Using the front-end loader as a jack on a BX2200?

[2002-BX2200]

I was recently involved in an accident that will leave me partially disabled, and, as such, I will no longer be able to pull the deck out from underneath the tractor in order to change the blades. A salesman who used to work at the Kubota dealer from whom I purchased the tractor said that I could use the loader to lift the front of the tractor up high enough to remove the blades with an impact wrench. I do not currently own a front-end loader; however, I have always wanted one. The stumbling block has always been the cost. I am at a point where I will either have to adapt the machine to accommodate my new limitations or sell it outright. I currently have the tractor listed in the paper for a price at which I could not replace it, but people seem to want something for nothing today. I would rather find a way to kept it while making chores such as moving the large volume of mulch that we use each year much easier. Is it safe to lift the tractor with the front-end loader?

 

[AceDeuce]

As long as you use a pair of jack stands to support it after you use the FEL to lift the front end. And, don't forget the chock blocks on the rear wheels to keep it from rolling.

 

[jas67]

2002-BX2200,

Sorry to hear of your accident, and subsequent disability. In addition to helping to change the blades, the loader may also allow you to continue to do some tasks around your property that you are no longer able to do. Also, I know on my B7100HST-D, lifting the front of the tractor with the loader makes it much easier to pull the deck out from under the tractor.

As the AceDeuce stated, definitely use jack stands -- don't further injure yourself.

 

[Tom_H]

First let me say that I am sorry to hear of your accident. I hope that you will recover to the greatest extent possible.

I have a dolly for my MMM, which makes it pretty easy to roll it in and out of position on my garage slab. I also don't have to rotate the wheels 90 degrees. When I want to sharpen blades, I roll the dolly, with deck on top, underneath my electric hoist, which is mounted in the garage trusses. This cost me only $40 at a half price sale at Harbor Freight Tools. I run a chain through the mounts for the front anti scalp roller and lift the deck with the hoist until it is upright, then let it tilt over in the other direction about 5 degrees, such that a good two thirds of the weight is on the ground and one third on the hoist. Also, if it came loose, it would fall away from me rather than towards me. I chock the blades with wood blocks and use a 16" crescent wrench to remove the blades. I have to tap the end of the wrench handle with a small sledge to get it going, but that is no sweat. I have an electric impact wrench, but that nut has a huge diameter, and I think handling the crescent and sledge are actually easier than bracing for the sudden high torque on the impact wrench. I clamp the blades in a bench vice and sharpen freehand with an angle grinder which cost about $30 at Harbor Freight. It always pays to use physics and power tools instead of brute force.

If you want to lift the front end of the tractor, and not remove the MMM, you don't need a FEL. Besides, I'm not certain that would give you enough clearance. I have a BX2200 with FEL and when I do a full lift in front, I just don't see there being enough clearance to crawl under an MMM (which is far back and not lifted as much) and detorque those nuts. It would be much cheaper to go to Harbor Freight and get a hydraulic hand jack, some jack stands, and absolutely those wheel chocks. Still, I would worry about clearance. The BX was not designed with clearance in mind. The gentlemen commenting above are speaking with a B series in mind. That tractor has much more clearance than a BX. What a waste it would be to buy a FEL and then not be able to do what you want. Now jas67 is correct that a FEL is one of the most useful and versatile tools you can have, but if lifting is what you primarily want it for, then insist that the dealer arrange for you to see a BX (with MMM attached) do a FEL lift, place chocks and jack stands, and then crawl under there with an impact wrench (or some drill of similar size) so you can see for yourself what it would be like before you fork out all that money.

My best wishes for success in this endeavor.

 

[2002-BX2200]

First let me say that I am sorry to hear of your accident. I hope that you will recover to the greatest extent possible.

Thank you for the kind words. I was struck by a driver who thought that their cellphone conversion was more important than yielding the right of way to a pedestrian. The truly crazy thing is that I have had one of those "Hang up and drive!" magnets on the back of my car for years.

 

[2002-BX2200]

As long as you use a pair of jack stands to support it after you use the FEL to lift the front end. And, don't forget the chock blocks on the rear wheels to keep it from rolling.

I already own stands and chock blocks.

 

[radioman]

First of all, I am hesitant to use the FEL to hold up the tractor to crawl under. I would in a heartbeat to use it to hold up to change the tire, but the mower blades with impact wrench?! No thanks, not for me. I have taken risks before, but this kind of action gives me the willies.

How hard would it be to remove the deck with your disability ? If it not feasible, then I guess using a electric winch on a steel beam would work after you added floor jacks to bottom of tractor. If removing the deck is fine for you, then getting a FEL is the best thing in the world. you can use to it lift the deck then remove blades like tom h said. In addition, having a FEL helps with disablities to move stuff. You will find more uses for the FEL then anything else on your tractor.

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

Before I would spent $$$ for a FEL I would try to remove the MMM shaft and then reconnect it while it is under the tractor with your disability. I find this the hardest part of the MMM removal procedure. The FEL is not going to help u with this. IF you can do it with no problem then by all means get a FEL, or go the dolly & electric hoist route.

I would also buy a set of MMM deck stands from Larry at
Carrera,Cayman,BMW,Tow Hook License Plate,John Deere,Kubota to hold up the MMM while u are working on it.

 

[radioman]

ny yankee fan makes a very good point i have forgotten you really should consider. its true the shaft is the hardest part of all. set the dail hieght to lowest setting , let it down. try taking it off and back on while deck is still attached. let us know how you make out.

 

[rdsaustintx]

Sorry about your accident, but ummm, buying a FEL so you can raise your tractor to change your mower blades? Seriously?

Compared to paying somebody else to service your mower, lessee, yeah, that would make sense amortized over about 1000 years.

Compared to buying a floor jack, lessee, yeah, that would make sense amortized over, well, never.

FEL's are great, but c'mon, that's not why ya buy one.