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

[Tom_H]

Here's a link to a set of 2 piece car ramps. The ramps are removable so they wouldn't be in the way.

That might work, but there is also the possibility that the bottom of the MMM deck might bottom out on the ramps before the wheels reach the cradles. It would be a challenge to figure it out mathematically; you'd likely need to just try it and see whether it clears or bottoms out.

 

[jimmer2880]

I will accept that many people find attaching the PTO coupling to be hard, but that is not my experience. I found it difficult for only the first few times., but never have any difficulty with it now. It does take the development of skill. There are several secrets to doing it successfully.
......

Tom, Thank you for all the good info. I have only put my MMM on 2x since I bought the tractor in the winter. I had quite a bit of a hard time getting that shaft on. I will try your approach next time.

When I took it off the 1st time (mower was on when I bought it), I had a devil of a time getting it off. I don't think the original owner never removed it in it's 200 hours of life. I ended up sliding the MMM out, separating the shaft.

Hopefully I just need to caress it more

 

[CurlyDave]

I think the FEL makes and excellent jack in this kind of situation. Especially if you get some kind of elevated platform to push down on so as to get more lift.

I think the FEL will make doing a lot of other projects easier, which may help with keeping active despite a disability. This alone is worth the cost of the FEL.

 

[Tom_H]

I ended up sliding the MMM out, separating the shaft.

That's what I always do when REMOVING the MMM. Once it's down on the dolly and the front is unhitched and lift arms up and out of the way, I just push from the left side with my foot. The deck rolls out, the shaft separates, and then there is plenty of clearance to disconnect the coupling. I slip the two halves of the split shaft back together just before rolling the deck back under the tractor for reattachment. These 2 pieces are also "broken in" from repeated separation and recoupling. They need to stay lubed and I carefully line up the double spline with the double groove. Again, finesse is what matters.

The dolly is 15/32" ply on16 2" ball bearing swivel casters. The ply matches the outline of the MMM skirt. There are holes below each of the 3 blade bolts and a shim along the front edge of the plywood. This keeps the weight of the deck off the blades and allows me to easily pivot the coupling when trying to slip it onto the PTO stud. I keep the wheels a bit higher than I used to (so there is clearance when on the dolly) and never have to do the 90 degree rotation.

I have several other posts re. the dolly and a few pics in the archives.

Here's a link to another post with a couple of pics:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...-mmm-3-wheel-dolly-casters-2.html#post1376070

 

[aczlan]

We use the bucket on my FIL's B7510 when we remove or install the MMM, I dump the bucket so that the bottom is vertical and put it on 2 sets of 3 2x8s (~2' long, nailed together), one on each side and lower the bucket, this raises the front wheels off the ground. I then swing the mower under (staying out from under the tractor) and lower the loader. Then I attatch the deck to the tractor and off we go, it took ~10 mins to install the deck last night for the first time this season.

I can take pictures of the process if needed.

Aaron Z

 

[mtrain]

With all due respect sir, if you had carefully read the entire thread, the main idea deals with the OP's disability and his need to sharpen the blades of his MMM. Raising the tractor is one method of accomplishing that. Finding a way to easily detatch and reattach the MMM and also access the blades is another way of solving the problem while spending much less money than purchasing a FEL. That is very relevant to solving the problem of the OP. Please read and understand before you interject such remarks.

I did read it all and if you go back and read his initial response, he says that a salesman at the dealership told him to use the loader to lift the entire machine to gain access to the mower blades. He also later states that he would like to be able to justify the price of the loader for other uses to his wife. I only made the statement that I did because the thread was becoming another one of those threads that talks about how to hook the PTO shaft up which has already been discussed at length on this forum. Sorry
mtrain