DIY replacing worn out gauge wheel assemblies Kubota F series

[arto98607]

Mocked up to make sure Big 15” Tire would clear the Deck Before welding gusset plates on 1.5x2.5 tubing frames.
They are extended 4” longer & raised 7” taller.

................

These custom spindles are Super Beefy & turn butter smooth thanks to the 4 bolt implement bearing spindles .

I’ve got to paint everything with Chevy Orange Engine paint & install spindle seals & dust caps.

Thank you for the photos.

That looks very good - it's good to have a buddy who can do quality machine shop etc. work like that!

I was also planning adding couple of small gussets on each arm at both ends, where the new steel meets the original steel.

Please keep us posted!

 

[Brown Dog]

YW @arto98607

Thanks for the support.

I was originally going to stack two or three pieces of the same size tubing & weld to get the correct height until my machine shop buddy suggested this 45° riser which I’m glad he did as it looks way better lol

He is working on 3/16 side plate gussets today.

 

[Brown Dog]

They are done I’ve got to go pick them up …..

 

[Doug Vee]

View attachment 875330
Mocked up to make sure Big 15” Tire would clear the Deck Before welding gusset plates on 1.5x2.5 tubing frames.
They are extended 4” longer & raised 7” taller.

View attachment 875335

View attachment 875337

These custom spindles are Super Beefy & turn butter smooth thanks to the 4 bolt implement bearing spindles .

I’ve got to paint everything with Chevy Orange Engine paint & install spindle seals & dust caps.

The new gauge wheel assembly looks like it will be bullet proof! I like it.

Doug

 

[Brown Dog]

It’s complete

I’m glad I have plenty of adjustment up front because I had to run left side of deck higher to make blades dead level measuring from concrete floor.

It mows great.

The ride isn’t that great with dry tires after mowing 4.5hrs non stop : they will all 4 be fluid filled asap.

It doesn’t like mowing horizontally on my steep bank at all on bone dry ground.

Slides downhill bad & unloads the upper front tire

It mows it up & down fine except for a few places it wouldn’t climb it.

 

[Brown Dog]

Notice the 3/8-24 bolts & jam nuts to lock down the 32mm shafts to reduce any slop since they’re pinned & don’t swivel

 

[Doug Vee]

I'll say it again- I like it!

 

[arto98607]

View attachment 875622View attachment 875621
It’s complete

I’m glad I have plenty of adjustment up front because I had to run left side of deck higher to make blades dead level measuring from concrete floor.

It mows great.

The ride isn’t that great with dry tires after mowing 4.5hrs non stop : they will all 4 be fluid filled asap.

It doesn’t like mowing horizontally on my steep bank at all on bone dry ground.

Slides downhill bad & unloads the upper front tire

It mows it up & down fine except for a few places it wouldn’t climb it.

I like the looks & quality of workmanship and appreciate the photos!

Mowing 4.5 hours nonstop is pushing it, I would take a few minute brake half way through?

The bank must be whole lot steeper than anything on my property sine I get by fine in 2-wheel drive and few years ago removed the rear driveshaft on purpose.

 

[Brown Dog]

Thanks.
My bank is steep
It takes 1-1.5hrs to mow it.

The 4.5hrs mowing yesterday was only about half of what I mow weekly

I need a ExMark 96” Batwing lol to replace my ZD1511-72 for my bigger open areas IF I had $$ to burn.

 

[LouNY]

I like the looks & quality of workmanship and appreciate the photos!

Mowing 4.5 hours nonstop is pushing it, I would take a few minute brake half way through?

The bank must be whole lot steeper than anything on my property sine I get by fine in 2-wheel drive and few years ago removed the rear driveshaft on purpose.

I am always switching in and out the rear wheel assist on my F2000 as it needs the 4wd often on my lawn.

 

[Brown Dog]

The rear diff must kindly assist when front wheels spins.
I hadn’t studied up on that Auto Assist 4wd Clutch Operation yet.

I know the front tires spins EXCESSIVELY when turning going slightly uphill

 

[Brown Dog]

I put a little over 2hrs on the F3710 this am getting it all dialed in.
I like it well but I still favor my ZD1511 ….. so far

 

[arto98607]

I put a little over 2hrs on the F3710 this am getting it all dialed in.
I like it well but I still favor my ZD1511 ….. so far

I realize you put the 15" gauge wheels to a brand new F mower deck, and perhaps did not get much experience running it with the original 9" wheels, but I would still like to ask your opinion:

Do you think the 15" gauge wheels help the ride quality of the F3710 noticeably on a reasonably level ground which has small bumps and "holes"?

IE. the up and down bouncing of the deck and it's effect on the rest of the mower?


When mowing my yard and sometimes the pasture, the F3060 ride quality is definitely affected by how the gauge wheels manage to find small dips & bumps in the ground causing the heavy deck go up and down, and back & forth if there was any slack in the linkage.

I am not talking about perfectly smooth front lawn here, but "reasonably smooth" yard out in the country.


Places like this:

 

[Brown Dog]

Yes sir the taller tires & heavier front end rides way better with less bouncing.
The deck doesn’t hop & bounce plus it’s quieter rolling over rough ground & tree roots etc.

Well worth the $$ I spent on it.

 

[arto98607]

Thank you, glad to hear!

As discussed earlier, I plan on modifying mine this coming winter and have all the parts except some tubing, which is easily available locally.