BX1500 - lesson learned

[DaveInColorado]

I really hate putting the MMM deck back on, which lead to this problem. I tilled a 1500 sf section of lawn to about 6" deep last Saturday in preparation for running a landscape rack, removing rocks, smoothing out, and adding compost so I could seed it this coming Saturday. I neglected to pay attention to the weather forecast! We've had lots and lots of rain over the past two days turning my lawn into a huge, deep, and sticky mud pit. I've been using both the FEL and rear tiller, plus the MMM is still on the tractor (we usually mow something almost everday). The tractor is heavy!!! So - there's an old garage door on the basement at the back of house that is crooked and the task of fixing it hasn't made it to the A list yet. Wife finds two mice in the kitchen, attributes the mice problem to the cocked door, so I need to get it shut. The easist way is to just lean the FEL on it, right? There's mud down there, and lots of it! I startup the BX1500, put in 4WD, and plow on through, having lots and lots of trouble almost getting stuck. Finally figured out the problem. The deep, chewed up mud was hanging me up on the mower deck! I did finally get the job done but it wasn't pretty. I'll never get the BX1500 out of there if the sun doesn't come out and dry things up.

This is Colorado, dang it. It isn't supposed to rain this much.

 

[Bob_Yohon]

I feel your pain. The rain in WNY is way over the norm. Like you I need to plant grass seed in the yard but it's too wet. I have not even bothered yet to mount my MMM on the BX2230 because of this. I have an old Craftsman to manage the yard until it dries up. At this rate it'll be next year. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[Henro]

So...

Which lesson did you learn?

To pay more attention to the weather forecasts...or...

To learn to love removing and installing the MMM?

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[jrlichina]

I don't understand the problem with installing/removing the MMM. It's very simple, takes me about 3-4 minutes to put it on and like 2 minutes to take it off.

 

[Henro]

I forgot to add that something that makes the mower installation MUCH easier is to lift the front wheels off the ground a little, either with the loader (which I don't have) or by driving the front wheels up on something about four inches or so high (old fence post pieces, which I do have... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif )

Even on gravel...it makes all the difference and it is not a big deal at all... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Mahlon]

</font><font color="blueclass=small">( I don't understand the problem with installing/removing the MMM. It's very simple, takes me about 3-4 minutes to put it on and like 2 minutes to take it off. )</font>

Same here. And I don't have any special techniques, nor do I raise the machine's front wheels. All I do to install the deck is raise the lift links, turn the height knob to "0", roll the mower under the deck, lower & connect the lift links, install & connect the front links, connect the drive shaft, raise the deck, change the gauge wheels around, set height knob to desired cutting height, and VIOLA. Done. Granted the 60" deck weighs a bit more than my 54", but you don't really have to manually lift the deck to do this (unless you forget a step, as I sometimes do).

Why are so many people having trouble with this? Or is it just a vocal minority?

 

[KirkMcD]

When I first got my BX23, I had trouble putting the mower on and off, but now that I know the tricks, it's easy.

 

[jrlichina]

I don't even rotate the wheels. I can slide it with no problem on my concrete gargae floor with the wheels in their normal position. Although rotating the wheels would make it much easier fro those who are unable to move heavier objects.

 

[astor]

Henro,
Great Idea!! I have a problem climbing under my bx2230 to attach the drive shaft to the pto. Not much room and I'm not even that large /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Next time I will use the FEL and lift up the tractor a little. That would make a big difference. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[MMCSKPD]

I agree with not having to turn the wheels on the deck. My 60" just slides great on the concrete. Took me 4 minutes to install the MMM today. (It was a Test)

 

[BIGUN]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I agree with not having to turn the wheels on the deck. My 60" just slides great on the concrete. Took me 4 minutes to install the MMM today. (It was a Test) )</font>

Yep, my little 48" deck wheels don't even turn, but I have never found that to be a problem since it slides so easily on concrete. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[DaveInColorado]

#1 lesson learned was to look at the weather before I start a big project. #2 lesson learned was to remove the MMM prior to starting a big project. #3 lesson learned was to continue all the lessons that I've given my 15 year old on removing the loader (he's good at it now) to also removing/installing the mower deck.

The item that I have such trouble with it is getting that fartin' driveshaft on and clicked in all the way on the PTO connection under the transmission. I don't have any good shoulders left and it is a real pain to do it without one. The last time I did it I WD'd and greased it all to heck and it went on without a problem. Other new technique that really helps a ton is to put the PTO lever in Rear Only PTO mode so that the mid-PTO freewheels. Maybe I'll get it working quickly someday. At the moment I avoid it like the plaque (dentist joke, son). With a 1" nylon strap to assist (for pulling 200lb deck under tractor from the other side) I usually don't have much problem getting the deck itself attached to the tractor.

Like I said, I think the answer is training my son how to do it. He's the one on the tractor in the snow in the icon on the side that represents me.

 

[ronjhall]

<font color="blue"> The item that I have such trouble with it is getting that fartin' drive shaft on and clicked in all the way on the PTO connection under the transmission. </font>

Dave in CO.

I had a similar problem hooking up the MMM PTO on my B2910. I solved it by laying on a creeper and sliding under the 3PH and reaching forward and grabbing the PTO coupler with both hands. When I tried to install the PTO from the side I could only get one hand on the shaft to align it with the PTO. Even though your BX may be lower installing the shaft from the rear of tractor may help.

 

[Henro]

<font color="blue"> Even though your BX may be lower installing the shaft from the rear of tractor may help. </font>

Knowing first hand the difference in ground clearance between the BX and B2910...I can't help but think passing on dinner and drinking a lot of "slimfast" for several weeks might also be a prerequsite...if one hopes to gain access under the BX 3PH... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Funny thing is, even though I am right handed, for some reason I find it easier to put the MMM shaft on with my left hand...while laying on my back (more or less) with my feet pointed to the rear of the tractor, while I am on the left side of the tractor, as seen when sitting in the seat...

 

[Don_Sullivan]

BIGUN,
I also have a 48" MMM on my BX1500 but had a serious overload (or maybe an excess of sloth) for my geriatric body. The solution was four Shepherd 9299 three wheel 6" "Super Dolly's" under the gage wheels. Got mine at Home Depot and, aside from sometimes being a little tippy, they work the nuts on my concrete floor.