BX1860 MMM -- SNAP! -- no longer lifts -- help diagnose please!

wrooster · Jul 23, 2011

Hi,

I have a 2010 BX1860 with the 54" MMM (the non-fine cut type). The BX has got just shy of 100hrs on it, and the MMM has been hanging off the tractor for I'd say half of that time. No problems to date.

For the past 3-4 months I've been cutting the grass using the MMM, as normal, with no issues there. Today I had to move some mulch from the driveway where it got dumped to various places around the yard. So I attached the LA203 FEL, and then attached the standard Kubota BX ballast box. The terrain where I would be going over to deliver mulch is level (and mainly turfgrass) so I didn't see any need to remove the MMM for this job.

After I attached the ballast box (it has PA field stone in it, which in total weighs about 250lbs + the weight the box), I remembered that I needed to lock the MMM at the "TOP" setting as marked on the knob. Note that the engine was just above idle, perhaps 1800-1900 RPM.

So I raised MMM deck, which of course raises the TPH as well (and it seems the TPH is a "priority" (?) in the hydraulic system because it comes up first before the MMM deck moves upward). The TPH hitch reached it's highest position, then the deck starting coming up, and then "SNAP" -- something either slipped off, or broke.

The MMM deck dropped to it former position (specifically, to where I cut the grass, which varies between the 3.5 or 4 markings on the cutting height adjustment knob). Thereafter the MMM deck could not be raised. I took a look underneath but did not see anything amiss (such as the deck hangers), nor was there fluid leaking anywhere. I manually horsed the MMM deck up a bit and got the adjustment knob more towards the "TOP" setting, but not quite there. At least the deck was more or less out of the way.

Following all this I moved 8 yards of mulch, which was uneventful, although it was terribly hot/humid today. The ballast box hanging on the TPH was raised and lowered several times without problem, and as I mentioned before it has some heft to it. The MMM deck however can not be raised. The engine/hydraulics do not make any type of straining sound.

It got too dark before I could take a better look. Tomorrow in the AM I will remove the MMM deck. What should I be looking at/for? Has anyone had this problem before?

Thanks,
Wrooster

bp fick · Jul 23, 2011

The old saying, "Steel don't heal" comes to mind. You audibly heard something, so at first light, you'll have to check it out. When stuff makes a noise, that's usually something coming apart, as you suspect. Sorry about your mishap.

kuboman · Jul 23, 2011

I am not up to speed on these units but is not the deck raised by the 3pt? Just guessing here but something got in the way of the mmm when it was being lifted and probably a linkage or pin broke.

OrangeRidge · Jul 23, 2011

Check the deck-lifting arm that's a part of the 3ph mechanism.
This is the first lifting point . There's no priority involved in
any of this movement , it's just a case of if the deck or
the rear hitch load is first to contact the lifting mechanism ..........

Cooldmax · Jul 23, 2011

On my BX2660 there is a pin that connects the linkage from the deck to an arm from the three point hitch on the left rear side of the tractor between the rear tire and the frame. There is a cheap clip on the pin that fell out on mine and caused this very same problem. If you have someone operate the three point hitch and watch (from a safe distance) you can observe the linkage and arm from the three point. My guess is you will find your problem here. Looks like OrangeRidge beat me to it.

wrooster · Jul 24, 2011

OrangeRidge said:
Check the deck-lifting arm that's a part of the 3ph mechanism.
This is the first lifting point . There's no priority involved in
any of this movement , it's just a case of if the deck or
the rear hitch load is first to contact the lifting mechanism ..........

THIS PLACE ROCKS. :thumbsup:

OrangeRidge, thanks for the pic, that is exactly where the problem is. Like Cooldmax described, the pin fell out. I spent 10 minutes walking in circles on the pebble driveway and low and behold I found the pin!!!

Now I need another washer and a suitable R-clip, but that's easily resolved at the local TSC.

Thanks folks for your help. Honestly my heart sank yesterday and I was envisioning a trip on the flatbed trailer to the dealer. Luckily it was much concern about nothing at all.

Regards,
Wrooster

radioman · Jul 24, 2011

sounds like the nut on the sliding/top lift adjustment broke off just like mine. Mine broke off last week after 4 years. prior to breaking off that day, the mower deck would bounce, bounce, bounce over the yard and I was wondering what the heck it was. I made a mental note that day to check it out and just before I put it away, I felt a snap!

Now I can't lift to top position, and I priced out the part from messicks and it was about 6 bucks. I have a wire feed welder and plan to weld it up this week when I get a free moment. I studied the nut that broke off and it was hanging on very little piece of weld and the there was alot of rust in rest of broken weld. I guess it been broken for a long time coming.

6 bucks for part and spend maybe an hour to replace or weld it that only takes 5-10 mins to do? :confused2:

radioman · Jul 24, 2011

wrooster said:
THIS PLACE ROCKS. :thumbsup:

OrangeRidge, thanks for the pic, that is exactly where the problem is. Like Cooldmax described, the pin fell out. I spent 10 minutes walking in circles on the pebble driveway and low and behold I found the pin!!!

Now I need another washer and a suitable R-clip, but that's easily resolved at the local TSC.

Thanks folks for your help. Honestly my heart sank yesterday and I was envisioning a trip on the flatbed trailer to the dealer. Luckily it was much concern about nothing at all.

Regards,
Wrooster