MMM Storage Wheels

[Tom_H]

A few weeks ago I saw a photo attached to a post which showed a "Bota MMM standing on its side with 2 sets of 4 tiny casters ganged together like the rear wheels of a commercial aircraft. Each set was mounted to a brass post and placed where the shaft for each rear wheel normally goes on the MMM. The MMM could obviously be rolled to a storage position and location which takes up much less space. I asked my dealer's parts dept. about this. He said they must be aftermarket. I cannot now find the post. Does anyone know in which thread this post is located, where these wheels are available, and how much they cost?

Also, a year or two ago, there was a long thread about freely pivoting casters which could be put on the MMM prior to dropping and disconnecting, so that it could roll in any direction while disattached. If I remember correctly, the discussion was about how to build your own. Does anyone know whether such wheels now exist for retail purchase? If so, where and how much?

 

[gsxr1100]

http://www.moweraxle.com/pages/1/index.htm

 

[Junkman]

Here is a picture of what you are looking for...

 

[Tom_H]

Thanks guys, I just ordered the storage wheels. Do you have any info. on freely pivoting casters which allow the MMM to roll in any direction while disattached?

 

[boustany]

The MMM will fall over if the castors swivel at all because of the high center of gravity and narrow wheel base.

I made my own set up like the photo using a couple short pieces of axel and some 7/8 rod and some cheap wheels. When I do it again I'll use the axel and, basically, a 7/8 OD pipe or a bushing or something.

I am also working on the design of a proper dolly that stores upright, but allow you to move the MMM flat for installation.

 

[Tom_H]

I would use the swivel wheels only when disattaching for a brief period, not when I want to store upright. Since I already have to pull the pins and rotate the shaft each time I attach or disattach, I figure I might as well slip in something that swivels so it's easier to roll the MMM around under the tractor. Since I do it on very smooth concrete it isn't too bad, but it takes a little time. I leave the tractor in neutral and have to push it backwards and forward several times while pushing the MMM sideways a little at a time. I also have to make the MMM wheels slide a little so the tractor and MMM are no longer quite perpendicular. This leaves black streaks on the concrete. I don't like doing this to the wheel or concrete. Swivel casters would make it possible to push the MMM in any direction within the plane of the floor and it would just be faster and easier to move the thing around.

When I sharpen the blades on the MMM, I need to get it aloft. I have an electric hoist suspended from my garage trusses (weight distributed along several trusses by suspending from long steel pipe). I use this to lift quite a few things including the MMM for blade removal. I would probably use it for those times when I want to put the storage wheels on and leave the MMM off for awhile.

 

[Tom_H]

Larry at moweraxle is now exploring the possibility of building such a swivel caster for MMMs.

 

[Volfandt]

I've got a set of the moweraxles and they work out pretty good for me. The mower takes up much less space and can easily be moved around. Also makes the changing of the blades or fall/winter cleanup of the deck very easy. I use the FEL to lift it for changing out the wheels and it only takes a few minutes.

Volfandt

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

Vol,

The next thing you need from Larry is his grease fittings on the deck wheels. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Wow is that deck clean. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[Junkman]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Vol,

.....................

Wow is that deck clean. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif )</font>

No..... it is either new or has been totally reconditioned.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Volfandt]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Wow is that deck clean. )</font>
You know it brother, I likes to keep the eqt field-day clean /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Course, since it's brand spanking new, never having yet tasted the battle of the fescue, just may have alittle to do with it also... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I may be checking out those greasable deck wheels. It's gonna be a kinda wait-&-see on how the OEM's last. I generally finish mow little over 2 acres weekly so I should find out pretty fast.

Those storage wheels are the ticket.

Volfandt

 

[Junkman]

If you wait till you see how the originals last, you will be purchasing another set to have grease fittings installed. This is why the modification came about... the wheels wear out quickly. Been there.... done that.... now have grease-able wheels. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

What I did was send the wheel shafts to Larry. He drilled and tapped the shaft with a grease fitting, and sent them back, worked great. Another cheaper option for you.

 

[Junkman]

mine just started to show wear and I got them off to Larry as soon as he announced that he was making the modification. They were able to be saved, but if they had worn any more, it would have been replacement time for them. I am very satisfied with his work and highly recommend him.

 

[qqq]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I would use the swivel wheels only when disattaching for a brief period, not when I want to store upright. )</font>
I too wanted something that would allow the mower deck to move in any direction, as it makes it so much easier to slide it in and out from under the tractor, and to hook up the PTO. Attached is a picture of the solution I'm using. I picked up four of these "Super Dolly" casters at home depot. I just pull the pins on the four wheels, put a super dolly under each wheel, and lower the deck. Then after I unhook stuff, its a breeze to slide out from under the tractor. Even better, when putting the deck back on, it slides easily in any direction, so I can line things up for the PTO connection without any hassle.

I'm also using two of the super dollies for moving the FEL around. I'll post some pictures of that soon.

Hope this helps, these things have worked out really well for me.

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I'm also using two of the super dollies for moving the FEL around. I'll post some pictures of that soon. )</font>

Please post a picture and let us know how they work on the FEL. How much are they at Depot?

 

[Tom_H]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I picked up four of these "Super Dolly" casters at home depot. I just pull the pins on the four wheels, put a super dolly under each wheel, and lower the deck. Then after I unhook stuff, its a breeze to slide out from under the tractor. Even better, when putting the deck back on, it slides easily in any direction, so I can line things up for the PTO connection without any hassle.)</font>

Larry and I have both been doing searches on casters and both had decided to go with a threaded stem caster into a steel rod. I just finished e-mailing him. I have to say, these little dollies may be an even more practical solution. Do you get all the lateral clearance you need or is there any problem with this? How much were they?

How hard is it to position them under the FEL while disattaching? To what degree is it easier to reallign the FEL while reattaching? Please post the photos of them under the FEL.

 

[Tom_H]

homedepot.com didn't have Super Dolly listed, but it is available at Constantine's, on sale, the 6" size for for $5.55 each (correct size for MMM) and the 12" for $11.95. For those of you who do woodworking and are not familiar with Constantine's, you might enjoy browsing around.

 

[Tom_H]

O.K. Here's what Larry has as a demonstrator so far. This is from pieces he already had laying around. This wheel is 1 5/8" dia. We would use either 2" dia. (rated for 100 lb. ea.) or 3" dia. (rated for 125 lb. ea.). He hasn't determined a cost yet.

Since you already have to pull both pins on each wheel during attaching or disattaching, you'd just pull them on out and slip 4 of these in so the MMM would roll freely. This would not be for use while mowing nor for upright storage, just for easy manuvering around while not in use.

So Larry can know if there's much market for this, if you think this is something you might be interested in, please post. Opinions for changes/improvements are welcome.

 

[Junkman]

I am the original gadget guy and I wouldn't even consider something like this. It is enough of a nuisance to just turn the wheels, and removing them to install this device just to roll it under the tractor in my mind isn't worth the effort. Others might disagree, but that is my opinion and I am standing firm. If anything, I might consider a dolly that slips under the entire mower deck first. At least with a dolly, you can hook up the deck and then lift it and pull the dolly out from under it. I would want a device that eliminated additional work, not one that creates additional work to use it.. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif