Easy BX23 60" MMM Removal / Installation

[Island]

Easy BX23 60\" MMM Removal / Installation

Taking the advice of fellow posters I recently procured four three wheel casters. The antiscalp wheels fit perfectly into the caster recess allowing removal and installation of the MMM without swiveling the antiscalp wheels! I was able to position, install, and remove the MMM with extreme ease, without the need to raise the front of the BX23 via the loader.

Two functions of the installation and removal remained a little tricky, installation of the drive shaft (based on the height of the antiscalp wheels plus the added height of the casters) must be accomplished in a slightly more confined area, during removal of the MMM (shifting the deck angularly, quite easy with the casters) from under the BX the drive shaft must be positioned on the deck so as not to interfere with tire clearance.

The addition of the casters has made removal and installation of the MMM a task I no longer tread, additionally after its removal while sitting in the casters I no longer have to drag the MMM around it moves with very little effort in any direction I choose.

Cheers John

 

[aardvark]

Re: Easy BX23 60\" MMM Removal / Installation

Ah, I've been working on a much more complicated solution, but I think I'm going to drop it in favor of what you posted. Where did you get the casters from? Any other relevant info? I'm going to go check Northern's website now, as I have to order some other stuff from them.

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

Re: Easy BX23 60\" MMM Removal / Installation

John,

Did you pull the pins on the casters so they are at the lowest position, or did you leave it at the normal cutting height?

 

[qqq]

Re: Easy BX23 60\" MMM Removal / Installation

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Where did you get the casters from? Any other relevant info?)</font>
I'm using "Super Dollies". This post from a couple months back has a picture of them. I got them at Home Depot, but I'm sure they're available at other places too. I also use them for moving around the FEL (in conjuction with a furniture dolly).

 

[qqq]

Re: Easy BX23 60\" MMM Removal / Installation

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Did you pull the pins on the casters so they are at the lowest position, or did you leave it at the normal cutting height?)</font>
I noticed this blurb in John's message </font><font color="blue" class="small">( without swiveling the antiscalp wheels!)</font>, and took that to mean that he's not pulling the pins.

I haven't put the mower deck on yet this season, but probably will soon. Last year, I was pulling the pins and dropping the deck to its lowest height. I was thinking about parking the tractor on a couple of pieces of wood to get a little more height, so I wouldn't have to pull the pins and lower the wheels. I thought I tried it with the wheels at their normal cutting height, but I'll have to try that again this year. Either way, my goal is to just drop the deck in the dollies and go, and to not have to pull any pins, and I think I'm almost there.

 

[Island]

Re: Easy BX23 60\" MMM Removal / Installation

I did not pull the pins or change from my normal cutting height, simply lowered the deck onto the casters.

TSC and Lowes both had the three wheel casters, Lowes was slightly cheaper.

Again, I could not be more pleased with the way this worked for me.

Cheers John