[kylied]

Just bought a new Kubota BX2660, can anyone give me any helpful tips as to remove and reinstall of the 60'' MMM ??

 

[CHDinCT]

Re: Mower removal and install

I'd start by reading the manual to get the basic procedure down. A few things I do that are not in the manual are that I drive my back wheels onto a 2x6 to gain an inch+ of clearance then use the FEL if on the tractor to raise up the front wheels a few inches. Also, when I turn the gauge wheels 90*, I use the lower hole in the back two wheels which drops the back of the mower to less than an inch off the ground. (You may note there are two holes at the 90* setting on the gauge wheel axles.) I use the top holes on the front wheels since if I use the lower hole, the middle anti scalp roller will drag and prevent the deck from rolling. Having the back of the deck lower helps the mounting adjusting nuts clear the frame of my BX. If I use the top holes, even with the BX on a 2x6, the deck won't clear the frame when I try to roll it out.

By the way, congrat's on your new BX. Pic's are always welcome, some say required. :biglaugh:

 

[kylied]

Re: Mower removal and install

Thanks for the congrats and for the advice, I have done a quick scan of the manual, I think getting it off will be easy, but reinstalling it looks to be kinda tough, your hands on experience and advice will help, by the way this tractor is awesome, have used it only for mowing so far, will be using the FEL sometime this week.

 

[dave martineau]

Re: Mower removal and install

good info on the gauge wheels, again the loader is very helpful, make sure that the shaft is "clicked " in on the spindle. After r&r a few times it should take about 5 minutes

 

[Volfandt]

Re: Mower removal and install

Welcome aboard kylied and congrats on the new machine. They are nice aren't they

Chris is dead on. Theres alot of folks that use their FEL's and 2X's to gain more leverage to make it easier.

I, on the other hand, have learned not to use any additional implements to R&R the 60" MMM on my BX23. Course since I've never tried Chris' method so it could be a case of I just don't know what I'm missing

Taking the MMM off takes less than 5 minutes while putting it back on can take anywhere from 5 - 20 minutes depending upon how easily I can get the pto shaft splines lined back up

Basically, I raise the MMM to the top position then turn 3 of the gauge wheels 90 degrees to the sideways position. I don't turn the left rear as I've found I can roll the MMM just as easily with it staying in the normal position.
I then spin the depth wheel to the lowest position then drop the MMM to where it's supported via the gauge wheels and not the lift links.
I then disconnect the rear lift links by pulling back and locking the spring loaded locking pins in the open position, spin the depth wheel back to the Top position then raise the lift links up and out of the way.
I then unhook the front link and take it completely out of the tractor and lay it out of the way.
I then turn the steering wheel to point the front wheels all the way to the left and shut the engine down.
Having a concrete floor is a necessity btw.
I then start to roll the MMM out towards the right side of the tractor until the front anti scalp wheel almost contacts the right front wheel, then using my feet I push the MMM back on the right front side to clear the wheel then continue to push the MMM out until it clears the tractor. Sometimes it takes some back and forth adjustment to "wiggle" it out but all the pushing is done via my feet/legs just pushing the MMM in the direction I need it to go.
Reassembly is basically in the reverse of the above.
Your BX2660 may be similar but Kubota does make just enough mod's between the BX models to make it interesting
One thing on reinstall, I've found that as soon as I get the MMM centered back under the tractor and BEFORE I connect up the lift links/front links, I always connect the pto shaft 1st as it makes it easier to gain access to tha ttight area when you can manuver the MMM around to gain all the clearance you can get. It's especially important if you're "weight challenged" as I
Good luck and enjoy the machine. Use it inplace of your back
Dave

 

[kylied]

Re: Mower removal and install

I'm not as fearful as I was before of removing and reinstalling the MMM, one question I do have, is it safe to make any adjustment on the depth wheel if the MMM is not fully lifted?

 

[TPS]

Re: Mower removal and install

Ditto what volfandt said. I can get it all together pretty quick, but sometimes it takes me as long to get the Shaft back on the pto as everything else! Any way, as to putting the MMM to the up position before adjustment, that is the only way I can get it to adjust right. So I just lift it all the way and then do my MMM adjustments. Congrats on the machine-TPS

 

[Sawbuck]

Re: Mower removal and install

Another helpful tip is to place the PTO lever in the rear position. This allows the middle PTO output shaft to rotate freely and this helps engage the MMM's shaft.

 

[CHDinCT]

Re: Mower removal and install

I'm not as fearful as I was before of removing and reinstalling the MMM, one question I do have, is it safe to make any adjustment on the depth wheel if the MMM is not fully lifted?

I find it impossible to rotate the depth knob unless the MMM is all the way up first - takes the weight off of it. As TPS said, lift to full up, rotate as desired, drop it back down. Have fun.

 

[kylied]

Re: Mower removal and install

Thanks to all of you for your advice, this shouldn't be as difficult as I thought, this forum is great!!

 

[Kenneth H]

Re: Mower removal and install

I can take my MMM off and reinstall in about 5 mins. each. I do drive my front tires on a 2x8. I leave the back tires on the ground. Doing that, gives you plenty of clearance.
Everything else I can tell you has already been told.

 

[harpoonalt]

Re: Mower removal and install

Like everyone said it gets easier after a few times, Except for the PTO shaft. Sometimes it clicks right on and sometimes.......well, a strategically placed beer can sometimes help relax you.

 

[smeagol]

Re: Mower removal and install

Like Sawbuck said, setting the PTO to 'rear' is the secret in getting the shaft back on. The shaft can then turn and the splines line up very easily. Only takes 10 seconds or so (most times) using this technique.

 

[kylied]

Re: Mower removal and install

To all that answered my question thank you very much, your advice, shortcuts, and hands on experience should make this very easy, I'll be taking the MMM off this weekend. This forum is the best!!

 

[brucew]

Re: Mower removal and install

I have 10.5 hours on my bx2660 and needed to grease everything. This post was really timely and helpful to me. I had really been dreading pulling the MMM.

It took me about 15 minutes to pull the MMM, but a lot of that time was going to the bench to read the next steps( I printed out this thread). I tried not using the FEL to lift the front, and probably could have made it, but when it got tight I just raised the front a bit and everything came out easily.

Suprisingly, the hardest part was getting the front clamp back on. I had assumed it was bolted to the frame and I could not get the front clamp to hold. I finally figured out that the clamp was not seated. Once I got it back in place everything went back together fine.

Thanks to everyone for taking time for us Newbies.
Bruce

 

[TPS]

Re: Mower removal and install

Kylied,
One more tip for you when reinstalling the MMM. I used to try and hold the coupler back and slip it all the way onto the mid PTO. It is far easier to start it onto the shaft and then pull the coupler back and slide it the rest of the way onto the shaft. Just remember to double check and pull on it to be sure it is locked in place or all kinds of things can happen and none are good!
Take care-TPS

 

[David M]

Re: Mower removal and install

I, too, am coming up on 10 hours on my new 2660, so I thank you all, too!

David M.

 

[CHDinCT]

Re: Mower removal and install

Kylied,
One more tip for you when reinstalling the MMM. I used to try and hold the coupler back and slip it all the way onto the mid PTO. It is far easier to start it onto the shaft and then pull the coupler back and slide it the rest of the way onto the shaft. Just remember to double check and pull on it to be sure it is locked in place or all kinds of things can happen and none are good!
Take care-TPS

TPS - thanks to a tip a ways back from Volfandt, the coupler will click into and stay in the open position, though it's very sensitive. I have to play with it a bit but have gotten it to stay in the open position while sliding it onto the shaft.

 

[Kenneth H]

Re: Mower removal and install

I did not know it would click open...learn something here everyday!! I gotta try that.

 

[Sawbuck]

Re: Mower removal and install

News to me also - another great tip!