BX grass catcher boot question

bellweather · May 1, 2011

I bought a used grass catcher for my BX22 with 54" MMM and I am not sure if I have the boot attached properly (see pic). It has a mounting bracket that is completely different than what is shown in the manual. Although the boot itself fits my mower deck, I'm not sure if it's mounted properly? 3 issues of concern...

1. There is a bolt at the top which does not align with a hole on the deflector flange.

2. The brack has an extension on the front end which appears to have no purpose.

3. The mower deflector is digging into the shoot.

keyman1808 · May 2, 2011

What model grass catcher do you have gck60-bx or gck60-23bx The later is the newer verions. The bracket looks like the one I have. I believe it fit a rck54-23bx I think you have a rck54-22bx that may be why it looks different.

bellweather · May 2, 2011

Could it be that Kubota did not update the manual to show the newer unit? Or maybe the manual I have is for the earlier version?

How does your boot mount to the deck?

My grass catcher mounts using the 3-point hitch arms and top link, which I understand is the earlier unit. I believe the newer ones mount to the frame.

My mower is the RCK54-22BX.

Thanks!

keyman1808 · May 3, 2011

My cather is frame mounted. I cant tell you how the boot mounts as it wont arrive for a few more days. My bagger came with a 54" boot kit and I need the 60" boot kit. I will know in about 1 week.

bellweather · May 3, 2011

If you haven't already returned the 54" boot kit, can you take a picture of it and post it? What does it show in the manual?

Thanks!

keyman1808 · May 3, 2011

Sorry didnt get a manual. What does your manual show?? I looked at kubotabooks.com and the boot kit setup looks different than what you show. What you have looks like it fits the new style deck. I will look and see how the hardware mounts when I get home. The hardware should be the same just the boot itself is different. BTW your kit looks like the one for my deck and bagger.

bellweather · May 3, 2011

Like I said in my original post, the manual shows a different boot mounting bracket than the one I have.

Thanks!

dennisgw · May 4, 2011

I have the 60" BX mower deck. My boot shape is slightly different than yours. You have more of a taper from the leading edge back to the shoot. The deflector width near the hinge point is about 13 1/2" on mine, the hole is about 9" from the leading edge. Holes on the deflector plate and mounting bracket align on my deck. This keeps the boot located properly to fit over the deck chute exit. Your bolt #1 passes through the top of the deflector and screws into the welded nut below when you mount the slotted adapter to the deflector plate. Your item 2 keeps the front of the boot aligned in place when in the down position. The boot fits over the end of the mower exit chute when properly aligned. The end of the deflector does not touch the shoot on my machine. See the attached photo. Your hardware looks very similar to mine (about 2003 vintage). I can't remember if there was a "heavy duty" version of the boots which is perhaps what I have.

bellweather · May 4, 2011

Perhaps the boot I have is for a 60" mower deck?

dennisgw · May 4, 2011

You got me curious and I went out to the garage to check numbers. My deck is a RCK60B-22BX. On the bottom of the boot, there were 5 numbers (6 digits each) stamped into the plastic, one of which was hand "X" ed as 104270. I have a whole goods list from 2003. For my deck size there were 2 boots, BX3061 and F30624 which was the heavy duty boot. It also lists 2 additional boots, a BX3040 boot for the RCK48-15 deck and the BX3051 boot for the RCK54-22BX and RCK54-15BX decks. I don't know the difference between those last 2 decks. The standard boots were $140, while the heavy duty was $227. I bought my catcher used for $1175 and BOS did not indicate much detail other than the description and serial number of the bagger.

tshep · May 4, 2011

I have the same set-up, works fine, just doesn't match the book.
1. I believe mine will align the thumbscrew into the orange chute hole.
2. Looks almost useful, as hole in metal and hole in plastic align - but why?
3. I keep a rag there now...
It all looks wrong, works fine!
I think some of the extra details will allow it all to work without the orange metal chute - but I didn't want to take it all apart.

bellweather · May 5, 2011

Pretty confusing...I'll look into it further over the weekend. Hope I can avoid buying a new boot. Thanks for the info...

bellweather · May 7, 2011

I discovered that the boot bracket was assembled incorrectly. It now resides between the two tabs coming off the portion of the bracket that is fixed to the plastic boot. Before, one ear was inside and the other on the outside. Anyway the thumbscrew holes now line up, so I am able to use the thumbscrew to secure the assembly in place. However the deflector still rests on the shoot. I guess it's as good as its going to get at this point.

Thanks for the replies...

tshep · Jan 23, 2020

Hey, bell or anyone else....
In this cold, I've been researching this gear.
I have the same thing, and they're a ZD3050 set.
Anyone know the history?
My Catcher book also shows another system - a rear pin and front rubber band system.
Anyway, we have a 'top hinged' system.
I am convinced....
The thumbscrew should go from the driver's side through the deflector into the boot bracket.
Also convinced, the odd bit should bolt to the boot - it lines up with the hole.
Next warmish day, I'll fit again.
If the deflector stills wants to run on that $200 hose, it's gonna' get bent!
I see NO mention or acknowledgment of the existing M10X25 that's shown in the deck/deflector/or however it goes.
Does anyone have the old ZD3050 assembly sheet?
There's 1 side of 1 on ebay, but the rest...
Also, there's also supposed to be a bar - looks 2 x 16 or so - added to the rear of the deck.
I guess mine's still on the original Catcher owners's deck!

THX, anyone?

tshep · Jan 26, 2020

Well - me again!
Had that warm day...

Turns out the flat bar goes in the front - exactly where grass escapes!
Odd bit does bolt to and support the plastic - without it closing becomes a 2 step process, not a bit cleaner than when attached.
With it - I can raise deflector (and boot) with my foot, release it and it goes right back to attached!

I did cut about 3 inches off deflector end, from resting on hose. Looked at various bends, etc and that last 3 inches was cleanest when just gone.

Pics to follow...