BX deck installation for dummies

[Jabroni]

That's because for the MMM we have to get down on ours knees and make all kinds of groaning sounds as we realize we're wearing shorts and the driveway is hot from the sun. The BH and FEL is easier, because we just have to walk around and the hydraulica do all the work.

The degree of difficulty is directly proportional to age. I'm pushing 60.

 

[brinet]

Try this link for a "visual" demonstration:

http://bones.brinet.com/~kirk/tractor.wmv

 

[megaboz]

I couldn't help but laugh. BUt I think I feel everyone's pain. I've ran into all the same issues.

If the shaft goes on easy, the links don't reach (sorry got gravel and it sucks). If the links reach, then the shaft just doesn't slip on. If all that goes well, then I can't get the front support to connect.

And if everything goes on and I am done in 5 minutes. I undo it all because something must be wrong, I'm a big believer in Murphy's Laws!

The FEL raising it up off the ground is a big help, just makes things easier. And I do the strap thing and pull it over, still not easy on gravel, and the one time my strap came loose, well I went over my hill.

If you have short arms, removing the wheel might be the only way. My arm just barely reaches in there. I never thought about changing the PTO engagement, I usually just rotate the blades with my other hand to get it to line up.

 

[mow4fun]

I have done this few times on my driveway and think I finally got the hang of, you definitly need to get on your back couple of times and I don't bother with twisting the wheels anymore.

Taking off:

Drop the deck to the lowest setting, release the front link first and then the side links. You might need to wiggle the side links to get them to unhook. Raise the deck, uncouple the PTO shaft and use the deck wheels to push it forward to drop the shaft. Then just pull it out.

Putting on:

Push it back in, raise the deck, hook the PTO shaft and use the deck wheels to push it in and lock it. Make sure the middle links are aligned and lower the deck to it's lowest setting. Hook the front link first, the deck should be aligned with the middle links. Just lift the deck from each side by hand to get the middle links to engage.

takes me about 5 minutes per procedure now, hope this helps.

 

[Tom_H]

I usually just rotate the blades with my other hand to get it to line up.

If everything is properly lubed and there is nothing restricting movement, this should not be necessary. With the slightest torque from my wrist on the PTO coupling, the entire linkage from coupling back to the blades all rotate.

This notion of putting the FEL on so you can lift the tractor and have more room to attach the MMM...I just don't see the logic. It is so much more unnecessary work. Either you have to take the FEL back off, or mow with it on. In my mind, both of those options are illogical. If you want to lift the tractor, buy a $40 quick hydraulic hand jack and a pair of jack stands for safety. This is far more efficient for a very few dollars.

One TBN member PM'd me and said he'd copied my MMM dolly, which makes R/R the MMM a piece of cake for him now. I keep telling you guys what a difference it makes. It seems to me that a lot of people would prefer to have a PITA to complain about, rather than taking a solution when it's right in front of them.

 

[MoreCowbell]

I'm running a BX2350 with a 60" regular cut MMM. Ironically, I'm OK with attaching the driveshaft. Instead, my biggest difficulty is just getting the deck under the tractor to begin with. I'm constantly having to yang it on different angles as the side deck wheels hang up on the rear tractor tires, then the deck height bolts hang up on the chassis, then the front-center deck wheel hits the front tractor ties, then back around again.

If my FEL is on the tractor, I usually lift the tractor front up to get more clearance. I like the idea of using dollies under the deck. Maybe I'll try that. I'll admit that when I'm wresling this thing I do get jealous of the JD guys with their drive-over mower decks (but that is pretty short lived though).

 

[dennisgw]

The FEL is so easy to put on/off and provides all the clearance you need. This is the only way I change out the deck. Riding over a deck seems wrong!!!!!

 

[fish6942]

I found some simple little individual dollies that go underneath each anti-scalp wheel. It makes the deck alignment soooo much easier. However, I'm fortunate enough to be doing this on smooth concrete.

 

[snpower]

Practice makes perfect! Took me like 40 minutes the first couple of times, and I was sweating my head off. I can do it now in 5 minutes tops. The techniques aforementioned on this thread are great advice although I do not see the need to remove the rear wheel in my case.

 

[tonylumps]

I use the little Dolly wheels from www. moweraxle.com makes it a lot easier to menauver around