Mowing kubota RC60 - 24B mower deck

Anonymous Poster · Apr 26, 2001

When mowing on very soft sod, my mower tears up the sod. I'm sure there are adjustments to prevent this. My problem is I bot the tractor and mower used - and have no manual. Any advise on adjustments or finding manual?

Mikemas · Apr 27, 2001

Are you speaking of the blades scalping OR are the gauge wheels digging into the soft ground?

Mike

Anonymous Poster · Apr 27, 2001

The gauge wheels dig into the ground. The deck is set fairly high from the lawn.

bpence · Apr 27, 2001

I don't think there's much you can do until the ground gets a bit firmer. I have the same basic 60" deck on my B7100, and the deck runs on the guage wheels, meaning the guage wheels are supporting the full weight of the mower deck. If the ground is soft, they're going to sink in. Just have to wait a little longer until things dry out.

Bob Pence

cowboydoc · Apr 27, 2001

In my john deere manual it says that the gauge wheels are not supposed to support the whole weight of the mower deck. They are set so that when you go over uneven terrain it keeps the deck at the same mowing height. To adjust mine there is a knob under the driver's seat and then you can adjust the gauge wheels separately with a pin and cotter key.
I don't think that on even ground your gauge wheels should be digging in.

MJB · Apr 27, 2001

I agree with cowboydoc. I just set up the mower deck on my 4300 and the manual clearly states that the gauge wheels should be set so that they are about 1/4" to 1/2" off the ground when the tractor is parked on a flat and level surface and the deck is set at the desired cutting height. The wheels should only touch the ground when travelling over rough terrain. Hope this helps.

Fugitive from the Cubicle Police

Mikemas · Apr 27, 2001

I agree with the others that the mower deck should be supported from the tractor with a little assistance from the gauge wheels for uneven ground. There is a black sticker on the newer Kubota decks that gives the pin locations for all the gauge wheels and rollers for any desired height. I set up the RCK60 deck on my B2710 on my garage floor. Set your rollers and gauge wheels to the desired height, raise the deck sightly, and note the number of the three point position control. Then, set your lock nut for your position control so you can return to the same level every time. This will give you an excellent cut, and also hangs some weight under the tractor if stability on hills is an issue.
Good luck and good mowing,

Mike

Anonymous Poster · Apr 27, 2001

This has been so helpful. Last year I had nothing but trouble cutting up the lawn with the full weight of the mower on the gauge wheels. I didn't even realize there was a lock nut to assure lowering the deck to the same position each time. Thanks!! Guess I'll go out and start mowing (southern Michigan)

bpence · Apr 27, 2001

I don't know guys. I checked the manual on my RC 60 deck and the guage wheels are the height adjustment. All references to height adjustment are made with the wheels on the ground, not suspended. May be worth a call to a local Kubota dealer to see how the particular deck sets up with your tractor. My B7100 - 1995 vintage is clear about the guage wheels carrying the weight of the deck.....they've also got zirc fittings on the wheels and the shafts. When I first bought mine I called the original selling dealer, asked about the guage wheels, and was told they roll on the ground and be sure to keep things greased. Maybe newer Kubota mid-mount decks are suspended differently.

I also have a JD 316 with a 50" deck, and that one is adjusted so the guage wheels are about 3/8" off the floor. Instructions were also really clear that the deck is set up that way.

Bob Pence