FEL on B7500

skgolfer · May 29, 2001

I'm about to buy a B7500 with 60" belly mower and I want the 302 loader. A couple of dealers said no problem and one said that you can't put a 302 on the B7500 with the belly mower and that you have to use a 272 FEL. Does anyone know the real "scoop". Thanks.

newtrac

GlueGuy · May 29, 2001

Maybe not a lot of help, but I have a B7500HST with the larger loader. I don't have a belly mower, but this is the first time I've heard of such a restriction. Can the dealer be more specific? I presume that s/he thinks that the subframe for the 302 loader somehow interferes with the mower?

The GlueGuy

CJC2710 · May 29, 2001

The one dealer who told you that you couldn’t put a 302 loader on with MMM doesn’t have a clue! The 302 and 272 are the same loader with the exception that the 302 is run at 200 psi more which gives it 65 pounds more lift capacity (660 vs. 595) and it has the grill guard standard. Your call, most folks like the grill guard.

Good luck!

Shad · May 30, 2001

I have the exact setup that you are looking at, B7500, 302 FEL and 60" mid mt mower, no problems using the FEL and mmm at the same time. Only problem I had was the width setting of the rear wheels, with the mmm the wheels have to be on the narrowest setting, or they rub the anti-scalp rollers. With the wheels at the narrowest location, using the FEL with a full load can be a bit tricky, I turn mine over on it's side tonight. Thank goodness I had the grill guard, not a scratch on the tractor (or me either).

Anonymous Poster · May 30, 2001

I have the same setup - B7500HST with 60" mid mount mower
and LA302 FEL. They are compatible; you can have them both on the tractor at the same time (and both are fully
operational).

I also have a front mount snowblower. The hardware for the snowblower has to come off to put the mid mount mower hardware on, but that was a simple matter of bolting and
unbolting. Only have to do that twice a year.

Anonymous Poster · May 30, 2001

I also have the same setup on a B7500, mid mount mower w/ FEL and have no problem using both. However, it is a lot easier cutting w/o the FEl. And it is so easy to remove!. The mid mount on the other hand is a little more time consuming.

What brand of front mount blower do you have?. and approximately what did it cost.

jsace · May 30, 2001

Newtrac,

I don't think your dealer knows what he's talking about! I have that same setup. I have the B7500 with the LA302 loader and a 60" belly mower. I have not had a problem using either one. You can mow with or without the loader on. It goes on fairly easy. Takes just a couple minutes to put the mower deck on. The belly mower does a very good job mowing!

Jim

skgolfer · May 30, 2001

Thanks everyone for the input. I'm stickin' with the 302.

Anonymous Poster · May 31, 2001

Front mount blower is a Kubota B2660 - cost was $2,781.

It is easier to cut without the FEL; much smoother ride. I kept in on the first time I mowed because
the former owner had alot of piles of rocks in the yard for some reason, so I stuck them in the FEL
as I mowed.

The mower deck is basically easy to take on and off; it's just kind of heavy. I have enough room in
my garage to do it, so having it on a level concrete floor makes it easy.

I actually leave the deck on when I'm using the FEL if I'm not going anywhere where clearance is an
issue, as it seems to add a little stability (I don't have any rear implements that I can use as a
counterweight).

kawallace · Jun 3, 2001

Another think to consider is stability with the belly mower and the 302 setup. With the tires moved in your center of gravity is changed and operating of hilly ground become an issue. So if you land is level this setup is fine however if your land is hilly you might want to consider a rear mower. After one mowing with a belly mount and watching the tilt meter heading to the red I exchanged the belly mower for a rear mount mower and had the tires moved out, and what a difference it made. My land is very hilly so safety was a key factor. Good luck, Wally