GC1705 MMM deck!

[loboracer]

GeneV I have had the same bending problem. I was surprised how easy it bent back. I was thinking that mine bent when I drove over the deck. Now I am super careful with that area.

 

[Imold]

Another trick that I have found works really well for the mid-mount PTO drive shaft - if you need to separate the two halves (maintenance/clean/lube), mark their orientation with a silver Sharpie or paint pen - the halves go back together much more easily.

That is what I was thinking of doing yesterday when I was out doing some loader work. Thanks.




Jim.

 

[irvingj]

Ditto on marking the shaft -- I did the same thing, since it will only fit one way. That was a bit of a surprise, but I suppose it's to keep the u-joints correctly aligned.

 

[GeneV]

GeneV I have had the same bending problem. I was surprised how easy it bent back. I was thinking that mine bent when I drove over the deck. Now I am super careful with that area.

I wouldn't rule that out, there's not much clearance there between inside edge of tire and that pin if it's pulled back and locked in detent.

 

[Imold]

I wouldn't rule that out, there's not much clearance there between inside edge of tire and that pin if it's pulled back and locked in detent.

I noticed how close the pin was right away to the front tire and put mine back in, I can see how a person could run over it when driving back on the deck, something to keep a eye on for sure.


Jim.

 

[GeneV]

Yeh, I also turn them in before driving over the deck. The manual outta be more specific about that.

 

[edgarrian]

So as I read your post. You rotate the pto on the mmm by using the belt? I just turn the shaft on the tractor with my hand. I put the pto on the tractor in neutral and turn it. So basically once I get the MMM hooked up. I grab the PTO and immediately try to marry it to the tractor. First attempt fails, I simply rotate the tractor PTO and try again. Once it slides on as far as possible. Seems to be about an inch before you have to pull back the mechanism for connecting. I use to pull that back right away but you don't need to. Just align it, slide it on, pull back mechanism, then slide the rest of the way.

You guys are making it harder than it really is. Trust me

Disconnecting the deck is no biggie. As for connecting, I never mess with the wheels (mine are set somewhere mid-height), I just leave them as is and drive the tractor over the deck with no problems. But connecting the shaft is the major league pia for me, it just flat out sux. The best method I found to mate the shaft with the pto is to rotate the shaft using the deck belt, that way it rotates the shaft very easy as opposed to having to rotate it by hand. When I feel it catches the splines of the pto, then comes the struggle pulling back on the snap ring to slide the shaft on. I haven't found a good technique to make this process easier, hopefully it will come to me.

One thing I found on the deck, the housing holding the slide pins can get bent a little from holding up the deck, off-setting the pin a little bit so that it doesn't line up perfectly with the hole in the tab it's supposed to go in. If you notice it's hard to pull those pins out when you're taking the deck off, it will be even harder to put them in fully when you're mounting the deck, and the following time they won't even fully engage with the tab...meaning your deck is not properly attached to the tractor. If you see that happening, the simple remedy is to hook a pry bar or something along those lines under the pin, using the fin (just underneath my thumb in that pic) as leverage. Just pry up on that pin, which will bend the housing it slides in enough to line it back up with the tab. The pic shows how the pin wasn't going fully in the tab until I bent the housing back into place.

View attachment 620053

 

[GeneV]

Ed, I'm sure you're right. I haven't got the technique down pat yet, still fairly green with this tractor. Are you using one hand for all that?

 

[cglaser104]

I'm with Ed here. I leave the tractor 2000 PTO out of gear so it spins freely by hand and roll it with a finger until the deck shaft marries up to it.

 

[coldsteelva]

edgarrian is correct. Marry the splines on the shaft to the mid-PTO first, then and only then pull back the collar, slide full-on, release collar, pull back to lock.

 

[edgarrian]

Yes I only use one hand. You need to put the tractor pto into neutral. So that it spins freely. Then grab the mower shaft and try sliding it on. Remember you do NOT have to pull back the mechanism to marry the two. It will slide on first, then pull back the mechanism to slide it on the rest of the way. IF the mower pto doesn't slide on right away. Just spin the tractor pto just a tad. I barely spin it and try again. The most its takin is 3 small turns. Spin is probably not the correct description. Turn it slightly. Id make a video of how I do but I'm away from home for work. I won't return for two weeks. Maybe someone else could provide a video.

I also pull back on it once its on so that it locks. Coldsteelva posted that and is correct. Always pull back on it.

Ed, I'm sure you're right. I haven't got the technique down pat yet, still fairly green with this tractor. Are you using one hand for all that?

 

[GeneV]

I'm gonna explain it the way I understand you do it, correct me if I'm wrong. You're holding the shaft from the deck with your left hand with your back 3 fingers, turning the pto spindle (in neutral) with thumb and index finger until you feel the shaft and spindle marry (slide on a little), and then you slide your hand back a little to grab the ring with thumb and index finger while the back 3 fingers are pulling the shaft onto the pto spindle?

 

[edgarrian]

I do not do all that at the same time. i use my left hand and grab the mower pto. I try sliding it on. If it doesn't slide on. I put the mower pto on the ground and use my left hand to turn the tractor pto a tad. Then I pick up the mower pto and try sliding it on. Fails again I repeat. Typically it doesn't take more than 3 times.

I'm gonna explain it the way I understand you do it, correct me if I'm wrong. You're holding the shaft from the deck with your left hand with your back 3 fingers, turning the pto spindle (in neutral) with thumb and index finger until you feel the shaft and spindle marry (slide on a little), and then you slide your hand back a little to grab the ring with thumb and index finger while the back 3 fingers are pulling the shaft onto the pto spindle?

 

[GeneV]

I'll try today (gotta mow if it don't rain), will report back.

 

[edgarrian]

Good luck. The way I have been doing it. I never think oh crap do i really need to take off the MMM. I don't even hesitate as I take mine off a lot. We have 8 acres of woods so I cut wood up a lot since we have a wood burner in the house. If I were you I would just undo my PTO and try the way I have described. You might do it successfully a few times. Once you get it down. Im sure it will be a huge relief

I'll try today (gotta mow if it don't rain), will report back.

 

[coldsteelva]

There is at least 1-inch of PTO in front of the locking groove in which to slide the shaft on. Then you can remove your hand completely - no weird feats of dexterity. Once it's there (the tractor is holding the weight of the shaft), you grip the collar, pull back and slide the shaft forward. I can do it one-handed, but kneel down and use 2 if necessary.