Question on moving drive over decks

[DoubleDeere]

So how do you guys move them around to where you are going to store them after removal? I used to own a 2305 with a 62c deck which was removed buy sliding it out on the casters turned sideways. I am currently looking at a 1025r or 2025r and it looks like when the deck is down for removal you are going to have to do more wrestling with it to move it than what the 62c deck took by just rolling it.

 

[Ed of all trades]

Not a deere man but this might help, I took a 4" peace of 1 1/4 x 1/4 iron and drilled two holes in it one near each end. One hole fits the pin that mounts the back of the deck to the lift arms, the other fits a 3/8" bolt that I use to bolt the iron to a small chain. One on each side hooks to my hooks on my front end loader making it easy to pick up and slowly carry it in the barn.

 

[DoubleDeere]

that sounds good, but what about the guy who does not have a loader. John Deere used to have a feature called stow and go on the 2000 series and I just found out they don't have it anymore. That is where you were able to pick up the deck with the I-match hitch and move it to where you wanted it.

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

I use pallet forks to move my decks, however, if I only had iMatch one could easily fabricate (or pay someone) a simple set of fork(s) that could attach to the iMatch and then be used to pick up the deck and move it. Would only need to be lifted a few inches to move. Maybe even modify something like this to lift the deck with the 3 pth.

 

[kennyd]

I don't have a drive over deck, and I'm not sure why that matters but I use Larry's Mower Axles to store my deck vertically:



The Stow-N-Go thing did not last long, rumor is the lawyers thought it was unsafe so they got rid of it.

 

[DoubleDeere]

Thanks fellows, all good ideas. I do have a loader for my other tractor but it is not always on and usually when it is not on it is not always easily accessible. Unfortunately I have to many things packed into to small a pole building and looking to make things worse by adding another tractor.
After giving it some thought, I would think that after the deck is off that you could lift up on each corner until each caster spindle locked into a hole and be able to roll it that way just like the 62c except for you would be rolling it width wise instead of length wise. What I mean by that is the spindles were turned 90 degrees on the 62c deck. Well that should have confused everybody.
Thanks again guys for the responses and ideas.

 

[bigtiller]

So how do you guys move them around to where you are going to store them after removal? I used to own a 2305 with a 62c deck which was removed buy sliding it out on the casters turned sideways. I am currently looking at a 1025r or 2025r and it looks like when the deck is down for removal you are going to have to do more wrestling with it to move it than what the 62c deck took by just rolling it.

I was really hoping for a solution but none yet. The pallet forks don't work because the deck is flat on the concrete. Heck, you can't even get a crowbar under it. So what I do is put the loader on and use a chain to lift the corners high enough to lower the wheels so I can push it around. One of these days I will build something to make it easier and post it here, unless someone beats me too it.

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

I was really hoping for a solution but none yet. The pallet forks don't work because the deck is flat on the concrete. Heck, you can't even get a crowbar under it. So what I do is put the loader on and use a chain to lift the corners high enough to lower the wheels so I can push it around. One of these days I will build something to make it easier and post it here, unless someone beats me too it.

If the pallet forks don't fit under the deck, use a rope / chain to attach the deck to the forks and then lift and move. Once lifted the wheels can also be lowered so it can be pushed on concrete.

 

[prosperity]

Because of phisical limitations, I have to put my loader on to move my deck at all. I have a fabric lifting strap that is a continuous loop. With the deck on the ground I can slip the strap under the front gauge wheels. Then the loop goes on my bucket hooks that are welded to the top of my bucket. Works great. The only thing it takes a minute to put the loader on.

For the OP without a loader, I don't know any other solutions than have been listed here already. I am thinking of rigging up something to lift the deck with the 3-point hitch like the stow-and-go was setup. I have Pat's easy change hooks on my 3 point arms. On my 62D deck there is a place where the stow-and-go rig used to be. I guess I could just put a pin in those holes on the deck with a short loop of chain.

Thinking out loud here - I think I just came up with a solution for myself!

 

[Code54]

Pulley/rope to beam/rafter/etc.
Pull rope that is attached to the leading edge of the desk Standing on the back edge
Slip a regular or fridge dolly under
Strap to a dolly with ratchet straps
Roll it away

 

[bigtiller]

Pulley/rope to beam/rafter/etc.
Pull rope that is attached to the leading edge of the desk Standing on the back edge
Slip a regular or fridge dolly under
Strap to a dolly with ratchet straps
Roll it away

That won't work for me, no beam or rafter. The ceiling is dry-walled and insulated.

I'm thinking of something like a motorcycle jack stand.

 

[DoubleDeere]

bigtiller, not having one yet to look at, is there any other area that a block of wood and a crowbar ( pry bar ) could be used to raise it enough to lock in the casters? Like maybe under the shoot ( might have to lift the deflector up a little out of the way ) or one of the spindle mounts close to the deck shell some how.

 

[newbury]

Can't you guys lay down a couple of 2x4's and drop the deck on that?
THEN use your straps or forks to move it.

 

[prosperity]

Can't you guys lay down a couple of 2x4's and drop the deck on that?
THEN use your straps or forks to move it.

With the drive over deck, it needs to be all the way on the ground. To drive over it coming off, with the tractor in 4WD, the front tires crawl up the front of the deck then up over. If the deck slips at all it won't work.

I agree with DoubleDeere - not hard at all to use a crowbar to lift the right side of the deck up. Once you get one caster wheel set the rest will be easier. Might need a small block of wood under the deck where the crowbar goes underneath to get the proper leverage - doing that you could use your foot to push down on the crowbar and have both hands free to adjust the caster.

 

[bigtiller]

Today was the day. I finally built a mower deck jack. Head on over to the "build it your self" forum and read the thread titled "moving drive over decks"

 

[KennyG]

The reply that the 2x4's won't work is probably correct. If the deck didn't scoot, the tires probably wouldn't climb the deck easily. There are tabs on the deck that the tire lugs match up with and you wouldn't want to have it any higher. I use the loader to raise it and put wheels on it for vertical strorage. However, I can lift one corner at time without much trouble and slide blocks under it if I want to lower the wheels and I'm not that young or strong.

 

[bigtiller]

Give yourself a few more years and you'll be building a jack like mine. The ritis brothers (art & theo) are no help at all.:laughing:

 

[OregonCraig]

I don't have a drive over deck, and I'm not sure why that matters but I use Larry's Mower Axles to store my deck vertically:

View attachment 375956

kennyd, I was looking at those mower axles...how do you lift the deck to install the axles?

...I use the loader to raise it and put wheels on it for vertical storage. However, I can lift one corner at time without much trouble and slide blocks under it if I want to lower the wheels and I'm not that young or strong.

KennyG, do you use the same mower axles that kennyd linked to?

Thanks!

 

[KennyG]

I basically "stole" the design and made my own. 1/2" pipe fits through the John Deere rear wheel mounting holes. I put 5/8" threaded rod in the end of the pipes and bought 10" Harbor Freight wheels/tires on sale. I had an old thread on this and several others have done it. Once you have the parts, it's a 1/2 hour job.

 

[kennyd]

kennyd, I was looking at those mower axles...how do you lift the deck to install the

Brute force