Kubota F2880 - 60 deck gear box and center spindle

[cstamm81]

Hi guys, I致e been running my 3,000 hour F2880 for mowing about 5 acres the past two years. It痴 been a great machine, very nice to operate. It has the 60 side discharge deck. A few weeks back, I hit a large piece of oak firewood that my dog likes to carry around. I noticed some increased deck noise after the impact, but lazily did not inspect closely. I mowed with it yesterday, and noticed the noise was louder. Upon inspection I can wiggle the center blade up and down, and I can see the deflection where the center spindle interfaces with the gear box.
There is a light coating of oil on the pulley below the gear box. To me, it looks like I took out the gear box and the center spindle.
Anyone have experience replacing these parts? A quick search looks like the gear box itself is about a grand... my local Kubota dealer is very expensive to use for repairs. I need to get the mower operational, lots of mowing left to do this season. There痴 a local used deck for 2 grand. I致e always wanted one of the Peruzzo flail decks for this machine, but wasn稚 really ready to drop over 4 grand. Peruzzo Teg Special Front Mount Flail Mowers for Kubota Mowers -- Iowa Farm Equipment

Looking for opinions on price and difficulty of repair. I知 rough on this mower, I have a ton of walnut trees and my lawn is no golf course, so hitting large sticks and anything else you can imagine happens all the time, hence the idea of the flail.

 

[628pm]

I can't help with your problem, but I can tell you I would like one of those mower decks.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I've owned 4 Kubota F mowers. My latest one I've owned for a month. My most recent past one, a F3080, dropped one of the bolts on the top or side of the gear box and I didn't notice it. I finally noticed it when it dropped the second one and started making noise. The gear box was dry. I replaced the not cheap bolts and it leaked so added super heavy grease from Tractor Supply. Didn't work. Had to have dealer fix it which cost around $800 for the gear box which had reamed itself out while spinning that spindle for who knows how long. The gears were able to be reused. I'd say get that gear box off and take to dealer or take the deck in and see if they can repair a shaft or gear before destroying the gear box if possible.
If you go with the off brand flail mower keep us posted.
I did some posts concerning my issue with my gear box starting maybe two years ago here on TBN.

 

[cstamm81]

Thanks for the reply JOHNTHOMAS. It sounds like it would be worthwhile to take it into my dealer and get a quote to repair. I do believe that Peruzzo flail would be perfect for my varied cutting needs, like I said I just wasn't ready to spend the dough to try it out. I actually wanted to try and find a nice 3680 so I could run the larger flail in the future. Your posts assured me I was making a good decision when I picked up this F2880, these F machines are very well engineered to be sure!

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Thanks for the reply JOHNTHOMAS. It sounds like it would be worthwhile to take it into my dealer and get a quote to repair. I do believe that Peruzzo flail would be perfect for my varied cutting needs, like I said I just wasn't ready to spend the dough to try it out. I actually wanted to try and find a nice 3680 so I could run the larger flail in the future. Your posts assured me I was making a good decision when I picked up this F2880, these F machines are very well engineered to be sure!

I was at Barlows yesterday and he still has my 240 hours trade in F3080 72" deck sitting on his lot and ready to roll out for a new owner, he said. I know the deck has a new gear box.

 

[cstamm81]

Is the 72" deck rear discharge? Any idea what they are asking for it? I've been keeping my eye out for a 72" rear discharge, they don't seem to pop up very often.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Is the 72" deck rear discharge? Any idea what they are asking for it? I've been keeping my eye out for a 72" rear discharge, they don't seem to pop up very often.

It is a 72" rear discharge deck with a new gear box and deck belt. Call and ask to speak to Steve Barlow and the best time is around 11am eastern standard time. I bought the machine new and the true hours are around 240+-.

 

[arto98607]

..................................................... Upon inspection I can wiggle the center blade up and down, and I can see the deflection where the center spindle interfaces with the gear box.
There is a light coating of oil on the pulley below the gear box. To me, it looks like I took out the gear box and the center spindle..........................................

Sorry to hear about your mishap.

It is obvious this type of damage where the center spindle and the gearbox are both damaged at the same time could never happen in the older design like shown the enclosed photo of F3060 72 inch deck.
(In the older design the gearbox and spindle bearings are identical tapered roller type and are the exact same same as common trailer wheel bearings)


No doubt the new mowers are better in many ways, but they are not easier to repair and maintain.


Oh well, I guess that goes for most all equipment from cars to mowers etc. :confused2:



1996 - 2005 F3060 72" deck with separate gearbox / center spindle:


2006 - 2007 F2880 60" deck with gearbox / center spindle "combo":

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Is the 72" deck rear discharge? Any idea what they are asking for it? I've been keeping my eye out for a 72" rear discharge, they don't seem to pop up very often.

It is a 72" rear discharge deck with a new gear box and deck belt. Call and ask to speak to Steve Barlow and the best time is around 11am eastern standard time. I bought the machine new and the true hours are around 240+-.

Another TBN poster said he'd like to buy a 72" deck if one could be found. I was at Barlows paying for my ZD1211 purchase and told him about the person hunting a deck. Steve Barlow said he would sell the 72" RD deck off my trade in for $2250. He currently has 3 low hour used Fs in stock!!!!

 

[cstamm81]

Another TBN poster said he'd like to buy a 72" deck if one could be found. I was at Barlows paying for my ZD1211 purchase and told him about the person hunting a deck. Steve Barlow said he would sell the 72" RD deck off my trade in for $2250. He currently has 3 low hour used Fs in stock!!!!

From what i have seen, that is not a bad price at all! I would be tempted to buy it to replace my 60", but I'm saving every penny for a pole barn this Fall. I appreciate all of the feedback here guys. I did take it to my local Kubota dealer last week, they inspected it and said that only the center spindle was damaged, not the gearbox. They just called and said it was ready for pickup, so I will get it and see what's going on. My late 80's Steiner with a 48" deck needs a break, it's not up to cutting 6 plus acres these days.

My worry is this, I can't understand how there could be noticeable deflection in the gearbox, plus the presence of a small amount of gear oil, and the gearbox not be damaged. Any gearbox I have ever dealt with was damaged if you could essentially wiggle the output shaft! I'm hoping I'm wrong, but I'm worried they missed the gearbox. I will explain my fears, and see what the counter person says, obviously I'll try to talk to an actual tech! Fingers crossed she is good to go and I'll do my best to avoid hunks of oak firewood, can hopefully get a few years out of this rig!

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

From what i have seen, that is not a bad price at all! I would be tempted to buy it to replace my 60", but I'm saving every penny for a pole barn this Fall. I appreciate all of the feedback here guys. I did take it to my local Kubota dealer last week, they inspected it and said that only the center spindle was damaged, not the gearbox. They just called and said it was ready for pickup, so I will get it and see what's going on. My late 80's Steiner with a 48" deck needs a break, it's not up to cutting 6 plus acres these days.

My worry is this, I can't understand how there could be noticeable deflection in the gearbox, plus the presence of a small amount of gear oil, and the gearbox not be damaged. Any gearbox I have ever dealt with was damaged if you could essentially wiggle the output shaft! I'm hoping I'm wrong, but I'm worried they missed the gearbox. I will explain my fears, and see what the counter person says, obviously I'll try to talk to an actual tech! Fingers crossed she is good to go and I'll do my best to avoid hunks of oak firewood, can hopefully get a few years out of this rig!

Great for you. There may have been a seal/gasket/bearing around the spindle where it connected to the gear box that was causing the leak/drip and that probably was replaced with spindle as a common practice and not mentioned.

 

[cstamm81]

Great for you. There may have been a seal/gasket/bearing around the spindle where it connected to the gear box that was causing the leak/drip and that probably was replaced with spindle as a common practice and not mentioned.

The service manager explained to me that the output shaft on these gearboxes are designed so that you can move the output shaft as I explained. The spindle below supports it, which explains why I could see deflection in the output shaft when the spindle was shot. I test mowed for about 20 minutes and everything seems good! I'm very glad to be wrong about the gearbox, and I'm very happy to have my F back for all of my weekly mowing. I've had and operated about every type of mower out there over the years, these F's are the most comfortable and robust machines I have ever operated. I'd love to find a plow for mine, they apparently plow snow extremely well.

 

[arto98607]

The service manager explained to me that the output shaft on these gearboxes are designed so that you can move the output shaft as I explained. The spindle below supports it, which explains why I could see deflection in the output shaft when the spindle was shot. I test mowed for about 20 minutes and everything seems good! I'm very glad to be wrong about the gearbox, and I'm very happy to have my F back for all of my weekly mowing. I've had and operated about every type of mower out there over the years, these F's are the most comfortable and robust machines I have ever operated. I'd love to find a plow for mine, they apparently plow snow extremely well.

Here's two images showing the gearbox / center spindle design in detail.

Item 12 (What they call "Center Pulley Holder") is more or less the spindle housing and item 8 (Ball Bearing) also acts as a gearbox output shaft outer bearing.

I.E. The spindle shaft and the gearbox output shaft are one piece.

With this design they eliminated one or two pulleys and are able to drive three blades with quite a bit shorter V-belt. However, it does make the gearbox / center pulley "combo" more complicated.

:indifferent:

 

[cstamm81]

Here's two images showing the gearbox / center spindle design in detail.

Item 12 (What they call "Center Pulley Holder") is more or less the spindle housing and item 8 (Ball Bearing) also acts as a gearbox output shaft outer bearing.

I.E. The spindle shaft and the gearbox output shaft are one piece.

With this design they eliminated one or two pulleys and are able to drive three blades with quite a bit shorter V-belt. However, it does make the gearbox / center pulley "combo" more complicated.

:indifferent:


View attachment 615551 View attachment 615552

Thanks for the drawings, that is very helpful to see how it's all assembled. I really should spend the money and buy a repair / parts manual for this machine!

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Thanks for the drawings, that is very helpful to see how it's all assembled. I really should spend the money and buy a repair / parts manual for this machine!

Doubt you'll ever do much reapir to your F but I know some people love to have repair manuals. I would have bought over 25 of them in the past 15 years if I had been buying them. Most info is available on line for those who want to save a few or many bucks. And there is always TBN.

 

[arto98607]

..................................... I would have bought over 25 of them in the past 15 years if I had been buying them. Most info is available on line for those who want to save a few or many bucks. And there is always TBN.

Yes I agree this site and others are very helpful.

I am the opposite; I bought year 1986 Ford 1310 tractor in 1996, year 1959 John Deere 440 ICD (Diesel) bulldozer in 2000, and year 1993 Grasshopper 61 inch RD mower in 2003 and still have them and use them regularly.

For me shop manuals have been very important and helpful in maintaining these and I have never taken either to a shop for repairs.
(Just imagine first time trying to set up rebuild injectors in a 1959 Detroit Diesel, without a shop manual!)


Probably not much need for shop manuals for those who trade in or sell every few years and rely on shops for major repairs.

:thumbsup:

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Yes I agree this site and others are very helpful.

I am the opposite; I bought year 1986 Ford 1310 tractor in 1996, year 1959 John Deere 440 ICD (Diesel) bulldozer in 2000, and year 1993 Grasshopper 61 inch RD mower in 2003 and still have them and use them regularly.

For me shop manuals have been very important and helpful in maintaining these and I have never taken either to a shop for repairs.
(Just imagine first time trying to set up rebuild injectors in a 1959 Detroit Diesel, without a shop manual!)


Probably not much need for shop manuals for those who trade in or sell every few years and rely on shops for major repairs.

:thumbsup:

Yep, makes more sense for you to buy a shop manual than for me. I do what repairs that have been needed so far, mostly other than one time bent FEKL arms under warranty and replace the gear box on deck, not under warranty. At 72 I'm enjoying doing repairs less and less and that's juts one of the reasons I trade often. Another is I love trading and something new.