BX Grass Catcher Model GCK60-BX

[graybeard451]

This is my first post that wasn't a reply so bear with me. I do like the finish when the catcher is used and I think it works well. I take the grass catcher on and off often to use the backhoe. To move it around I use a motorcycle lift jack. It has the correct height and has wheels. You could use a floor jack but I think you would need to make a cradle for the height. The first attachment I'll try, shows it on the jack getting wheeled up to the tractor. I do put the feet down when not in use, for safety if it fell off the jack while being moved and so I can use the jack when the grass catcher isn't on the tractor.

 

[graybeard451]

That's cool, it worked. OK, so the next step when close is to hook up the PTO shaft.

 

[graybeard451]

Then sliding just a little side to side with it down on the legs, hook up the arms and install the pins.

 

[graybeard451]

The last step is to jack up the grass catcher and with a little wiggle the top pin slide in. Easy.......
BX is a great tool, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

[surfran]

I think you forgot to add the /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif after the "Easy".....

I have used the floor jack, the board under the stands, nothing, everything, and on and on and on.

I still find it is a pain to hook up compared to most everything else, but it does a fabulous job so I do it when I need it. Especially in the leaf season where it rocks!

 

[JWE]

greybeard, that is a good idea. I was going to make a dolly and lift for mine but now I think I will buy a motorcycle lift. What make is yours? Are they all pretty much the same construction and lift height?

The clincher for me was that you said the it was easy to get the pin in the top link. That is the hardest part of the installation for me.

Thanks for the idea!

John

 

[Av8r3400]

Excellent idea with the motorcycle lift. I have one of those too, I'll have to give it a try. Mine usually goes on with this procedure and a couple of grunts. It is far easier to split the driveshaft, hook the coupler to the PTO, then feed the two halves together, than trying to do the coupler with the bagger right in the way, isn't it?

I got my motorcycle lift from the yearly local Homier Tool Show for about $50. It's nearly identical to the ones sold at the motorcycle shops for $250.

 

[graybeard451]

It's a "no name" lift, I'm sure they are all about the same. Maybe my chains are a little loose, and that gives it a little more wiggle room? As I'm jacking it up, it looks from the side like I'm just slightly too high and it's too far back. Then just rock the vac on the jack and it goes right in for me. For me I think it's easier to slide the two halfs together first, then reach in between the tractor and vac to couple the shaft to the tractor than to do it the other way around. Like anything else, the more I do it the easier it is.

 

[dennisgw]

I got 4 pieces of steel bar stock (6" long) that is sized to slip into the open ends of the support stands. Drilled hole for swivel caster and just slip these into the stands. Wheel size is such that top link just about aligns perfectly for putting the pin in. Just remember to remove the bars with the wheels when the catcher is in the mounted position.

 

[Junkman]

how about a picture to go along with this idea?????

 

[dennisgw]

Took a couple of pictures tonight. A picture is worth a thousand words. The bars slide in very easy, don't come out when I move the catcher around my garage floor. I drilled and tapped bar for the caster stud. Was going to put a locknut on the stud but haven't seen need yet. Bar is about 6" long.

 

[dennisgw]

Closeup of caster. Little grainy but basics are there.

 

[surfran]

Wow do I like this idea. I think I will have to try this as well. What size bar stock is it? Where did you get the wheels and what size are they?

 

[Av8r3400]

Did you re-drill the locking pin hole so the legs' length is the same as when they were resting on the floor? (By putting it up on the casters, it lifts the bagger unit several inches, did you adjust for this height difference?) Looks like a good idea for mobility!

I hope that question is understandable. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[JWE]

AV8r2230.. I installed my bagger today and gave your system a try. It worked well except I had to use a 1 1/4 inch board to get the proper height.

I wasn't convinced that installing the PTO with it apart was the way to go but after doing it, it was easier than reaching through the bagger frame to make the connection.

It does sound appealing to have it on casters. I suspect the height of the casters will be critical when aligning the toplink pin.

John

 

[Av8r3400]

My thought with the casters:

Install the bagger, put the casters on the stands and let the stands "hang" loose in their brackets on the bagger, then re-drill the pin holes on the legs so that the alignment is near perfect. Sounds good in theory, but...

/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[surfran]

Well here is my not so fancy but cheap version. I went to Chase Pitkin (local box store like Lowes, Home Depot) and bought 4 swivel casters rated 90 lbs each @ $1.99 ea.

I had also went to TSC and Lowes, but their prices were higher and the only one that the ones like Dennis showed with the threaded rod was TSC @5.99 ea.

I decided since I had no metal and no real way to easily work with it anyhow I would use wood.

I cut some wood pieces 8" long by 2" wide for mounting the casters. Then trimmed the balance of 6" to just under 1 3/4" to fit into the stand ends.

I also had to shave the thickness as they were too tight to easily go in and out.

Here are the pictures of my setup.

I will probably end up re-making the wood pieces and increasing the size where the casters go as I did crack a couple when putting the screws in, but I'll see how long it hold up. I will probably go to hard wood for them as well.

Worked great getting the bagger off and moving around the garage, but was too late to mess around with re-installing it so haven't tried that yet.

First pic is off the wood cutout and marked for the casters.

 

[surfran]

Next photo is with the caster staged on the wood ready for the screws.

 

[surfran]

Now for them mounted on the bagger.

 

[surfran]

Last is the new hole location in the bagger leg mounts. I drilled it based on the height of the one on the left side (side without blower) so I had to lift the right side to put the pin in. I wanted it level when installing but it always sags on the right with the extra weight once installed.