Do you take your 2360 into the bush with the belly mower?

[BigOrangeTN]

I am running a Woods 48 inch rotary mower behind me for mowing the lower four acres and took the 60 inch finishing belly mower off (that I use for mowing around the house) thinking I would protect it from bad and evil things in the field. But it occurs to me that I have lowered the weight in balancing that rotary mower on the back and also lost any protection to the 2360's underneath blumbing and wireing. What do you guys do and do you think it best to keep the belly mower on?

 

[PeterK]

I run BXpanded Armour ($150) when the MMM is off, especially with the rotary cutter (mine is KK 48" on BX24). Takes less than a minute to install and offers great protection from sticks and twigs, and worth the peace of mind IMO.

Before the Underamour, I used the MMM as a shield but it's MUCH better with it off. No more clunking, getting caught up on things, pushed up by rocks, etc.

 

[unbidden]

I run a 48" in the woods/trails on my BX2660 as well; just installed the BXpanded Armour rather than having to mow everything in reverse as to avoid shattering the hst fan.

 

[TripleR]

No way without a MMM before I got Bro Tek and even with MMM a stick can get through as I had to replace the fan on my BX2200 because of it.

 

[zoltanthegypsy]

I run a 48" in the woods/trails on my BX2660 as well; just installed the BXpanded Armour rather than having to mow everything in reverse as to avoid shattering the hst fan.

I lost the radiator fan and wiring harness to tall grass when backing up w/a 42" Rankin behind the BX24. Oh, and the front pinion seal

These days I run all _3_ Bro-tek plates and a home-made front shaft seal protector.

(Long way of saying mowing in reverse may not be such a good idea...)

Z.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I've had some BXs and never took the MMM off and never had a fan break as far as I know. I'd leave it on unless your hitting solid objects with it as you go and if it's raised as high as it goes and you are hitting stuff you need to trade your BX to a B.

 

[Danner]

I use the UnderArmor plate on my BX2660 when I mount the LandPride 48 mower/shredder. I also leave the FEL on to balance the machine better.

 

[BigOrangeTN]

Thanks all. Based on all this input I've rethought taking the MMM off and put it back on again and suspect that is the way it should be for my use. I'll set it to the top setting when rotary mowing the bush. (you know, the first time you put that belly mower back on there are all sort of tricks you need to learn, like how to line up things just exactly right, like the driveshaft was a bugger taking some thirty minutes to connect and some fussing and other choice and appropriate sounds until I figured out I was not lining it up straight and did not realize it while lying flat on my back, arm reaching round the back tire and over the mower while trying to keep the work lite trained up in there instead of in my eyes):confused3:


P.s. Oh, and don't even think about pushing the MMM up toward the front tires to get more room to see what is keeping you from lining up the driveshaft with the PTO because then the driveshaft splits in two pieces and then you need to adjust the worklight so you can put that back together which took a bit of study before I could match up the two ends.

"It's hard to remember your original objective was to drain the swamp when you find you're up to your *** in alligators."

 

[rbarker]

Thanks all. Based on all this input I've rethought taking the MMM off and put it back on again and suspect that is the way it should be for my use. I'll set it to the top setting when rotary mowing the bush. (you know, the first time you put that belly mower back on there are all sort of tricks you need to learn, like how to line up things just exactly right, like the driveshaft was a bugger taking some thirty minutes to connect and some fussing and other choice and appropriate sounds until I figured out I was not lining it up straight and did not realize it while lying flat on my back, arm reaching round the back tire and over the mower while trying to keep the work lite trained up in there instead of in my eyes):confused3:

P.s. Oh, and don't even think about pushing the MMM up toward the front tires to get more room to see what is keeping you from lining up the driveshaft with the PTO because then the driveshaft splits in two pieces and then you need to adjust the worklight so you can put that back together which took a bit of study before I could match up the two ends.

"It's hard to remember your original objective was to drain the swamp when you find you're up to your *** in alligators."

LOL! I feel your pain BigO! It does get easier after you've done it a few times, though. Gotta agree separating the drive shaft is a real pain to rematch while laying under the tractor.

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

 

[PeterK]

I have never had a problem with the MMM on my BX. Although my brother fights his on his BX. Takes me 5 minutes tops.

Roll the mower deck it under the tractor. Reach under and connect the MMM driveshaft FIRST. There is really no need to crawl UNDER the tractor, just reach under, pull back to lock ring and push the shaft on with one hand. There's much more play to get it aligned and nothing in your way if you connect the PTO this way. Also make sure the the mid PTO is disengaged - this is so you can rotate it a little if needed. Finally drop the lift arms and connect them, and then the front bracket. Lift enough to rotate the guide wheels back to normal position and Bob's your uncle.