Mowing possible belly mower problem

[Mahlon]

I still don't get it... why is (apparently) everyone but me having trouble installing/removing their MMM from their BX?
I have ABSOLUTELY no trouble doing this on my BX2200 / 54" MMM combination. Is there something unique about, say, the backhoe subframe on the BX22/BX23 that interferes with doing any of this? Is the 60" deck more or less hassle?

Don't think the PTO spline socket (mates up with the transmission PTO shaft) on the MMM's PTO drive shaft is keyed. But I do think the two halves of the PTO drive shaft mate up only one way; this makes the two joints line up, minimizing driveline vibration. But you shouldn't have to take the shaft apart to mount/dismount the mower (I certainly don't). Why do some of you have to do this? It's just more work. When I remove the deck I just disconnect the shaft from the transmission PTO shaft & then lay it down on top of the deck, outboard of the left-side lift bracket. It's never been in the way of anything.

Mallets on pivoting/rotating shafts = galled/brinnelled bearings. I have never had to use any sort of tool to install/remove the PTO shaft or the MMM links in front or the MMM drag links.

Are you installing the front links correctly? The adjustment nuts go in front (not in back in the MMM brackets), concave side up. The lever with the handle is installed with the handle on the left, lock pin on the right. Mine's never vibrated out of the tractor or mower and I beat the ***** out of my machine. Is your deck height adjusted properly? Front/back, left/right? May make the front links loose, encouraging them to pop out.

Now, if the metal plates on the handle bracket bind against the tractor frame, I'd say that there has been a tolerance stack-up and Kubota should replace the part with one that fits the frame.

Please excuse me for what appears to be venting/ranting; I'm really not. Just trying to understand why this is so difficult for some of you. I wanna help, really I do.

regards,

Mahlon

ps: Having said all of this, I do wish that I had a second elbow in my left arm; would make connecting/disconnecting the MMM PTO drive shaft a lot easier!

 

[milkman]

/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
thread started out with problem with the latch mechanism that holds the front of the mower i think?????? then mallet for pto connection, then splines that only go on one way???
I'm gettin a headache /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[milkman]

Seems to be one of the few defects in the BX23.



I don't think the defect is with the BX23, I noticed you can spell the county you live in, you won't have a problem with a little old mower deck. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Junkman]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I'm gettin a headache /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif )</font>

Take two aspirin and call me in the morning... that will be $75... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I don't think that it is the machine as much as it is the overall size and weight of the 60" MMM. I could do a little extra effort to get the drive shaft on without the mallet, but why struggle when a gentle tap will do. Work smarter.... not harder... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[milkman]

Junkman,
Check's in the mail /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif That pto connection is hard to get to especially with stiff joints (not that one) the old age kind, I've been spraying mine,(pto) with WD40 and after a few removals and installs, it has loosened up some. It's been so dry here, haven't had to cut grass for a couple of weeks.

 

[brinet]

I would assume that there is either a physical problem with the mowing deck or tractor, or incorrect installation. I remove and re-install my mowing deck frequently and rarely have problems. Maybe it's because I have remove and re-installed it so much that it's become second nature.

Therefore, I thought it might be of some help to record a video of the mower deck installation.

You can view it HERE.

Notice there was no use of a backhoe, loader or rubber mallet.

 

[Junkman]

That is a fantastic 3 minute 40 second video. Thanks for taking the time to make it. I would sure like to see a 60" deck along side of a 54" deck to see the physical differences. One thing that I did notice, is that you have turf tires. I find that the mower is more difficult to slid under the tractor with bar tires. What you do in 3 minutes can take me 20 minutes... /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif thanks again for the great video... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[JerryG]

That was a very good educational video.

 

[Mahlon]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( <snip> Therefore, I thought it might be of some help to record a video of the mower deck installation.

You can view it HERE.

Notice there was no use of a backhoe, loader or rubber mallet. )</font>

Man, I thought I was watching a Kubota version of Norm Abrams there for a little while. Outstanding!

That's exactly how I install the 54" deck as well, but I never thought about laying across the deck to connect/disconnect the PTO shaft.

regards,

Mahlon

 

[SeymourBota]

I agree- an excellent video. I, too, did not consider laying on the mower to connect the pto.
One thing I do differently, though, is to position the mower under the tractor and then connect the pto first- in this way, the rear lift connects remain at top position and there is nothing to inhibit installing the pto shaft. Once connected, there is plenty of range in the shaft as you connect the rear and then front mounts.

 

[brinet]

Thanks for the compliments.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( One thing I do differently, though, is to position the mower under the tractor and then connect the pto first- in this way, the rear lift connects remain at top position and there is nothing to inhibit installing the pto shaft. )</font>

Excellent idea!

Sorry for the poor sound quality of the video. I don't have the expensive equipment the "PRO's" have. I was actually playing around with Adobe Premier Pro (video editing software) and thought this would be a neat project to tackle. I have thought about a video of the grass catcher installation and removal. Seems like watching a process is much more valuable that reading about it in the manual.

So, if anyone has a spare loader they would like to donate, I would be glad to tackle a video of that process also.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Junkman, I had not thought of the bar tires. I can imagine how that, combined with the larger 60" deck, could make the job more difficult. I would prefer the 60" deck, but the doors I have to back through are just wide enough to get the 54" deck in. In fact, twice now I have ripped the doors off the hinges. It's amazing how much force the tractor can have at idle speed and creeping slowly backwards. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif I haven't aquired enough "paid" seat time yet to afford a barn for the tractor and implements.

 

[SeymourBota]

Junkman- the turf and bar tires are exactly the same sizes and there is a little extra clearance front to back with the turf tires. Do the lugs on the bar tires hit the mower simultaneously?? Doesn't seem like the bars would be different from the turfs in terms of rolling the mower under.
2 things might help- the mower anti-scalp rollers have a couple of different height settings when turned sideways: the lower setting would be better. Also, assuming you install the mower from the right side- as in the video, you might gain clearance from turning the front wheels all the way to the right. I used to do that with my Honda that has articulated steering.
Just my $.02

 

[bluecon1]

I agree, great video. I have the 60" deck, and the only difference I see in installing it is that I have to maneuver the deck fore and aft a bit to get the deck/anti scalp wheels past the front and rear tractor tires. I'm guessing the 60" deck is slightly wider (front to back) than the 54". It seemed like the 54" in the video rolled under quite easily. Other than that, make sure the collar on the PTO is lubricated and locked when complete.

 

[TobyH]

Am I the only one that can't get the video link to work? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif I have absolutely no problem mounting my 60" mmm on my bx2200 but everybody liked the video so much I have to see it!

 

[Junkman]

Don't know where you are from, but if you are ever in the Northeast corner of CT, you are welcome to use my tractor any time for training videos. Who knows, you might be able to get the local Kubota dealer to allow you to make them in their shop. That way, they can show people how easy it is to operate without taking one out for a spin.... thanks again for the video....... Junk.....

 

[brinet]

The video is a Windows Media Player 9 file and is quite large (around 9MB). If you are on dialup, it will take quite some time to download. The WMP 9 file is MUCH smaller than the original AVI (190MB), but isn't as clear either.

If you do not have WMP 9 or above, you will not be able to play the file.

Do you have broadband internet?

Out of curiosity, what are the front to back dimensions of the 60" MMM? I will measure the 54" and post back. I still have the problem of getting a wider mower thru the doors, but it appears that the doors will need replacing soon. Might be an opportunity to "stretch" the opening. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[mar11]

Ok everybody-- after trying again last weekend after reading all of your comments, I finally gave up and called the dealer. He sent a service man to our home and replaced the front bracket on the tractor and the attachment arms-- both were bent -- factory defect!! thanks to everyone for all of the suggestions and comments-- a big help in me being able to keep my sanity and frustration under control-- thanks again <font color="blue"> </font>