M8540/M9540 540/1000 rpm PTO Conversion install

[xring100]

The 361 is a fantastic saw! Responds very well to a muffler mod and carb retune.

I llove my 361 never thought about doing any muffler work on though. If i want more power i just pickup the 660 of which i have seriously considered putting the older 066 muffler on. If only the 660 weighed as much as the 361

 

[case245]

nice job on your tractor on aside note the 3pt lift assist cylinders on the 70,85,95 an so on id LIKE TO ADD THEM TO MY 7040SUD can it be done they dont list them on the kubota site on build my kubota for my tractor the 7040 doesnt lift enough for me any ideas on that i was told it cant be added to my tractor

 

[Verticaltrx]

Install looks good, nice writeup.

You'll like the 1008, we have a pull-type 1008 and it is a brute of a cutter. Dad bought it new in '87 and we've cut thousands of acres with it since. IIRC an 85 PTO hp tractor is what Deere considers minimum based on weight (like the 6cyl 2950,) so I bet you will need a lot of front ballast.
Be sure to post some pics of it in action when you get it hooked up.

 

[Rustyiron]

Ovrsizd, you sure put togher a good post! Thanks, the $1150 price when you first talked obout ordering it seemed like a lot. The "kit" is much more than I had envisioned and seems like a very fair deal for what is supplied. (I was thinking that you just switched shafts as equiped from the factory)

 

[ovrszd]

I think its funny that your old 3 pt shield has the same dent in it that mine does from the top link hitting it. I bent mine with the Plow.

I bent mine backing the brush cutter over the edge of a bank.

 

[ovrszd]

nice job on your tractor on aside note the 3pt lift assist cylinders on the 70,85,95 an so on id LIKE TO ADD THEM TO MY 7040SUD can it be done they dont list them on the kubota site on build my kubota for my tractor the 7040 doesnt lift enough for me any ideas on that i was told it cant be added to my tractor

My only experience with this chassis is my 12 speed 9540 which comes with the larger lift 3pt. I never thought about any coming without the cylinders??? Probably going to require a trip to a dealer to ask that question.

Neil Messick's is on here frequently, PM him with the details of your questions and he'll steer you right, no charge.

 

[ovrszd]

Install looks good, nice writeup.

You'll like the 1008, we have a pull-type 1008 and it is a brute of a cutter. Dad bought it new in '87 and we've cut thousands of acres with it since. IIRC an 85 PTO hp tractor is what Deere considers minimum based on weight (like the 6cyl 2950,) so I bet you will need a lot of front ballast.
Be sure to post some pics of it in action when you get it hooked up.

Oh, you know me,,, I'll certainly post pictures.

I was shopping for a Bush Hog 3210 or 2010 when I found this cutter. The going price for a Bush Hog was $4000-$6500. I found this cutter at a JD dealer for $1800. It did not have stump jumper pans on it. I thought something dreadful had to be wrong with it. Finally I decided I could do a lot of repairs at that price. It had a new PTO shaft on it, almost new blades, solid gearboxes with no leaks, 4 tail wheels. I rebuilt the slip clutch and added pans which cost me $320. It appears the cutter has spent it's life doing finish mowing. Very few pimples in the deck. Sitting on concrete the blades were set 4" high. I won't cut anywhere near that low, I set them at 6". So, I'm anxious for Summer to get here so I can see what I got.

Do you have any idea what this cutter weighs?? I can't find any technical data on it anywhere. I'll end up using 850lbs of front weights. I cut a lot in confined areas and can't run with my loader installed.

 

[ovrszd]

Ovrsizd, you sure put togher a good post! Thanks, the $1150 price when you first talked obout ordering it seemed like a lot. The "kit" is much more than I had envisioned and seems like a very fair deal for what is supplied. (I was thinking that you just switched shafts as equiped from the factory)

I agree, I thought I'd change out all the internals of the original case cover, never even thought about the drawbar thing. As I said before, I'm glad it came assembled, the instructions talks about pressing on gears, etc, etc.

In the end, I guess the biggest gain is the ability to run either speed. If this just strictly converted to 1000rpm I'd say it was too expensive. In a matter of less than a minute I can go from running my 1000rpm cutter to running my 540rpm post hole auger. :thumbsup:

 

[Verticaltrx]

Oh, you know me,,, I'll certainly post pictures.

I was shopping for a Bush Hog 3210 or 2010 when I found this cutter. The going price for a Bush Hog was $4000-$6500. I found this cutter at a JD dealer for $1800. It did not have stump jumper pans on it. I thought something dreadful had to be wrong with it. Finally I decided I could do a lot of repairs at that price. It had a new PTO shaft on it, almost new blades, solid gearboxes with no leaks, 4 tail wheels. I rebuilt the slip clutch and added pans which cost me $320. It appears the cutter has spent it's life doing finish mowing. Very few pimples in the deck. Sitting on concrete the blades were set 4" high. I won't cut anywhere near that low, I set them at 6". So, I'm anxious for Summer to get here so I can see what I got.

Do you have any idea what this cutter weighs?? I can't find any technical data on it anywhere. I'll end up using 850lbs of front weights. I cut a lot in confined areas and can't run with my loader installed.

The integral model weighs 2006lbs, and that is with only two tail wheels. I have a manual right here if you need any other specs or info.

 

[Airdriver]

We run a Bush Hog 3008, 2 pt hitch with our M8540 and the best thing about the mower is the tires! The dealer ordered it with (used) airplane tires and those stay on top and roll easily over everything. In 5 years of hard use the tires have not been punctured.
Those tires I would suggest to anyone with a big, heavy mower behind.
Looks like the 1000rpm conversion kit is a winner, too!