60" MMM - Uneven Cut

[Chyzikj]

60\" MMM - Uneven Cut

I bought a brand new 60" MMM for my BX2200 last April. The deck has NEVER given me a nice clean cut. It leaves a poorly cut swath about 6" wide just to the left of center. The swath appears to be cut, but is longer than the rest of the cut. It looks even worse a few days later when the grass has grown up some more. Then, you can see a distinct difference in the height of the grass.

I have checked the air pressure in the tires, leveled the deck (several times), sharpened the blades, switched the blades to different locations, and tried different cutting heights - no difference. I brought the mower to the local dealership twice. The first time they said there was nothing wrong, the second time they said the deck was not level (it WAS level). Both times we took it out back for a trial cut, but they were cutting in a field, not a lawn, and it was too difficult to see the problem with the type of grass in the field.

The warranty on the deck is up next month and I really don't know what else to do. I like everything else about the tractor and the deck - fast, powerful, etc. but the cut is just not that good; especially considering the price of the deck.

Anyone out there have a similar experience? Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance for your replies.

Jeff - Chesapeake, VA

 

[Von]

Re: 60\" MMM - Uneven Cut

My neighbor had the same problem with a JD rider. Had the dealer over a few times to figure out what was wrong. Turned out to be a bad bearing in the spindle. It would allow the belt to slip by dragging. The one spindle just didn't get up to speed as the others did. Once the new spindle went in the problem went away.

 

[Junkman]

Re: 60\" MMM - Uneven Cut

If that was the case with the JD, then it will be easy enough to swap the spindles from side to side to see if the problem goes to another blade. As long as you have documented the problem with the dealer in the past, then you should have no problem with Kubota dealing with this when it is out of warranty. They have to realize that the deck isn't used most of the year where you live. I would put a call into the Kubota zone manager for the area where you live and discuss the problem with him and ask him to open a file on the problem. Make sure to get the file number. That way, you will have recourse as soon as the mowing season starts this year. If I understand the problem correctly, the dealership never did anything other than leveling the deck. The way you describe the problem would preclude this being a deck leveling problem since it is a 6" swath. This is more likely a 1/2 of a blade tip problem in my opinion. I would be inclined to agree with the bearings as the likely culprit and a disassembly will verify that quickly. This isn't rocket science, but getting the dealer to do it might be. Good luck, it sounds like you are going to need it.. By the way, I have the same deck and it give me a beautiful cut and I am very satisfied with its performance. The only thing that I don't like about it is that there seems to be some sort of rock magnet that draws the blades to every rock in the lawn that I didn't know was there. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[rosey]

Re: 60\" MMM - Uneven Cut

My BX has NEVER given me as manicured a cut as my former Deere LX277 lawn tractor that I sold to move up to the BX. While I love the versatility of my BX (it has been one amazing little workhorse) the quality of the cut isn't that great. I have read that decks with 3 blades VS. 2 blades are nortorious for that. Just my opinion.

 

[TresCrows]

Re: 60\" MMM - Uneven Cut

Are the blades on right side up?, are they in the same plane?, if not the deck is bent. Is a blade backwards? Is the belt slipping? Are the blades uniformly sharp? You don't happen to have a mulching kit or bagger on it do you?
Do you run the mower fast enough, try full PTO speed.
I suspect your front tires are compacting the grass as you mow over it. My BX and even my 2410 give a good cut but it ain't gonna be the same as a dedicated lawnmower, both are to heavy and flatten the grass beneath the wheels more than previous ride-on tractor styled lawn mowers I have owned. If I mow fairly tall grass I can see my front wheels tracks the next day. Solution, sharp blades, run the deck faster, mow more often not allowing the grass to get tall enough to fall over, mow only when dry. J

 

[Chyzikj]

Re: 60\" MMM - Uneven Cut

Are the blades on right side up?
- YES

Are they in the same plane?, if not the deck is bent.
- I have leveled the deck per the manual. How can I verify the plane?

Is a blade backwards?
- NO

Is the belt slipping?
-NO

Are the blades uniformly sharp?
_ Yes, just sharpened them

You don't happen to have a mulching kit or bagger on it do you?
- No

Do you run the mower fast enough, try full PTO speed.
- Tried various speeds. Does not seem to be a factor. However, the thicker the grass the more pronounced the problem is.

I suspect your front tires are compacting the grass as you mow over it.
- I thought so too at first. But why only on one side? Besides, the swath does not seem to line up with the left tire.

 

[Dozernut]

Re: 60\" MMM - Uneven Cut

You could have possibly sheared a key off on the the shaft. The grass would give enough resistance to slow or stop the blade but the pulley woud still be spinning. To check, wedge the blade in question so it wont spin. Then pull on one of the other blades by hand and watch to see what happens. If the pulley still spins then you have sheared a key. It will most likely need a new shaft if this is the case. If not, I would take the others suggestion and check the bearings.

 

[Junkman]

Re: 60\" MMM - Uneven Cut

It might help to fill in your profile. You never know when another member might live around the corner from you and could possibly have the same mower deck and be willing to try your deck on his machine. That would give proof positive if it is your deck or your machine that is at fault. There are lots of possibilities and all we can do is to take a stab at the problem. If you help us with some profile information, possibly some member might be close enough to give you more than typing help. Here in the Northeast CT area, we help each other all the time with actual projects.

 

[Chyzikj]

Re: 60\" MMM - Uneven Cut

Update -

I called my local dealer and asked the (new) service manager for the zone managers phone number. That seemed to get their attention since they now "appear" very interested in solving my problem. I will be bringing the tractor there this week for them to look at. We'll see how much interest they really have.

While I have it there, I will ask them about my recently snapped air filter bracket, my leaking diesel tank, my throttle lever that won't stay at full throttle, and my sticking hydro pedal. Apparently, all common problems with the BX according to posts on the forum.

I'll keep you all posted. (I'll update my profile too)

Jeff

 

[theboman]

Re: 60\" MMM - Uneven Cut

What's the verdict?

I notice this with the 60" MMM on my B7500. Here's what I've figured out/noticed.

I get the same thing happening.... The MMM don't lift as well if the grass is wet, heavy. After mowing a round you see the streak and it's under one of the front tires (depending on the direction you mow).
If the grass is dry and been cut on a regular basis I don't see the problem.

 

[drcollie]

Re: 60\" MMM - Uneven Cut

I have that unit on my BX22. I get uneven cuts ONLY under the following conditions, and I religiously adjust all the parameters on my deck.

* sharp radius turns.

* uneven or sloped terrain.

As long as I'm on the flats and make wide arc turns, it does great. Remember it is a 60" deck and not a little 40" riding lawn mower unit.

-Duane

 

[r0GuE]

Re: 60\" MMM - Uneven Cut

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Update -

I called my local dealer and asked the (new) service manager for the zone managers phone number. That seemed to get their attention since they now "appear" very interested in solving my problem. I will be bringing the tractor there this week for them to look at. We'll see how much interest they really have.

While I have it there, I will ask them about my recently snapped air filter bracket, my leaking diesel tank, my throttle lever that won't stay at full throttle, and my sticking hydro pedal. Apparently, all common problems with the BX according to posts on the forum.

I'll keep you all posted. (I'll update my profile too)

Jeff )</font>

But other than that you like everything else about it right? /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Just kidding. I had the leaking tank and my throttle and hydro peddal both stick. Trade offs abound. I love my BX though. Hope you get the deck issue figured out. I noticed something wrong with my cut this year and it turned out the front nuts came loose and I was riding low on one side. I did te setup and got new blades and now it mows great. This year I came to the realization that I have to riske the antiscalp wheel meltdown because my lawn is getting too scaped. I now mow 4" and second hole from the top. It is a much better cut now.

 

[Chyzikj]

Re: 60\" MMM - Uneven Cut

UPDATE...

I have been impressed with the dealer's response to my problems, especially as my BX and MMM are both out of warranty since March 04. They fixed the air filter bracket, throttle lever (adjustment nut) and diesel tank sending unit free of charge. It took two trips to get the sending unit fixed since it still leaked after the first repair (they never filled the tank to test the repair).

The uneven cut issue is still pending. The owner of the dealership came to my house to witness the cutting problem first hand. He said my blades were worn and I was cutting too fast. Actually, my blades were recently sharpened (he said not to sharpen them - always replace with new ones!) and I was cutting at ~ 3/4 speed (he said cut at 1/2 speed!).

He gave me a complementary set of new blades, which did help (but not solve) the problem. We agreed to disagree on the his proposed solution and he referred the issue to the regional manager. THe regional manager called and said he would stop by to see the mower cut the next time he was in town.

As an aside, one of the mechanics at the dealership told me he thought the grass cutting could be solved by installing a set of "high lift" blades. The owner agreed, but said Kubota does not make a set for that MMM. I may look into this solution after they have done what they can.

Thanks for the posts...

...jeff

 

[theboman]

Re: 60\" MMM - Uneven Cut

It's hard to believe he said to mow at 1/2 throttle. I'm sure the RPMs will be too low. The higher the RPMs the more lift the MMM has to lift the grass to cut.
Slowing down makes perfect sense but I'd mow at full throttle to get lift.... it's a diesel it's made for the higher RPMs.