to "Top". The deck has to be all the way up from what I can tell.

Hardware · Oct 19, 2001

I got a BX2200, FEL, 60 MMM and a box scraper for 13,300. Not the greatest price around, but alot less than other dealers in my area. It seems that the Northwest is a little higher than other parts of the country (higher shipping I guess). I did go out of state to save the 8% sales tax.
--Jim

theboman · Oct 19, 2001

When the deck is lifted up there should be holes on the MMM frame and the tractor for pins to hold it up. At least it's the way it is on my B7500 and the pins were in the tractor's tool box under the seat. The manual tells how it's done, it seems easy, but I ain't did it myself.

Bluegrass, Pick It Up!

upgw · Oct 19, 2001

I'm assuming turning from 4.0 to "Top" as opposed to the other way... even with the deck all the way up, I can not turn it. Perhaps I'll ask the dealer to have a look at it.

- Patrick W.

TWINKLE_TOES · Oct 19, 2001

Jim,
Congratulation on your new tractor. The BX is a popular choice.
I have had really good luck with Jennings Equipment, not to far from you, in Puyallup.
Al

TresCrows · Oct 20, 2001

The BX has a different mower design from the 7500. There are NO holes as in the 7500 to pin the deck up just as there is no height control/TOP knob on the 7500. You may engage the top position when the deck is at full up and then rotate the knob to top and then move the control lever to down to drop the deck onto it's resting position. To disengage the TOP STOP (or whatever you wish to call it) raise the deck full up with the control lever and then rotate the height control/top knob to the desired cutting height. Since the deck is shaft driven you can mow in any deck position without damage but I warn you to keep bystanders back with the deck raised up as it will throw sticks and stones with great velocity. I suggest you purchase a light duty 4 foot brush cutter despite the naysayers naysaying and have at it with your MityBX. Goodluck. J

Hardware · Oct 22, 2001

Thanks, I talked with Brady(?) Jennings about a fair special, he had the best price in WA that I found, but he could not overcome the sales tax issue. So far I love the BX... yesterday I found a Hydraulic leak

found a crack in one of the fittings. I will get it fixed tomorrow.
--Jim