MMM Storage Wheels

[Av8r3400]

I agree, Junk. I've "only" got the 54" deck, but I have never had any problem moving it around under the tractor to get it hooked or unhooked. (now the PTO shaft /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif is another issue) This seems to be a fix for a non-problem in my opinion.

Hey, Junk since you're a man in the know, what is your trick for hooking up the PTO shaft on the deck or even worse the snowblower? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Tom_H]

Thank you for your candid opinions gentlemen. I do believe, IMHO, that this will actually be less work for me personally. I welcome honest differences of ideas. As far as </font><font color="blue" class="small">( ...and I am standing firm.)</font> though, I am just not sure what this is all about.

Interestingly, the MMM and mid-PTO <font color="red">are</font> quite easy to couple together for me. Gently, <font color="red">you</font> pull the collar back and ease the opening <font color="blue">a</font>nd shaft together. The secret to <font color="blue">man</font>aging this is to use very gentle finesse, not force, while easing <font color="blue">in</font>. With the slightest pressure, wiggle and rotate <font color="blue">the</font> slightest bit. Probe very gently. Do not rush or become impatient. Continue these movements. If it's not working, that means you're trying too hard, rather than not hard enough. Gentle probing, while feeling with great sensitivity as to where there is resistance and where there is not, will allow you to <font color="blue">know</font> exactly how you <font color="red">can</font> execute your forward movements. With light, precise, intentioned manipulation, <font color="red">you</font> don't even have to worry about adding anything beyond the <font color="blue">stand</font>ard lubrication. Before you know it, the shaft slips right up that recepticle and there is a complete and total connection; <font color="blue">firm</font>ly joined. Works for me every time, never a problem at all. I guess it's all in having the right touch, huh<font color="red">?</font> Some of us got it, some don't.

BTW, learning that right touch goes a long way toward reducing testiness, frustration, and stress in life.

Have a great day my friends! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[qqq]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Do you get all the lateral clearance you need or is there any problem with this? How much were they? )</font>
I can't remember the exact price, but they I think they were around six or seven bucks each, which is in line with the info you found at Constantine's. I thought they were kind of pricy at the time, but after having them and using them to move lots of stuff around, I'd gladly spend the money again.

As far as lateral clearance goes, that was one of the reasons I got them. I have a BX23 with the 60" deck and turf tires. After rotating the mower wheels 90 degrees, I couldn't just slide the deck straight out, perpendicular to the tractor. Like you mentioned earlier in this thread, you have to jockey it around some to get it to clear things.

These dollies aren't that much bigger than the mower wheels. I took one of the wheels off my deck, and have attached a picture looking down at it sitting in the dolly, and also looking across at it sitting in the dolly. As you can see, by the shot on the left, the footprint is only marginally bigger. And, since the tractor tires are round, there's more distance between them as you get closer to the ground. The shot on the right shows that the dollies sit nice and low where you get the most clearance between the tires.

I think I'll start a separate thread for FEL moving, since its a different topic than MMM wheels.

 

[RonR]

I'm not junkman, but my solution to hooking up the mid PTO is to get the deck under the BX, then pull the pto shaft apart and install the rear half to the BX. Make sure it is secure.

Then you have more room to finese the two parts to mate on the deck. It requires moving the deck fore/aft some, but seems do-able.

The other way I've done it is as above, only don't pull the shafts apart, but attach it as one piece.

For me, the key is hooking the pto first.........

ron

 

[qqq]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( what is your trick for hooking up the PTO shaft on the deck or even worse the snowblower?)</font>

I find the snowblower easier. See this thread for a description of what I do.

 

[vango]

I drilled out the top hole on the rear wheel height adjustment posts; then moved the front wheels to the newly drilled holes. Adjusted the rear height pin to the location giving the best center of gravity for the mower and it stands fine. Not sure I would want to roll it around too much but it works great for storage.

 

[Scrounger]

How about a picture of that.

 

[Archdean]

Very interesting concept!! Not sure I see it yet but will go look at mine to confirm what you are saying,
Thanks for the Idea!!
Dean

 

[Tom_H]

Yea, Vango, I'd like to see that too, even though Larry's storage wheels are on the way. I was able to envision what you described.

As far as manuvering wheels, I decided to try the Super-Dolly. Neither Home Depot nor Lowe's had them, but OSH did for $12/ea. so ordered from Constantine's for $7/ea. I'm hoping I might be able to drop the deck on them without even pulling any pins at all. Wouldn't that be a hoot /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif ?

If I'm not satisfied, I may try Junkman's suggestion of a dolly below the deck itself; just have to be sure there's vertical clearance. Another idea I pondered was using threaded stem 2" swivel casters in 1" hard oak dowel, homemade. Larry priced his little swivel device above at $99 for set of 4 with free S&H.

 

[vango]

Attached is MMM in upright storage position.