60" MMM YOKE MOUNTING PROBLEM

[KRECKER]

60\" MMM YOKE MOUNTING PROBLEM

I have been have a lot of trouble when trying to get the yoke to stay connect. I have no problem getting the mower lined up and other parts connect, the problem is getting the yoke to stay in the locked position and even just getting it to lock. The dealer said that this would work out over time, but I have 52 hours on my BX2200 ( awaiting 50 hour service due to dealer back-log), and it requires a lot of time to get it to lock. I have had to resort to using a little "friendly" tap with a hammer to get it to stay locked.

 

[MReeter]

Re: 60\" MMM YOKE MOUNTING PROBLEM

I always spray a little lube on the collar lock when I service the mower.The lock will snap right into place,very easily,everytime. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[JWE]

Re: 60\" MMM YOKE MOUNTING PROBLEM

Krecker... I had the same problem as you describe. To resolve I do the same thing as Mreeter. I clean and lube the PTO shaft and the coupler everytime I grease the mower deck. Since I started doing that the PTO is very easy to connect. I use white Lithium grease in a spray can for the coupler and regular grease on the PTO shaft.

 

[Will_C]

Re: 60\" MMM YOKE MOUNTING PROBLEM

Those are good tips, it is what i do with my tractor. Also, it will get better over time, but I think my tractor had about 400 hours on it before it got real easy!
Will

 

[RebelYell]

Re: 60\" MMM YOKE MOUNTING PROBLEM

I have had this problem. Sometimes it clicks in perfectly, other times I have to cuss it before it locks in. I did have a problem a month ago. I had mowed 4 acres with no problem. I backed over a small hump which I dragged because it was so small in diameter but rasied about 4 inches. At any rate, the PTO pulled out and after about 1 minute I felt a horrible vibration. I shut it down and after some time, found the PTO was unlocked and the bearings were gone. Dealer gave me a new shaft, no questions. He did agree if I mowed 4 acres then I had it on correctly to start with.

 

[KRECKER]

Re: 60\" MMM YOKE MOUNTING PROBLEM

RebelYell, I had the same thing happen to my just after getting and removing the MMM for the first time and putting it back on. I had cut my two back acres and had stopped to talk with a friend, when I started it back up and moved a few feet, then same thing happened, I thought I had hit a huge rock or log. I shut it down and check underneath and sure enough the yoke and shaft had come off, plus the yoke had hit the hydrolic filter and oil was pouring out. I just barely get it back to my shop, before it stopped moving. I called dealer next day and they sent out mechanic. He said that this should not have happened. He put yoke back on and said that it was very hard to connect and he would tell the service manager. The service manager said that he would not order a new yoke, because this just does not happen. I do not if I need to got directly to Kubota or what, but thanks for the input and now I know that my mind isn't losing it. As you know a mind is a terrible thing.

Don

 

[JWE]

Re: 60\" MMM YOKE MOUNTING PROBLEM

Krecker… Guess what happened to me today? While mowing the PTO shaft came off and damaged the hydraulic filter and the brake linkage on the left side of the tractor. The last time the PTO shaft was removed was two weeks ago for a routine lube. I am beginning to think there is a design problem with the coupler because I know it was secure at that time. I took it off the mower today and looked at it and the coupling housing sure seems flimsy.

Anyway it created quite a mess for me. When it let go it tore a small hole in the hydraulic filter and hydraulic fluid sprayed all over the underside of the tractor. I was close to my garage so I drove it in there so that I could work on it. Needles to say, my garage floor is now covered with hydraulic oil.

I drained the remaining fluid and replaced the filter and everything looks OK from that end (no leaks). I will have to go to the Kubota dealer on Monday to see about ordering a new PTO shaft and the brake linkage. I hope he has them in stock but I doubt it.

 

[KRECKER]

Re: 60\" MMM YOKE MOUNTING PROBLEM

JWE,
thanks for the info. Sorry that you had this problem also. I sent you a private e-mail about several other things and some info that might be helpful.

Don

 

[kaz]

Re: 60\" MMM YOKE MOUNTING PROBLEM

The first time I took off my 60in MMM, the removal was easy. Putting it back on was a nightmare. I actually sent the dealer an e-mail last week telling him how hard it was. Like yourself, everything lined up fine but I could not get the yoke to lock in place. I rem. being told that removal and replacement of a deck is a 5 min. job. I spent 30 minutes and was covered in grease and oil. I too think something isn't fitting properly.
KAZ

 

[JWE]

Re: 60\" MMM YOKE MOUNTING PROBLEM

My coupler wasn't real hard to get on or off, especially after I lubed it. In my case I am concerned that it came off when I was mowing. I am absolutely sure that it was snapped in tightly the last time that I lubed it. Yesterday I took the wheel off so that I had clear access to the PTO shaft. The yoke snapped in place and I could see that it was fully on the shaft. I pulled and wiggled the PTO shaft and it released without touching the yoke. I believe there is something wrong with the locking mechanism inside the yoke. I took the yoke over to the dealer and he said that it would not release for him when he did the same test. I told him to try it multiple times before he drew any conclusions.

Maybe in your case the balls inside the yoke are not fully retracting when you pull the sleeve back. That would make it very hard to slide the yoke onto the PTO shaft. In any case it seems like a poor design to me.

John