F2690 mower deck wheel question

[dapper]

Picked up a new F2690 a few days ago and can't wait to give it a workout.
It's a 2018 F2690, 2 wheel drive, with 60" RD deck.

Too cold here for now, but won't be long before I will need to use it.
Just familiarizing myself with controls and operations and found this thing on the front wheel is? Looks like a "detent" for the wheel?? Is this something new? Came from a ZD326, and nothing like this on that deck? No need really, and can't see a need on this one either. What am I missing?
Thanks.

 

[628pm]

First off welcome to the "F" club. You won't regret it. I came from a ZD326 also. If the picture reflects what you will be mowing looks like you could of handled a 72 inch mower. I looked in my manual couldn't find what the bolts were for, I thought someone said what they are for on the forum, but didn't see it.

I mounted a bluetooth waterproof radio on the left side of the mower so I could wear earplugs with noise cancelling and listen to the radio while I mow. Not too much you would want to modify on this rig, I might place a mirror on the left side since I mow the ditches on a country road for father in law.

Hope someone on the forum can tell both of us what the bolts are for.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Read thru a couple of pages of F and decks and wheels posts here on this TBN forum Kubota Lawn & Garden and you'll learn a lot about Fs but don't remember any info on the bolt being posted. I fyou mow other than smooth lawns you need to replace the front wheel pins with hardened steel bolts which is suggested by me in some past posts and why.

 

[Pete6114]

I had the same question.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-lawn-garden/385187-whats.html?highlight=

 

[corl]

It is in my manual: page 19. I have a F2100 It is a set bolt and is supposed to be adjusted when the front wheel starts to shimmy. You adjust the bolt to 7 mm from the base of the prominence to the bottom of the bolt head. I have been mowing with my deck for 29 years and have yet to have to adjust it.

 

[Pete6114]

Thanks Corl.

 

[628pm]

Thanks also Corl

 

[dapper]

628: Thanks. I have been around this site for a while now mostly reading and lurking. So much good info here! Chose my first ZD21 based on this site, so when I was looking for the ZD326, I also read everything I could on the 326's. Naturally, first place I turn to when researching the "F" was back here again. :thumbsup:
And yes, I thought long and hard about the 72" deck, but in the end went with the 60" as I know it will fit everywhere I need it to go.
Can I ask why you went from the 326 to the "F"??

Mr. Thomas: Have read everything you have written that I could find about the "F" series and the rear discharge is truly "your fault".
I look forward to trimming from both sides of the deck. Thanks to your posts, I also have cat 8 bolts for the front wheels ready to install when weather breaks. Thanks.

Corl: Thanks so much for your answer. I assumed it was some sort of detent arrangement, but I couldn't find anything in my manual (what there is of it) and I have been through it several times. Seems pretty elaborate arrangement for something so miner as shimmy. Glad to hear I won't be making adjustments for some time. Appreciate it.

Really looking forward to giving this thing a workout when the weather breaks. (snow here AGAIN )
Pretty much bought this thing sight unseen and untested, as there were NO dealers in my area that had one in stock. New or used, just none around to get a feel for using it.
My first Bota mower was the ZD21, and I loved that thing. Had it for 13 years, and it is still going strong at my neighbors. Moved up to a ZD326 and just never liked the thing from the start. I had it for 3 seasons of mowing and it did a great job of mowing, it just seemed much harder to control than the "21" did and I don't understand why?? Anyway I decided my rough ground "yard" needed the F for easier steering/riding, so we will soon see how all your recommendations turned out. LOL.

Really appreciate all the answers. :thumbsup:

 

[628pm]

Dapper, I went to the F from the 326 mainly for the 4wd. When i mowed ditches with the zd if it was a least bit wet I just as well have the rtv ready to pull me out. Then reading about the "f" series I thought I would always want one. Started mowing 4 acres each week for inlaws, thought this would be the time to get one. I was hesitant about the 72 inch deck, but again I thought why not. My biggest decision was rd or side discharge, but the side discharge would fit on the trailer I had, so went with that. Now with the mulching kit on I am real pleased, no grass clipping all over me when done. Don't know how it will be if the grass gets out of control, but I am very happy with the setup at this time. Added mirrors on the F this weekend to keep me from getting run over on the country road ditches I mow for the inlaws. On the front wheels I replaced mine with solid wheels when I purchased it from the dealer, also I just placed a pin through the top hole on the wheel, so no cat 8 bolts for me now.

 

[Pete6114]

It is in my manual: page 19. I have a F2100 It is a set bolt and is supposed to be adjusted when the front wheel starts to shimmy. You adjust the bolt to 7 mm from the base of the prominence to the bottom of the bolt head. I have been mowing with my deck for 29 years and have yet to have to adjust it.

Looked in my manual again just now and still cant find any reference to this bolt. (It's the F2690 Manual).

 

[corl]

I got my F2100 for the 4 wheel drive as well. I pull out my neighbor with his 326 about 3-4 times a year using my MX5100. I have pulled out my F2100 about 3 times in 29 years of use. Everything can get stuck and good judgement is critical.

 

[jcummins]

Dapper, I went to the F from the 326 mainly for the 4wd. When i mowed ditches with the zd if it was a least bit wet I just as well have the rtv ready to pull me out. Then reading about the "f" series I thought I would always want one. Started mowing 4 acres each week for inlaws, thought this would be the time to get one. I was hesitant about the 72 inch deck, but again I thought why not. My biggest decision was rd or side discharge, but the side discharge would fit on the trailer I had, so went with that. Now with the mulching kit on I am real pleased, no grass clipping all over me when done. Don't know how it will be if the grass gets out of control, but I am very happy with the setup at this time. Added mirrors on the F this weekend to keep me from getting run over on the country road ditches I mow for the inlaws. On the front wheels I replaced mine with solid wheels when I purchased it from the dealer, also I just placed a pin through the top hole on the wheel, so no cat 8 bolts for me now.

My exact same issue. After getting stuck 3 times on the next to last mowing I did with the ZD326, I told the wife....got to have something else. I drove quite a distance to pick up a used F3680 with 72" deck side discharge. I bought what I could fine, but was really wanting a rear discharge. I hope...this year....I can take the time to build a closable chute like the Grass Flap and others out there controlled with a switch. My mowing conditions dictated a change...wet areas...pond dams with slopes the Z could not handle. Yes, I've got the F series stuck....it downfall is the tires. I'd like to get better tires on it, but I've learned about how far I can go and haven't got stuck lately. I goes through wet areas that the Z didn't stand a chance.

For me...I wanted/needed a 72" deck, it really help cut into mow time. SO glad I upgraded.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I mowed a mostly flat area for several years with a F2680e 2wd RD and never got it stuck. I got down in a shallow ditch one time and thought I was stuck but pushed the diff lock for the first time and it just jumped out of the ditch. I traded to a ZD326 since I was mowing around 22 rental units and thought I'd see what the ZD guys were pushing. It did better around the units but beat me and my replacement son in law mower to death at any speed on the field while jerking one hand or th eother trying to keep it going straight soooo back to a F3080 4wd. Got the 4wd F3080 stuck in the back corner swamp area where everything drained to and had to have a tenant pull me out. I guess I did go deeper into the wet area thinking I couldn't get stuck with 4wd than I had done with the 2wd F. WRONG!!!! The 4wd Fs turf tires just packed with mud and became like balloons and just set on top of the muddy swamp and spun. I've never gotten the F3080 stuck on my home hill side property but I don't have any swamp areas that don't have down hill slope so mostly all dry land but some is really steep and the 4wd F is like a mountain goat especially with the diff lock pedal pushed.

 

[628pm]

For me the 4wd is just a little added protection on the ditches. 4wd is not a miracle cure for getting stuck. In our area you see these idiots flying down the snow covered roads, then you see them off the road stuck because of their driving. Everything has it limitations. But I don't think I will be stuck in a ditch because it is a little wet (at least I hope).

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

For me the 4wd is just a little added protection on the ditches. 4wd is not a miracle cure for getting stuck. In our area you see these idiots flying down the snow covered roads, then you see them off the road stuck because of their driving. Everything has it limitations. But I don't think I will be stuck in a ditch because it is a little wet (at least I hope).

As long as the tires don't load up with mud making them slicks you'll probably never get stuck.

 

[dapper]

Guys, I know I read a post about a someone adding a rear ball hitch for the F, but dang if I can find it again. Search didn't help. May have been about rear weights being reversed...??? Anyone have any insight?
Thanks.