Changes to new F2690

[628pm]

From all of the discussions on the F series mowers, made several changes to mine. Had dealer replace from mower tires with solid tires, seems that could be a problem with tire pressure, no problem anymore. Added some weight to the back of the mower while also adding a location to tie the mower down on the trailer when I goto in laws each week. That is a solid piece of steel I have had for over 20 years, finally got it off the floor of the garage.

 

[arto98607]

I really like your new mower but can not figure why the extra weight in the back?

:scratchchin:

 

[628pm]

Just wanted to add a little weight to the back when I back out of some of the steep ditches I mow when they are wet at the bottom. Just gives me a little extra weight. Might not need it but I had the piece and wanted the hook to tie down the mower on the trailer. Could of used a flat piece of metal to weld the hook on.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Please find price and some type brand, part number and size of those solid tires and then tell it.
Bit of a warning. An F in real wet site will need another vehicle to pull it out. I got my F3080 in a back corner swamp on my former fairly flat rental property where I had used the 2wd F2680e for years with never getting it stuck. Guess I hadn't went that far into the wet area before. I couldn't believe it with the 4wd and engaged the dif lock and it just sat there floating on top of the wet mud getting no traction and then just started sinking and digging in deeper. Had to get a tenant with a pick up truck to pull me out. Sure the turf tires didn't help in the wet that turned to mud.

 

[628pm]

Will contact my dealer today about tires, as far as getting stuck that is another reason for the hook on the back of the F. Wanted to be ready.

 

[Bigkrank]

Put a collar on top of your front deck wheel spindles to prevent them from falling out when the pin fails. Or you can use good bolts in place of the pins but I prefer the collars.

McMaster-Carr

 

[628pm]

You can't see it on my picture of the front mower wheel but I have a hitch pin in the top hole so it is doubled pinned. Couldn't double pin it until I changed mower height to 3 inch cut.

 

[Bigkrank]

You are a smart guy.

 

[628pm]

No we just think the same, but I wouldn't of done it without this forum. Heck I wouldn't of bought the F without this forum. This forum is a money pit, but you can't take it with you.

 

[arto98607]

... price and some type brand, part number and size of those solid tires ...

Alternative:

I bought these while back, but have not installed yet!



Carlisle Wheels:





They will need 0.75 inch "Water Hard Drill Rod" axles or similar with 3.25 inch smooth section, due to the bearing rollers (which are replaceable).





Both of these items should be easy to find on the eBay and will require little bit of handyman work!

 

[628pm]

Haven't heard back from the dealer yet, but the tires I have are direct replacements.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Put a collar on top of your front deck wheel spindles to prevent them from falling out when the pin fails. Or you can use good bolts in place of the pins but I prefer the collars.

McMaster-Carr

It took a couple of mine falling out and being ran over before I finally bought hardened steel bolts to replace the OEM pins. Not a problem since.

Alternative:

I bought these while back, but have not installed yet!
Carlisle Wheels:
View attachment 521182
They will need 0.75 inch "Water Hard Drill Rod" axles or similar with 3.25 inch smooth section, due to the bearing rollers (which are replaceable).

View attachment 521196



Both of these items should be easy to find on the eBay and will require little bit of handyman work!

Interested in more direct no modifications tires if I can get them before doing acceptable substitutes.
Thanks for info. Will be here if I need it later.

Haven't heard back from the dealer yet, but the tires I have are direct replacements.

No big hurry but the day will come when I will need them so I like to be prepared.

 

[628pm]

Waiting on dealer to get back to me, I will post info as soon as he provides it. I believe you will probably have to order through him, I think I paid around 80.00 for both but I would not have shipping to your destination. If it wasn't for you guys I wouldn't of ordered the solid wheels.

 

[IvanS]

For $80 for both, I suspect your dealer is providing just the solid tire, not the tire/wheel assembly. The wheels on the F-Series are three piece bolted assembly so swapping to the solid tire is easy, no press required.

I purchased a set of solid tires only to find out that my wheels really need replaced as well - roller bearing inside was very worn. I bought the tires direct from Carefree Tire for $68 for the pair, including shipping and tax. I then found I could buy wheel and tire assembly for $100 for the pair so I decided to go that route. I now have an extra set of Carefree Tires that I would sell for what they cost me if anyone is interested.

I've found a source for the tire/wheel combination but they currently have the correct wheel on back-order. When I ordered what I thought was the correct wheel/tire assembly, the web site listed them as a replacement for my deck (RCK60-F30). However when they arrived I discovered they had a 5/8" x 4" hub/bearing, our decks need a 3/4" x 3-1/4" hub/bearing. I've since returned them and the seller has indicated he can get the right wheels, they are just back-ordered right now.

A couple of points about the recommendation from arto98607. The wheels he linked too are the right size, but they are white instead of orange (if that matters to you). Also the axle for the wheels would take a fair amount of work to make. I have a lathe and welder and I could make the axle from drill rod as arto98607 suggests, but new axles were $40 each on eBay and my time is worth more than that if I were to make them myself. They are not simple:



A further point, the wheels on our decks have a grease-able roller bearing that is not well sealed from the elements and is a location that is exposed to dirt, dust, grass, etc. I discovered I should be greasing these at a much higher frequency - every mowing or two - rather than the twice per season I had been doing. My axles were completely shot and the wheel bearings in rough shape as I mentioned.

It looks like I'll be a bit over $180 to replace wheels/tires/axles. I went ahead and bought all new ant-scalp rollers and a new axle for the large anti-scalp roller in front. Couple this with the replacement belt and tension and idler pulleys I put on this spring and it's cost me about $500 to refurbish my 16 year old, 700 hr deck too a like new configuration.

 

[628pm]

Sounds good. I'll still post the info from my dealer when he replies.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Waiting on dealer to get back to me, I will post info as soon as he provides it. I believe you will probably have to order through him, I think I paid around 80.00 for both but I would not have shipping to your destination. If it wasn't for you guys I wouldn't of ordered the solid wheels.

Sounds good. I'll still post the info from my dealer when he replies.

I figure (Ky talk) that if your dealer can get them my dealer can get them or Messicks who seems to offer good parts prices. I doubt they are Kubota tires but a Kubota P/N or name and numbers off tires you have will help track them down.

 

[628pm]

looked up ticket, 10 93504250 bn

 

[IvanS]

looked up ticket, 10 93504250 bn

Interesting, that's not a Kubota part number, but I did find it on the net: $18.92 - Amerityre Mower - Smooth - tires | Buy Amerityre Mower - Smooth tires at SimpleTire

$18.95 at Simple Tire, made by AMERITYRE, that's a great price for the tire. Shipping however is $6.50 per tire, that's a bit stiff.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

$8 each shipping for me but nothing says this is a solid rubber tire on their page plus the other tires on the page of the same size don't look to be solid. I guess your positive it's solid rubber with no tube or valve stem?

 

[628pm]

I'll look today