BX24 with MMM. Does it get in the way often?

Volfandt · Apr 8, 2007

When I plan to do some serious time consuming digging I'll remove the MMM. If I'm just planting a tree or two or removing alarge rock or limb I'll leave it on. Basically I remove it when the chance of banging it around is eminent. I noticed when I was digging out my small pond that the beating and banging around on the MMM knocked it out of "plumb" which gave me an uneven cut. I was able to adjust it back but grew concerned that I could damage the linkages in future digging.
One good thing about having the MMM mounted is that it protects the tractors vitals on the underside. Once removed it leaves the HST fan and hydro filter exposed. What I've done to get some protection back is to fab up a little skid plate. Its a cheap thrown together deal that attaches to the MMM's connections but it does give me more protection than not. Theres a fellow here, Bro Tec. that makes a full permanent mounted skid plate that one may check out.

montelatici · Apr 8, 2007

"C'mon montelatici, roll up them sleeves and give it a try. Third time around you'll be able to do it in your sleep. No fun staying a virgin forever."

Well, implement installation and removal on my B5200 three point hitch was always a bear, disc, plow and scraper were never level when I returned to mount them and it was loosen the chains, up and down with the hitch until you got it close then a good malleting to get the things back on. Easily took a half hour, particularly the plow which sits there cockeyed. Then getting the bush hog back on the hitch was a pain as the PTO greased up like body builder would refuse to receive its mate (sexual innuendo). That's where I am coming from. Plus, it's not only the loader, but also the backhoe to find a nice level hard surface to rest on in the barn, which has a dirt floor. Then, having a compressed air system in my garage I know the o-rings in those quick disconnect hydraulic hose connectors will start leaking after numerous disconnects and connects. But, I agree a mower only would make mowing much easier.

KeithInSpace · Apr 8, 2007

montelatici said:
Well, that's what I thought, I suspect most users keep it on most of the time.

?? The only time I leave the mower on is if I'm doing "light" loader work...taking the trash out or something.

Including the bagger (which is a real pain), I can go from "mower" duty to "earthmoving" duty in about 15 minutes. That is removing the mower and bagger and mounting the FEL and BoxBlade.

On the BX, I think the mower really gets in the way. Hangs out too far. And mine "klunks" on the belly all the time when in the 'Top' position.

And it leaves you with minimal ground clearance. Had the front end ride up on me one time and I didn't know what I hit...looked down and the front wheels were COMPLETELY off the ground. Turned out there was a hunk of stump under me where I was moving some stuff around with the loader that rolled under the MMM and lifted the whole darn tractor off the ground. Odd, indeed, but I'm glad I didn't bend anything. Ever since then I always take the deck off. To darn expensive to use as a skidplate.

wotalota · Apr 8, 2007

montelatici said:
"Manual says don't mow with BH on."

I looked in the manual, both for the mower and the tractor and could not find this warning. Had I seen it I would not have mowed with the backhoe on the tractor. Would happen to know on which page of the BX24 Manual or mower manual this would be on?

I received my BX24 this weekend, still snow on the ground so just reading. I didn't know how to interprete this since it came with both the mower and backhoe attached. But on page 47, Hydraulic Unit, Installing Mower, there is the following.

"Do not attach nor opreate the mower with the backhoe still in place".

I have so far been unable to get the backhoe detached the pins seem jammed. Hope it gets a lot easier than this.

montelatici · Apr 8, 2007

That's what it says on page 47, but the dealer installed the mower with the backhoe in place and did a mowing, backhoe and loader demo with everything installed when he dropped off the tractor. But the manual says what it says!

KeithInSpace · Apr 8, 2007

wotalota said:
"Do not attach nor opreate the mower with the backhoe still in place".

Sounds like it could just as easily say "Don't operate the backhoe with the mower still in place." If it goes on, spins, mows, lowers, etc. without conflict, what's the problem? Though I understand why they'd want to have the two operations mutually exclusive. I generally take the mower off when doing 'real' work. Conversely, mowing with the BH attached would be a little strange.

Some other possible warnings for Kubota to consider in their manual: "Mowing is not recommended with the FEL in place." "It is not recommended to fart in a sleeping bag or a wetsuit while operating equipment."

All great suggestions. While all combinations are functionally possible, none are recommended for a variety of reasons.

timalabim · Apr 9, 2007

I don't have my manual with me, but I believe that there was an actual reason not to operate the mower with the BH in place. If I remember correctly it had to do with possible damage one of the valves. There was another long thread about this topic.