Dumb question (?) BX grass catcher

[sea2summit]

Searching grass catcher for the BX here I've found some pretty unhappy posts:confused2:

Does/why doesn't anyone make a 3 pt grass catcher for the BX? Why/why not?

 

[pncmathias]

I have the factory one on my Bx 23 and it is great! Just don't expect it to P/U soaking wet grass.

Paul

 

[bxkubota]

They made one style for the bx1500, 1800, 1830, 2200, 2230, bx22, bx23 and a new style for the bx1850, 1860, 2350, 2360, bx24, and bx25. I have one from bx1500 that I retrofit to my bx25 with the help of fellow tbner's.

 

[bxkubota]

Model number is gck60-bx and gck60-23bx if I remember correctly.

 

[dennisgw]

I picked up my Kubota bagger (barely used) at my dealer for my BX2200. It's great. Wouldn't be without it. I've gotten much better at mounting and unmounting over the years.

 

[sea2summit]

Thanks, guess I missunderstood. Thought they where all frame mounted.

 

[keyman1808]

The newer models mount to the frame. The older ones the 3PH. I have the newer version and I like it alot. Once you mount and dismount a few times its easy. Heavy wet grass can clog it so dont let it get too tall. About the only unit I liked better was the cyclone rake vac but thats real big to be towing around all the time while mowing.

 

[Ralphie]

I need help. Anyone with a gck60-23bx, please tell me how the duct attaches to the mower deck. I bought a used catcher from the dealer who sold me my BX25. I finally got the adapter kit last week and tried to attach this weekend. After some effort the catcher is on the tractor but for the life of me I can not determine how to attached the duct to the deck. There isn't even a mention of attaching in the grass catcher manual?? Thanks in advance!

 

[dennisgw]

I think a lot will depend on which adapter (boot kit) you got. I have a BX2200 but I don't think it should make that much difference. The deck deflector on mine is metal. I got the heavy duty boot which as part of the assembly has a hinged part. You lift the deflector up on the deck and slide the hinged part of the boot which will have 2 slots. There is a wing bolt which passes through the deflector and screws into hinged part (there is a welded nut). BUT, the big IF, is this the style of boot you have. I am also attaching a pdf file which shows a lighter duty boot which attaches differently and uses a rubber strip with hook to attach. If you have the boot with the hinged portion that attached to the deflector then I can sendyou some additional pictures. I am currently using mine this fall to pick up leaves and everything is assembled.

View attachment GCK60BXParts Mower and Catcher.pdf

 

[Ralphie]

Thanks for the parts list and the picture. As soon as it get's light I am going to take another look. The boot I got seems larger and has a window on the top side. The two components that I could not determine appear to be the same as those shown on the exploded view in the parts list. I don't remember mounting holes in the boot. I will know in 30 minutes or so. Thanks for the response it is very helpful.

Unfortunately the components didn't match. Still at a loss...

 

[GolfAddict]

The brackets mount directly to the deck using existing holes in the deck. Hopefully these pictures can help.

The first couple are the back side bracket. On mine, bolted right into existing holes on the deck.


The front side bracket also used two existing holes, but on the bottom lip of the deck. The additional bolt you see toward the inside of the deck is attaching the inside-the-deck baffle thing that directs the clippings into the back side of the boot.


Inner baffle thing.

 

[dennisgw]

Now that's an interesting variation. I see you have the plastic clippings deflector on the deck. I do see a hole on the deck to the left of the exit. I also see a metal part on the exit of the boot that looks like it might line up with the hole in the deck and implies a pin might go through the part and into the rear of the deck. This would keep the boot attached on one end at least????? do they line up? Not sure what the other part on the top leading edge of the boot is? Is that metal? No rubber strap to hook it to the front of the deck? Plastic window to see if your chute is plugged????? Interesting. Dealer claims this will fit your deck????

 

[dennisgw]

I think I prefer my mounting system. But it all makes sense now. I didn't see your response GolfAddict before posting mine.

 

[GolfAddict]

Yes, they are definitely different styles - no idea why...

 

[Ralphie]

Thanks for the input. I am going to have to check with the dealer. I mounted the boot onto the deck using two rubber straps to hold it into place. The grass catcher worked well even thought it got plugged a few times and I needed to empty often. Given I left the grass go a little longer I am quite pleased. Now if I could get it mounted properly. As I mentioned I bought this used from my dealer. Your input has been very helpful. It appears the front bracket is bent severely and oddly the two holes on the bracket do NOT align with the holes on the desk. They are off by about 1/8". I attached the rear bracket based on the pictures you attached. Thanks! As shown, when the boot is "placed" onto the deck as it best fits the bracket and boot do not line up? I noticed the boot appears to have been cut and maybe the previous owner modified to fit their deck. I appreciate your time. It helped validate I was not completely off the wall. Another option may be for me to modify the boot but I want to do this as a last resort.

 

[dennisgw]

Do you not have the inside the deck baffle that GolfAddict indicated in one of his pictures? Your boot has the hole for it. I gather it extends beyond the deck frame itself. Between that and the rear pin you really should not need your rubber straps. I remember way back when i got mine that there was an internal baffle plate but I never got a good answer from the dealer if I needed it or not. Have run 9 years without it. Yes, if you get long wet grass it will be more fun than short dry grass. Leaves can also plug up but if they are dry, no problem. If anything long twiggy things are what cause me the most grief. BUT still a nice way to collect grass and leaves...........beats raking.

 

[GolfAddict]

I took a few more pictures. I think it should work, but I noticed a couple of things. Looking back at your picture where you show the parts, it does look like the front bracket is bent at the end with the bolts. The bolt end should be flat, not curved up where the bolts are.

The back bracket I think you have bolted on correctly. This one is kind of blurry, but I believe it compares to where you mounted yours.


The front bracket bolts on the bottom lip of the deck, the second and third holes in, but it should be flat under there - yours looks like it is bent. Perhaps you can mount it, then crank it down (unbend) so it sticks out straight. For now, ignore that orange metal baffle insert in the deck. That bolts on totally separate and doesn't come into play at all in putting the boot on.

Note that first hole isn't used, next two holes are for the bracket, other holes for the baffle thing.


Here the boot is just off the brackets. Notice how that front bracket sticks way forward, parallel plane to the deck - I think if you bolt yours on it will curve back toward the deck. But if you go ahead and bolt it on (it goes under the mower lip, bolts through the lip) I think you can just step on it or something to bend it down flat.


And then attached with the pin in the back and pin in the front. The front of the boot fits into that space between the deck and bracket sticking out there and slide the pin down through.


On your original picture of the parts, I didn't see the orange metal baffle thing. This bolts onto the deck, again in existing holes, and narrows the opening of the shoot so that the clippings go into the rear part of the boot. Without that, I think you are just filling up that front section but most must be exiting through the back open section and on through the tube. I think you should have that baffle though, as it will direct the clippings better the direction they should go. It will probably give you better suction from the PTO fan on the back as well - I'm sure it's all engineered for that. It may not clog as easily...

 

[GolfAddict]

I realized I've never asked - which deck do you have? What I've been telling you is how it works on my 54" deck...

 

[Ralphie]

I have the 60" deck which may be part of the problem. I have removed the baffle inside the boot. I was experimenting to see if I could get it to engage the deck more fully. My deck does not have a deflector on the deck shoot. There appears to be a mounting hole for one. I guess this is what I get for trying to save a few dollars and buying a used one. It was in excellent shape and claimed to be only used once. I suspect the one time the previous owner may have hit something and decided it wasn't worth it. I can't see how the front bracket would be bent otherwise. It worked great with my kludged assembly. If I can get it figured out it should be nice with the leaves once they fall.

 

[BobG116]

IT'S too bad you live so far away as I have the GCK60-BX grass catcher for sale. I recently purchased a tow behind Cyclone and really like it. I initally paid $1647.00 for it and I am asking $1100.00 or a good offer. I purchased it new in March 2005 and used it for five (5) years. There's nothing wrong with it and I just got tired of man handling it. Everybody has a reason for doing what they do.