Center MMM cover, Did they forget ?

[joes_427_vette]

My 60" MMM for the 4110 has an open center location on the top side . All the grass clippings fall in here and when washed out tend to knit together as they can not be flushed from the low spots.
While preparing the mower for its winter nap I made a card board template for a third cover to close this area off. I plan to bend up some sheet metal and make a cover for this location as one of my winter projects. Did John Deere forget to make the cover or wasn't there enough profit in the 2k plus attachment to warrent this ?

When I asked JD about the metric nuts and washers for the other 2 top covers they said they were not required and would not be supplied. Then why did they use bolts with threads rather than guide pins. I bought / installed the metric nuts and washers eliminating alot of rattles in the mower operation.

Another reason to build my own loader. John Deere would engineer it so half the required pieces wouldn't be necessary, but later owner applied. 3k for a loader..... do they have to make it all on one attachment ? Their dose of reality is now present in the economy.

 

[mfreund]

I think the opening is for airflow. Have you ever touched the pulley's when you get done mowing?? My 72" deck pulleys gets hot (yes I grease the spindles and no they are not locked up) It may not start the loose grass on fire but then it might!! I also don't use water to flush out debris I use air, keeps it from clumping!!

 

[joes_427_vette]

With the belt friction I believe the pulley can get warm. How do you blow out the clippings with both ends closed ? I guess one could take the shields off at the end of the task but I would just as soon they didn't get in there in the first place. If heat was a problem then they could have incorporated a screen. No sense in engineering one step farther. After all the color is the heritage and selling point.

 

[mfreund]

My 72 has metal covers with latches on it. Very e-z to get off. I also have a 60' 7-iron that plastic covers and bolts Not so e-z. I have always thought the decks for deere could be easily improved but I guess the engineers do not use them!! If you have the skill try the shield and post pics and review. Deere has a habit of buying the better idea and you could be newly rich!!!! I also believe the JD green gets in your blood!!

 

[Engine_Tech]

I forget the ANSI regulations, but sometimes the belt guards have to be bolted on versus quick pins. I also know JD only installs shields where mandated by safety. Less is actually better, as there is almost no way to make a "trash proof" shield. My 1960's JD deck has a full top cover with only the pully sticking through and stuff still packs in there. When things are open you can blow them out.

 

[kennyd]

Joe,
I have been thinking about this since you brought it up...Today I made a center cover for my MMM and thought you might be interested...

You can view the pictures in my Picassa web album.

 

[Wayne_H]

Kenny: Nice work! Wonder why you used 14 gauge, no 1/4 hanging around!!!!!! I'll be curious how it works, and I'm still scratching my head why JD does not do that in the first place.

Wayne

 

[joes_427_vette]

Kenny;
Your the man. I test fitted a cardboard templete. I saw it resting on an old GTO a while back but figured winter will be back and I would have access to a plasma cutter. The summer flew by so quickly and I managed quite a few projects... just not this one. I still think it is a good idea and yours turned out great.
I did get the loader primed and painted

 

[kennyd]

WOW Joe, Nice job on that loader!

 

[KennK]

I always assumed that the side-only covers are to protect the driver from getting clothing or whatever caught-up on the belts, and that they feel that the underside of the tractor provides sufficient protection in the middle.

BTW, I can't imagine getting any clothing caught way down "there", but one never knows. Better safe than sorry.