Question on 2305 MCS

[ChuckinNH]

There has been some talk here about the MCS powerflow unit install, and removal on the 2305. It has been generally considered a PITA, but details about what make it so have been sketchy. I looked at one at the dealers, and the large nuts on the drawbar seemed unnecessary, but it looked like you could break the unit down into small enough pieces to be manageable. I have a three bag turbo collector on my old Simplicity Legacy, and find that the easiest way to deal with it is to remove the hood over the bags. Though a little heavy, the rest of the install seems similar, and easier than the bulk of the Kubota BX MCS. The collector is important to me, and would keep me from purchasing the tractor though I like it's ergonomics better than my old BX22. Any input anyone has would really be appreciated.
Thanks,
Chuck

 

[jdbower]

I think the 2520 MCS is the same one. The only real complication is that the big plastic hood is very heavy and awkward - with two people it's a snap to install and remove, with just one it's a little annoying. The big bolts on the drawbar actually don't need to be touched; just remove the tube to the deck, remove the bags, remove the hood, and then pull out the entire drawbar. I've ordered a small pulley from Northern that should be here today, I'll let you know if it helps or not with the one-man install.

 

[orlo]

Hi:

I have the MCS on my 2305 and wouldn't buy it again. I also have a cyclone rake and I'd stick with something like that.

Note: If you are mowing only and never want to use any 3pt items
it would be fine and you can ignore most of these complaints.

To install it you have to remove the right 3pt arm 'bolt' on the rack, etc. I don't find any of the pieces particularly awkward but the fact that I need to 'bolt' on something immediately disqualifies it as easy to install/remove. Once installed you can not use ANY 3pt hitch accessories.

The above is the single biggest pain there.

Other comments.

It generally works well, but a blower on the bag system (like a cyclone) rake works better because:
o You can attach a wand and suck up other items.
o The first time you clog the blower you'll be cursing. In the blower on
bag systems, the boot on the mower (not the blower) clogs. The boot
is simply a hollow item that you can clean out very easily.
On the MCS, the boot IS the blower. So either you try and stick your
hand through the impeller (unit off of course) which is difficult and
unclog the grass, OR you burn your hand taking the belt off of the HOT
pulley, swing the unit out and unclog the deck and boot from the
'inside'.
o Anything wet WILL clog the MCS quickly. Blower on bag units virtually never clog
even on wet stuff and when they do cleanout of the boot is simple.
o You'll have a separate engine for a CR or similar unit, but your 2305 will 'suck'
down gas with the MCS. My consumption went way, way up when I used it.


On a positive note, It IS very easy to empty. Be aware however that unless you immediately notice the 'full' indicator you'll probably clog the chute when the bags fill.

It also fills quickly and if you have a big lawn don't even consider it. I tried it out on 5 acres and was emptying every 1/2 lap for the first few laps. (Probably 2600-2800 ft / lap). After
using it on that lot once I concluded that I'd never use it there again. (I use it now on a probably 1.5 acres).

Given it was $1600 I think something like a DR or cyclone rake rear collection unit (even if it was a little more) is a much better unit. You'll be emptying less, unclogging less and cursing far less. Never mind you can use 3pt implements as soon as you disconnect the unit. You will have another engine, but you can also do a lot more with it. Having a wand to suck leaves out of tight spots is great.

Anyway, my .02 cents. If I could find a buyer for my MCS I'd probably sell it and use my cyclone rake (I use the CR on my 3720 also).

 

[ChuckinNH]

Maybe a clamp on pulley arrangement for the ROPS might be the way to go. This is a long term purchase for me, and I really appreciate the input Jeff. The best description of the issue so far!
Chuck

 

[ChuckinNH]

Orlo,
Thanks for your input! I've been running a "turbo collector" on my Simplicity riders for many years, and have come to terms with the limitations of that kind of system. When collecting leaves, or large quantities of grass ( I mow nearly 4 acres with lots of trees) I park my trailer with high sides central to where I'm working, and dump into that for example. Plugging is a pain, but only under certain conditions, but manuverability is somewhat more important. The JD system is different from the Simplicity system though, and I appreciate your input based on actual experience. Thanks!

 

[unit40]

I have the MCS on my X744 and have been very pleased with it's performance. And I can compare it to several commercial units out there that I use, and say that it is superior. Except on my X it attaches to the rear click-n-go bracket which speeds things up a bit when attaching or removal. The downside to the system is the bags. I have found that they are very difficult to empty when full. They are heavy and get so packed tight. I am now thinking of a hydraulic dump power pack...without the motor...attaching to my rear 3 point hitch, and rigging something up so I can use the powerflow blower with the dump set-up.

 

[jeffinsgf]

Have you seen the discontinued MC-519? I have one, and find it an excellent option. I have no idea why the discontinued it. The mount is pretty straightforward, and I doubt it would be much of a challenge to rig to either the 3 pt or direct to the frame (as it is on the 455). They're pretty easy to find on the used market.

 

[ChuckinNH]

Unit40,
Have you considered the MC519 cart that attaches to your powerflow system, and click-n-go? Someone here mentioned that hydraulic dumping was an option with that setup. I used a similar cart on an older Simplicity, and found it quite maneuverable. I think it was jeffinsgf that mentioned the 519 hydraulic setup.

Great minds I guess.....

 

[jeffinsgf]

MC-519 isn't hydraulic. It is manual dump. 19 bushel capacity.

 

[ChuckinNH]

Jeff... this is the thread that mentioned the hydraulic 519 option. You might find it an interesting option......

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...ny-use-bagger-collection.html?highlight=mc519

 

[unit40]

I've seen the cart set-up. Holds a lot but limits your dumping options. With the bags at least I can drag them up to the top of the pile. And I did see a dumping option for some Deeres. It was a PDF file I found on-line while doing a search. I like the system Deere makes for the larger tractors. It will raise up high and then dump, so I can imagine creating a pretty large pile after a while.

 

[jdbower]

For what it's worth, I just got back from using this pulley to install my MCS. I think with practice this could make things much easier for me, but it will always be more of a feat of strength than a 3PH mounted one - especially with Pat's EZ-Hitch installed. Things to note:

I mounted it where I keep the MCS, you may be able to mount it on the ROPS but I don't know how difficult that would make installing the MCS because the pulley would be pulling the MCS forward whereas mine pulled nearly straight up.

The MCS is very lopsided from a weight distribution standpoint so make sure you mount the pulley over the center of mass of the MCS and not the center of the tractor.

I keep my tractor inside and I can just barely force the ROPS up in there (not an issue with a 2305 unless you have the aftermarket folding ROPS). If the ROPS is folded mounting the MCS is not likely to work for you, and even less likely if you're suspending it from ropes.

While the pulley is, shall we say, appropriately priced at $10 and I have no idea who would use it to lift 2000lbs, when I used it the MCS is easy enough to raise or lower with one hand while I guide it into place with the other. I bought four tow hooks to grab onto the MCS with - while they're overkill from a capacity standpoint they are able to grab onto the frame fairly well.

I never liked the tow-behind collection systems, and I'd prefer the 3PH hydraulic system but it's too big for the 2520 (officially, it apparently can work but you should have front weights installed). Of course, the ideal solution is to have a dedicated mowing tractor and just leave the system installed, but it's too late for that for me

Hope this helps!

 

[jeffinsgf]

Jeff... this is the thread that mentioned the hydraulic 519 option. You might find it an interesting option......

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...ny-use-bagger-collection.html?highlight=mc519

Funny thing is, just a couple weeks ago I posted on WFM that I would like to swap the gas strut for a hydraulic cylinder. It doesn't look like it would be much of a job. I shopped a couple of online hydraulic shops for an appropriate cylinder and found a couple that I think would work, but it appears to be one of those 1 to 1.5 tractor buck projects (a tractor buck is a hundred dollars -- no sense using all those unnecessary zeros) that gets put off for a rainy day and a few "spare" tractor bucks.

 

[jeffinsgf]

To each his own, but hooking up my 519 cart takes two fingers and about 15 seconds. Connecting the chute to the PowerFlo takes another 15. The PowerFlo takes the longest, 'cause I usually put the belt on backwards the first time.

Yes, the MC-519 makes a somewhat long, low pile. That just gives me a job for the FEL. Stir the compost pile and add the green grass.

Now, I gotta go send beenthere a PM.

 

[jeffinsgf]

...
Now, I gotta go send beenthere a PM.

Well, beenthere got back to me in a hurry. His dealer, Midstate Equipment (6 stores in Central Wisconsin) makes up the hydraulic conversion kit for the MC-519. Only problem is the price, $480

I'm pretty sure I found a cylinder that will work for about 70. Fittings for the QC are kinda pricey, but I'm pretty sure I can get the whole thing put together for under $200. I'll document it here and WFM when I get a roundtuit.

 

[ORCM]

I have the MCS on my 2320, and I just wanted to mention that you do not have to remove any of the 3pt hardware to install it. I also got rid of that stupid ring on the draw bar pin, and replaced it with a key pin (The way it should of been in the first place..).

Also, I had the MCS on my old 325 Garden tractor. It worked pretty good, but as it was mentioned on here it wouldn't do a very good job when things were wet. I replaced the JD blades on the deck with some heavy duty Gator blades, and it made a big difference. I'm thinking about doing this to my new deck.. Has anyone put Gator blades on there 62C or 62D??

 

[unit40]

I've got a pair of Gator magnums due to arrive any day now for my 62c. I've used them before on a 48 and I think they're great. No MCS is going to work all that well in wet conditions. But the Deere powerflow has it's advantages over other types. A deck mounted impeller/blower breaks up the clumps right away and sends it up the tube. A rear mounted impeller as found on some other MCS units, is trying to suck the discharge into the deck boot and through a tube into the blower where it then forces it into another tube leading to the hopper. My NH CM224 had a deck mounted blower and it worked great. My Kubota F3060 and my Deere 1445 at work both have rear/side blowers and will clog easier. I've used my powerflow during a drizzle and wet grass many times this season already and if the grass wasn't so long while I was using it it wouldn't have clogged as much...but still I think it did a commendable job.

 

[ChuckinNH]

Thanks to eveeryone for their responses! I'm left with cautious optimism about the unit. It seems that it works about as well as the deck driven collector on my Simplicity, and though the installation could be easier, it isn't terrible. I've learned that a dealer not too far away has one installed on a 2305 on his lot, so I'll go take a look, and perhaps talk him into letting me see at least how the heavy hood comes off. I collect hundreds of bushels of clippings, and leaves off, and on during the year, so it is important to me.
Thanks again to everyone for their input, ideas, and help.
Chuck

 

[ORCM]

I've got a pair of Gator magnums due to arrive any day now for my 62c. I've used them before on a 48 and I think they're great. No MCS is going to work all that well in wet conditions. But the Deere powerflow has it's advantages over other types. A deck mounted impeller/blower breaks up the clumps right away and sends it up the tube. A rear mounted impeller as found on some other MCS units, is trying to suck the discharge into the deck boot and through a tube into the blower where it then forces it into another tube leading to the hopper. My NH CM224 had a deck mounted blower and it worked great. My Kubota F3060 and my Deere 1445 at work both have rear/side blowers and will clog easier. I've used my powerflow during a drizzle and wet grass many times this season already and if the grass wasn't so long while I was using it it wouldn't have clogged as much...but still I think it did a commendable job.

Let me know how those Gators work on that bigger deck... I'm just about ready to push the buy button myself. If I knew they would make the same improvment on my 62D as they did on my 48" deck with MCS, I would go for it.

 

[Piedmont]

Thanks to eveeryone for their responses! I'm left with cautious optimism about the unit. It seems that it works about as well as the deck driven collector on my Simplicity, and though the installation could be easier, it isn't terrible. I've learned that a dealer not too far away has one installed on a 2305 on his lot, so I'll go take a look, and perhaps talk him into letting me see at least how the heavy hood comes off. I collect hundreds of bushels of clippings, and leaves off, and on during the year, so it is important to me.
Thanks again to everyone for their input, ideas, and help.
Chuck

You will need a couple 30MM 6 point wrenches and sockets, and a solid torque wrench