KK Landscape rake doesn't fit a BX24?

[bp fick]

Be careful what attachments you buy for your BX. The 3pt. hitch is smaller in every way than a normal cat1 3 pt. See my tyraid above. Talk to your dealer and ask him detailed questions about the length, width and height of your tractors 3pt. If you are looking to buy a KK landscape rake, then buy the XB series. They were specifically designed for SCUT with cat1 pins and catO spacing for the 3pt. (Which is a direct quote off their sales brouchure)

When I bought my BX, my dealer was very upfront about the limitations of the 3 pt on the tractor. He referred to it as essentially a Cat 0 with Cat 1 pins. I was not the least bit offended by his description of it, and now 28 hours of hard work later, frankly agree with the thought behind his comment. I am 58 years old and don't have a blessed macho bone left to rattle in my body, so I smile when I read over and over on here about the big, mean, and nasty implements that guys are using on their BXs. That's fine. It's their money, their tractors and they are big boys.

The "problem" with most XB marketed implements is that they are as expensive as their larger counterparts, but usually not as well made. The second issue, and boy, this will open a can of worms, but Kubota isn't much help on this issue. They call the BX a Cat 1. No asterisk. Period.

Plus, they keep upping the horse power, playing that marketing game. Again, I have my flak jacket and asbestos suit on, but this aggravates things somewhat as well. How? By having more and more power on the same 3 pt geometry. A guy now has 26 hp so he "thinks" bigger implements and frankly, might just tear up the light weight stuff they pass off as XB implements too much of time. Perhaps you see the issue?

Finally, judging by what I read here on the forum, my friend, you may have preached a good sermon on this Sunday morning, and I say, AMEN, but I suspect you are tilting at windmills.

Best wishes

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I'm thinking about putting a King Kutter landscape rake on my Christmas list, but I came across this comment about it (below). I don't really give it much credence, considering the person who wrote it doesn't come off as the most intelligent person around. But, it still made me pause to ask here. Does a 60" KK landscape rake fit the 3pt on a BX24?


(From King Kutter Landscape Rake 60in., Model# YR-60 | Disc Harrows + Rakes | Northern Tool + Equipment )

Back to original post question. Yes, it will fit because I have one and it fits or has for the past 6 years. My previous answer expounded a bit and gave some limitations. The Landscape rake does not have a drive shaft so that's not a consideration. It fits, I have one and have used it for years on my BX's. Now for those that want to cover all the possible questions and answers that can possibly be mentioned concerning BX 3ph, go ahead and don't be concerned about the original question and again, yes, it fits, I have one and have used it on BX's with some limitations previously mentioned.

 

[RayCo]

Thanks to everyone for all the feedback.

Plus, they keep upping the horse power, playing that marketing game. Again, I have my flak jacket and asbestos suit on, but this aggravates things somewhat as well. How? By having more and more power on the same 3 pt geometry. A guy now has 26 hp so he "thinks" bigger implements and frankly, might just tear up the light weight stuff they pass off as XB implements too much of time. Perhaps you see the issue?

This sums up my concerns the best. It seems that looking at the size of my tractor, category 0 sized implements would be more appropriate, but the mismatch of power to size makes me fear that I'll break things more easily. It feels like a lose-lose situation, either get something that is not best dimensionally fitted for my tractor or get something that isn't strong enough.

The info about not being able to lift the KK rake up high enough is cause for concern for me, since the only flat area on my property is my basement floor.

 

[rdsaustintx]

Went and looked and my rake is a KK XB. It's built the same, just smaller. And painted the right color

Not specific to the rake, but I found it to be MUCH more useful after installing gage wheels.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Went and looked and my rake is a KK XB. It's built the same, just smaller. And painted the right color

Not specific to the rake, but I found it to be MUCH more useful after installing gage wheels.

I believe the gauge wheels would fix the issue with the "reguler" KK landscape by lifting it off the ground when dips are encountered but I'm sure the XB is a rugged rake and would be better suited to BX's than the non XB model. If your land isn't level then go for the XB for sure to prevent the lift highth issue. My boxblade is an XB model and it's rugged.

 

[Couple of Achers]

Thanks to everyone for all the feedback.




This sums up my concerns the best. It seems that looking at the size of my tractor, category 0 sized implements would be more appropriate, but the mismatch of power to size makes me fear that I'll break things more easily. It feels like a lose-lose situation, either get something that is not best dimensionally fitted for my tractor or get something that isn't strong enough.

The info about not being able to lift the KK rake up high enough is cause for concern for me, since the only flat area on my property is my basement floor.

You are not it a lose lose situation. The attachments designed for the scut are not built out of any lighter materials than the ones built for the regular size cat1 hitch. They are just built with the geometry of the 3pt that will function properly on your tractor.

 

[Couple of Achers]

I believe the gauge wheels would fix the issue with the "reguler" KK landscape by lifting it off the ground when dips are encountered but I'm sure the XB is a rugged rake and would be better suited to BX's than the non XB model. If your land isn't level then go for the XB for sure to prevent the lift highth issue. My boxblade is an XB model and it's rugged.

I am a firm believer in gauge wheels on a landscape rake. But in this situation, they would not help. The problem isn't so much while you are dragging the rake around while it's on the ground. It is when fully lifted it is only about 5" off the ground. So the problem is when the rake is fully lifted and you encounter a hill or valley the rake digs into the ground. Gauge wheels are designed to lift the attachement to maiintain level by lifting the lower lift arms. Sine the lift arms would already be fully in the raised position, there would be no place to go. So you would be putting the entire rear weight of the tractor on the gauge wheels. And something is going to give.
The best advice I can give anyone here, is buy attachments designed for your scut. Most manufacturers have a complete line of equipment specially designed for the limited cat1 hitch geometry of the scut. I've lived it, I've suffered through it. You will not be dissappointed if you buy what was designed to work on your tractor. Seat time is suppose to be fun. You don't need a bunch of headaches using something that "kind of" works on your tractor.

 

[fish6942]

I use a full size cat1 back blade from KK on my BX2350. I've never measured it but I'd guess the blade is a good 18"-24" off the ground when it's fully raised. I realize you are asking about the KK landscape rake but I'd guess they would be similar in these respects.

As was mentioned above, you may also need a longer top link to fully cover the desired range of travel for blade angle.

 

[Couple of Achers]

I use a full size cat1 back blade from KK on my BX2350. I've never measured it but I'd guess the blade is a good 18"-24" off the ground when it's fully raised. I realize you are asking about the KK landscape rake but I'd guess they would be similar in these respects.

As was mentioned above, you may also need a longer top link to fully cover the desired range of travel for blade angle.

No they are not. It really depends on each individual attachment. Some may work, some may not, some kind of work. To me it's not worth the guessing game, or having to measure each item before purchasing it. Unless of course you are buying something used, then by all means measure twice and buy once.

 

[Couple of Achers]

Thanks to everyone for all the feedback.




This sums up my concerns the best. It seems that looking at the size of my tractor, category 0 sized implements would be more appropriate, but the mismatch of power to size makes me fear that I'll break things more easily. It feels like a lose-lose situation, either get something that is not best dimensionally fitted for my tractor or get something that isn't strong enough.

The info about not being able to lift the KK rake up high enough is cause for concern for me, since the only flat area on my property is my basement floor.

RayCo, one other thing I want to assure you of. You are not in a lose lose situation. You couldn't be in any better situation. You have a tractor that will give you years of service. It continues to amaze me what these little things are capable of. You have a lot of manufactures now building full lines of attachments for you to choose from. You you also have the experience of old guys like me on this site that have already been through the situation you are now experiencing. You have already done the right thing by posting your questions on this site. Now it is obvious that opinions vary on this matter. There is probably no one issue that has been argued more on here than the limited cat1 hitch/scut issue. It is up to you to read as much as you can on the subject, talk to the dealers, and gather as much information as you can. Only you can decide what is right for you and then you can take the info and make a informed decision before buying. So don't get depressed or get down on yourself over this. Owning a tractor should be an enjoyable situation. Seat time is fun time. Good luck on this decision and future ones as well.