Gravely mower to BCS conversion

Eric_Phillips · Aug 24, 2008

Anyone try to convert a gravely mower to a BCS machine? I understand the PTOs rotate in the opposite directions. I have access to a gravely mower but it is 4.5 hrs away so I am trying to find out if it is worth driving down to pickup. I know the mower came off a 1975 split block gravely and I have a 715 MCS. Any thoughts on making this conversion?

js5020 · Aug 24, 2008

Yes the rotation is different,,, the attachment point is different,,, the driving dog is different,,, and possibly the implement speed may be different,, and the height of the output shaft is probably different. But even with all that being said,,,, with enough time, determination, and money anything can be made to work. I'm sure BCS does not reccomend a 30" mower for that machine,, I took a look at BCS America and they only reccomend a 20" mower for a 718 model. To each his own,,, but I think you would be further ahead getting the right mower for the machine,, watch ebay, craigslist, ect.

farmerboybill · Aug 24, 2008

Hi Eric,

You should also consider the speed and turning options your 715 offers. I have a 38 inch BCS deck on a 715 and am looking for something faster with turning brakes like a 604, 735, 737, 830, or 850. You will only have a speed of 1.4 mph - a slow walk. It will also be a bear to steer as the wheels are always engaged.. I have the free wheel devices on my 715 and it makes it easier to steer, but the slow walk is almost unbearable and going down hill is dangerous as the whole machine free wheels down the slope. Power isn't a problem. My 8hp Kohler runs it fine.

Eric_Phillips · Aug 24, 2008

It sounds like I would be better off trying to get the gravely back running instead of adapting the mower. I am not too worried about speed. I only need it to maintain some ditches that are too steep for my tractor. The wife doesn't want both machines but I have a tiller for the MCS and the gravely has a mower, plough, sulky, and grading blade. I guess it might be worth my while to pull the trailer down and pick it all up. Even if I can't get the gravely running I might be able to sell the implements to pay for a mower for the BCS.

FredWalter · Aug 27, 2008

From my notes:

- BCS tractors, the PTO shaft turns clockwise when you are facing it,
whether you are going in a foreward gear, or in a reverse gear
- 990 RPM at full throttle

- Yahoo! Groups
- The PTO on a Gravely turns counter-clockwise when viewed from the
front (same direction as the engine).

- Yahoo! Groups
- the PTO is doing 1300 RPM in high gear and 937 RPM in low gear
- The center of the Model L's PTO shaft is about 11 1/2 inches off
the ground with 16x6.50-8 turf tires. It will vary a bit depending
on tire size and type

If you buy a BCS spline-to-3-dog-adaptor, then if you had access to a machine shop, you could make a direct-drive adaptor from the BCS-3-dog to Gravely-clutch. The PTO speeds are close enough to not matter. For some things the PTO rotating in the opposite direction won't be a problem (sicklebar mower), but for a mower you'd need to grind a cutting edge on the back side of the mower blade.

js5020 · Aug 27, 2008

Well I purposely failed to mention that the Gravely "brush" mowers could be had as a right or left,,,, the older mowers with the kinda square gearbox/4 bolt mount to the deck were left hand rotation and the newer ones were right hand rotation/6 bolt mount to the deck, these were also known as a model 106. So with that said you if you got a 106 right hand mounted to the tractor you could put a left hand blade on it.

oldmech · Aug 28, 2008

Hi! For help you. I plan use my Gravely implements as 30 in. rotary mower etc on My new Grillo 107D . Front PTO Rotation is the same as Gravely. I want start my adaptor from a GRILLO Quick coupling for good clutch alignement. But I Think my Plan design can help you for make BCS adaptor. I join a Pic. Thank and Good luck! Oldmech