Remove/install belly mower

Bill_C · Mar 5, 2006

Hi, I'm new to owning a "real" tractor--I just bought an old Ford 1100 which has a Continental 48 inch belly mower already installed underneath the tractor. This attaches to the 3-point hitch (as well as a couple of hooks on the middle of the tractor) and runs off the rear PTO.

So...what's the easiest way to remove the mower (for example, when I eventually get more implements that need the 3 point hitch)? I don't have much experience with using a 3 point hitch and I'd hate to remove a finger instead of the mower. It almost looks like the hitch has to be disconnected then the tractor somehow has to go forward, over the mower deck... /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Then when it's time to put the mower back on, how can I connect the PTO shaft while moving the mower into position--there's a sticker on the mower saying to connect the PTO before connecting the 3PH...

Thanks in advance!!

MadDog · Mar 6, 2006

Welcome, Bill:

I'm not familiar with the Ford 1100 so I can't speak to it specifically, but here's what I do.

Mounting an MMM (belly mower) is MUCH easier if you can maneuver the mower itself, rather than the tractor. The problem is that an ordinary attachment dolly on wheels will probably bring the mower up way too high. My solution to this was to make a low dolly from a slab of 5/8" plywood beneath which are mounted 1" ball bearing work rollers (available from Woodcraft and other woodworking retailers) following the outline of the mower at about 6" intervals. this can be used to maneuver the dolly (and mower) in any direction beneath the tractor. Trim the plywood pretty close to the outline of the mower, so that it doesn't hit the front rear wheels, etc. BTW, you have to have a concrete (or other very hard and smooth flooring) for this to work.

I have a BH subframe that, even with the dolly, makes it hard to position the mower, so I usually jack up the tractor about 4" on the side from which I am going to slide the MMM in and get it roughly positioned, before lowering the tractor prior to hookup.

My mower driveshaft connects to my tractor's mid-PTO, so connection of yours will obviously be different, but you should be able to work out a decent method. It takes me less than 5 min to mount or detach my MMM.

Hope this helps.

Bill_C · Mar 6, 2006

Thanks, but there are problems...This tractor is small and relatively low, with a short wheelbase, so the belly mower won't come out between the front and rear tires. The tractor would have to be raised about a foot or more to get the mower's PTO gearbox under the tractor. So here's my choices: 1) raise one rear wheel about a foot with an overhead hoist, thus allowing me to pull the mower under the rear tire, or 2) just disconnect the 3pt hitch and then drive the tractor over the mower deck. From a few cryptic comments I've seen on the Web, it looks like option 2 is the preferred way.

MadDog · Mar 6, 2006

I would only drive the tractor over the MMM if the MMM specs expressly permit it. I know that some Kubota MMMs say it is OK, but others prescribe different installation procedure.

Bill_C · Mar 7, 2006

I called the manufacturer today and they said the mower is intended to be driven over it to remove it, as long as the tractor doesn't weigh a couple of tons (no problem here!) Should be relatively simple to remove.

For anyone that may need to get info on a Continental-Belton mower, they are now owned by Ag-Meier. The gentleman there was very helpful and courteous, parts can still be obtained--he even said he would send me a manual. They still make mowers (though not a belly mower); their number is on the website www.ag-meier.net