Mowing Belly mower install

[ttstraw]

Mornin folks,

Well tomorrow I am headed to the dealer to swap out my RFM for a Kubota belly mower for my B2920. Getting the 60" model and doing the install myself. Some are going to ask why, well its simple, the Mrs and the kids hate the RFM and wont mow with it so if I want some help with the 4.5-5 acres of mowing I had to make the move. The dealer is giving me a pretty good deal on my RFM and he knocked 10% off the deck for me as well as gave me a little break since I am doing the install. He says its pretty straight forward but I am curious if anyone else has done this install, what things do I need to watch for..any gotcha's?

Thanks folks....

 

[KU Gator]

It is very easy and straight forward. If you are going to drive over it, you will want the wheels on the mower at the lowest setting. That way the weight is supported by the frame of the mower as you drive over it. There should be some little ramps that are supplied with the mower. These go on what would be the back of the mower to drive your wheels over it. Put the tractor in 4wd and go over it until the front wheel drop off the front of the mower. You can then make minor alignment of the mower by the brute force dragging method. There is a U shaped bracket on the front of the mower that I hook up 1st to the tractor. Then set the mowing height to 0 and lower the 3pt hitch control down and the arms will drop. You have to pull some pins back that will later lock the back of the mower to the tractor lift arms. Again you may have to make minor adustments of the mower to get it ligned up. lock the pins on both sides. Reach under and hook up the drive and you are ready to raise the mower, readjust the wheels to the proper height and go. Most of the time it takes me longer to adjust the wheels than the whole rest of the procedure. Hooking the drive up is only a little difficult as you end up lying on your back and reaching to get it to align and catch, so it is hard to get much force. It is described pretty well in the mower manual and once you have done it a time or two, you won't think about it much. Like taking the FEL off, the 1st time makes you wonder it you'll ever get it back on, but after a while, no big deal. I usually take my mower off on the concrete, but I have done it just on the ground too.

Instead of driving over it, you can also slide it under. In that case, you need the wheels going side ways. Take the U bolt off the front, and it will slide under pretty easily. The rest of the process is the same.

Easy to remove too. I would suggest disconnecting the shaft 1st. I forgot it once and backed off. Didn't cause any damage as it just slides appart, but did cause my heart to race a bit. Also remember to adjust the wheels before disconnecting it.

The mower is quiet and easy to use. It is easy to work around obstacles. Make sure they know it should be in the tractor PTO should go in the higher (960/both) setting when using the belly mower. In this setting the front and rear PTO shafts run. You should have been given a cap to cover the rear shaft that can be installed.

You can lock it in the up position if you want to leave it on while doing something like using the FEL. I generally take mine off if I am going to be doing much because it isn't that difficult, but if I am just using the FEL like a wheel barrow to carry something I will leave it on.

 

[Iowachild]

Mornin folks,

Well tomorrow I am headed to the dealer to swap out my RFM for a Kubota belly mower for my B2920. Getting the 60" model and doing the install myself. Some are going to ask why, well its simple, the Mrs and the kids hate the RFM and wont mow with it so if I want some help with the 4.5-5 acres of mowing I had to make the move. The dealer is giving me a pretty good deal on my RFM and he knocked 10% off the deck for me as well as gave me a little break since I am doing the install. He says its pretty straight forward but I am curious if anyone else has done this install, what things do I need to watch for..any gotcha's?

Thanks folks....

Can I ask what the deck sells for? I have had one for sale 70 miles west of you since I bought my machine last August. I bought the B2320 used with 125 hours from a private party because it was a great deal. I have no need for the 60" MMM.

 

[ttstraw]

New in the crate the deck goes for $2500..they knocked 10% off for me.

 

[LQPAPPY]

Never heard of running mid and rear pto at same time to get 960 rpm but my B3030 states the mid pto operates at 2500 rpm with engine at 2600 rpm and rear at 540rpm engine at 2592. So not sure about your model but with mmm I use the mid pto only. Might check manual.

 

[ttstraw]

How about the initial install of the deck and all it hardware, anyone ever done a ground up install on one of these?

 

[ttstraw]

LQPAPPY,

On the B2x20's you get either rear alone at 540 or mid and rear together with the mid turning at 2500 and the rear at 960. On the 2x20's you cannot get the mid PTO alone with out the rear spinning as well, so if you want 960 at the rear your mid is going to be spinning at 2500 whether you want it to or not and if you want 2500 on the mid your rear will be spinning at 960 whether you want it to or not. My guess is this is a cost savings drill.

Tom

 

[KU Gator]

LQPappy

You are correct. When in the "both" position in the 2x20 series, the rear pto is at 960 rpm and the mid is at 2500. On that model you can not select mid only.

ttstraw

As far as far as total assymbly is concerned, mine was purchase on the tractor, so no experience there.

 

[LQPAPPY]

Mine was dealer installed with new tractor purchase and I have not removed it only pin it up in the winter. I did receive the install instructions with all the manuals and I know with the fel on my model there were different stops added. I have removed/installed mmm before on Bx models and they were fairly easy.

 

[don716]

I did have a RFM but it was always in the way when I wanted to turn or go around trees.I started looking for a MMM and I looked on craigslist and found someone that had one on a new tractor he bought."It had 25hrs on it"!!!!. I thought well, I will check on this and see where he lives and go look at it.I did price a new one a week before this and it was $2395.00.My FRM was bought used for $750.00.Anyway, I found out that he only lived about 8 miles away.He told me he wanted a RFM because of the humps in his yard.I went and looked at his and it was new. He said if I wanted his he would help me take it off his tractor.He came to look at mine and liked it. Mine did look "USED".Now, the question,how much difference was this going to cost me.He looked at me and said"I cannot pay you any difference" but I will help take it off my tractor for you.I was like """What"""????. I thought I would have to pay him alot of difference.I wanted to jerk his arm off but I was calm and said "I guess that will be OK."So, it was an even trade and I came out on top of this one.I did pay close attention on how it was removed and I had it on mine by the next evening.It's the best deal I ever got.I wouldn't take nothing for my MMM.

Donny