FEL on B7500

PapaRoakes · Jun 14, 2001

I have just purchased a B7500 with 302 FEL 60" mmm and turf tires, which is to arrive next week. After reading this thread I called the dealer to ask about the rear tire positioning as I want the widest setting possible for the FEL. He didn't think it was a problem with the 60" deck, only the 54". This obvously is NOT the experience of you folks out there using this set up. Does the problem occur when mowing or when mmm deck is raised or both? Is the 54" "economy" suspended deck worth looking at or does it have the same problem as well?

GlueGuy · Jun 14, 2001

Moving the tires in doesn't change the center of gravity. It does change the angle at which the CG will exceed the width of the tractor though.

Things that do lower the CG:

1. Adding ballast to the tires. (weights or fluid filled) Fluid filled is better because it is lower than weights.
2. Wheels/tires. Lower profile is better.
3. Suitcase weights. These could be even better if they could be slung under the chassis somewhere, but this could seriously interfere with clearance, and probably be a pain to take on or off.
4. Run w/o an operator. That dang operator sits way up high! If you could run the tractor w/o one that would really help the CG.

The GlueGuy

Anonymous Poster · Jun 14, 2001

Can I ask what you are paying for your tractor?
Where did you buy it? Bob

PapaRoakes · Jun 14, 2001

Thanks for the tips GlueGuy. I am getting the (rear tires) filled w/ calcium solution which helps both with ballast and, at least in my experience, bounce (rocking when picking up heavy items w/FEL). You're right about the operator being too high but it's just too hard reaching the pedals when strapped to the underbelly (reduces clearance too!)

PapaRoakes

p.s. Still curious on earlier questions on B7500 w/mmm and wide/narrow rear wheel issues if anyone knows.

PapaRoakes · Jun 14, 2001

Bryce, are you in the Southern Maine/New Hampshire area? Prices tend to vary substantially geographically.

GlueGuy · Jun 14, 2001

PapaRoakes,

Don't have a MMM, so I can't really comment. You can set the rear wheels pretty wide with a B7500. Not sure how far apart they'll get, but it might be pretty close to 56 or 58 inches..

The GlueGuy

apcaruso · Jun 21, 2001

Hi,

I have a 7500 with the 302 FEL and 60" mmm. As others have pointed out you can have them both on simultaneously. With bar-turf tires the wheels can be set in any position, including their widest, without interfering with the mower. The bar-turfs are shorter and wider than the turfs. One thing however, is to mount the mowing deck you really need to have the FEL on in order to lift the front end off the ground to get the appropriate clearance for the mower to slide under; otherwise, the front guage wheels hit the drive shaft. I do not know if this is necessary with the straight turf tires, however.

AC

dlc · Jun 21, 2001

apcaruso,

Your setup with bar-turf tires that allows for wide wheel settings while still accomodating the MMM is probably of a great deal of interest to persons considering the B7500 (like me). Could you post the make and size of your tires as read off the sidewall? Thanks in advance.

DLC

jsace · Jun 22, 2001

DLC,

I have a b7500 with the bar/turf tires. I have them set out as far as they can go without a problem with the 60" midmount mower. The tires are a Goodyear Xtra Trac 31x15.5 - 15NHS. I hope this will help.

Jim

PapaRoakes · Jun 22, 2001

apcaruso, First off, thanks for the valuable info. I just got a B7500 (w/ 60"MMM, 302FEL,Turf tires) and love the tractor but the right rear antiscalp prevents lifting the deck more than a few inches above "mowing height" so the mowing deck seems to catch every uneven piece of ground or rock, even when up. Just curious about how the bar turfs are on your lawn and if you have noticed much "scuffing", how do you think they are in mud/snow? Sure appreciate your post!

PapaRoakes