Mowing kubota RC60 - 24B mower deck

[Anonymous Poster]

When mowing on very soft sod, my mower tears up the sod. I'm sure there are adjustments to prevent this. My problem is I bot the tractor and mower used - and have no manual. Any advise on adjustments or finding manual?

 

[Mikemas]

Are you speaking of the blades scalping OR are the gauge wheels digging into the soft ground?

Mike

 

[Anonymous Poster]

The gauge wheels dig into the ground. The deck is set fairly high from the lawn.

 

[bpence]

I don't think there's much you can do until the ground gets a bit firmer. I have the same basic 60" deck on my B7100, and the deck runs on the guage wheels, meaning the guage wheels are supporting the full weight of the mower deck. If the ground is soft, they're going to sink in. Just have to wait a little longer until things dry out.

Bob Pence

 

[cowboydoc]

In my john deere manual it says that the gauge wheels are not supposed to support the whole weight of the mower deck. They are set so that when you go over uneven terrain it keeps the deck at the same mowing height. To adjust mine there is a knob under the driver's seat and then you can adjust the gauge wheels separately with a pin and cotter key.
I don't think that on even ground your gauge wheels should be digging in.

 

[MJB]

I agree with cowboydoc. I just set up the mower deck on my 4300 and the manual clearly states that the gauge wheels should be set so that they are about 1/4" to 1/2" off the ground when the tractor is parked on a flat and level surface and the deck is set at the desired cutting height. The wheels should only touch the ground when travelling over rough terrain. Hope this helps.

Fugitive from the Cubicle Police

 

[Mikemas]

I agree with the others that the mower deck should be supported from the tractor with a little assistance from the gauge wheels for uneven ground. There is a black sticker on the newer Kubota decks that gives the pin locations for all the gauge wheels and rollers for any desired height. I set up the RCK60 deck on my B2710 on my garage floor. Set your rollers and gauge wheels to the desired height, raise the deck sightly, and note the number of the three point position control. Then, set your lock nut for your position control so you can return to the same level every time. This will give you an excellent cut, and also hangs some weight under the tractor if stability on hills is an issue.
Good luck and good mowing,

Mike

 

[Anonymous Poster]

This has been so helpful. Last year I had nothing but trouble cutting up the lawn with the full weight of the mower on the gauge wheels. I didn't even realize there was a lock nut to assure lowering the deck to the same position each time. Thanks!! Guess I'll go out and start mowing (southern Michigan)

 

[bpence]

I don't know guys. I checked the manual on my RC 60 deck and the guage wheels are the height adjustment. All references to height adjustment are made with the wheels on the ground, not suspended. May be worth a call to a local Kubota dealer to see how the particular deck sets up with your tractor. My B7100 - 1995 vintage is clear about the guage wheels carrying the weight of the deck.....they've also got zirc fittings on the wheels and the shafts. When I first bought mine I called the original selling dealer, asked about the guage wheels, and was told they roll on the ground and be sure to keep things greased. Maybe newer Kubota mid-mount decks are suspended differently.

I also have a JD 316 with a 50" deck, and that one is adjusted so the guage wheels are about 3/8" off the floor. Instructions were also really clear that the deck is set up that way.

Bob Pence

 

[cowboydoc]

May be that they are different Bob. I haven't ever had a kubota so not really sure there.

 

[PaulT]

I have an old brochure of a 7300HSD. On the back page is a little box with some mid-mount mower specs. It says that the adjustment of the cutting height for the RCK60-24B mower deck is made by gauge wheel setting. Hope this clears things up. BTW, when I asked about this issue before I decided for a mid-mount vs a rear, the dealer suggested that I could set the cutting height, but diring the wet season I could just suspend the deck from the hitch using the pto position control. I'm not sure if this will affect the deck and/or mounting points over time due to wear, but its worth a try.

PaulT
Soon to be the pround owner of a brand spankin' new Kubota 2710

 

[skent]

Orange uses the gauge wheels to support the entire weight of the deck. The tractor should not be supporting the weight of the deck at all. There are two gauge wheels on the front on each side (swivels), and a double gauge wheel at the rear of the deck in the center. Additionally, there are two "anti-scalp" wheels on the rear of the deck on each side, and a third anti-scalp wheel in the front center (now you should be TOTALLY CONFUSED). The gauge wheels support the deck and the anti-scalp wheels should 'float' 1/2" above the ground.

Steve
"Amateurs built the Ark. . . . . . . .Professionals built the Titanic"

 

[MReeter]

Guys,I have to agree with Mike.When we bought our B2150 with 72" mid-mount mower,I was having trouble with the deck wanting to "sag" in the center of the mower.This was in 1994,I asked the lead mechanic at our dealership for his advice,by the way he's been working on Kubotas since 1976,and his reply was to set the deck up EXACTLY as Mike has discribed.He said it will not harm the linkage to carry some of the weight of the deck.Well,I went home and made the adjustments,set the stop on the 3-point,and the mower performed perfectly,as level a cut as you could ask for.Since then we have a B2710 with the same deck,and I set it up the very same way,with the same results.The gauge wheels still roll on the ground all the time,but they carry a lot less weight.We bought a BX2200,and started mowing with it about 3 weeks ago,it has a "true" suspended deck,a design I think Kubota robbed from Deere.Regardless,the gauge wheels on the deck simply keep it from scalping.

 

[Bayrat]

You have probably solved your problem by now, however I had the same thing happen on my new 2910 and wanted to share it. I owned a TC29 prior to this with a full floating deck and did not have the sod tearing problem.The reason I beleive this happens other than damp soil is the difference in rear wheel configuration. The N/H has a narrow double rack on the rear of the deck that pivots with the deck, while the Kubota has heavy duty corner mounted gauge wheels that swivel (at least on the 72" decks). I encountered the sod tearing problem when changing direction from forward to reverse on uneven ground. The dealer suggested what others have mentioned here already, take a bit of the weight off the wheels by setting the control a bit higher, making it a suspended deck in essence /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif. That will work, it also will limit the travel of the deck and on uneven ground, effecting the quality of the cut. My 4100 did not provide nearly as good a cut as a full floater does except on perfectly flat ground. I found that over greasing the gauge wheels will tighten them up on the shaft exacerbating the sod tearing problem. Also, check the tolerance of the wheels on the shaft as it pertains to the washers and cotter pin that holds them in place. I found the mechanism to be extermely tight and by inserting a smaller pin, relieved some pressure on the gauge wheel allowing it to spin freely. I am sure in time this would have corrected itself due to normal wear on the assembly, but I was able to elimimnate the sod tearing completely without suspending the deck at all. Also, in looking at the 72" Kubota deck, I see no way that it would ever "sag" as mentioned in this thread.

 

[PowerMax]

Bayrat,

Since you've owned all three (NH/JD & Kubota) - which one does the best job mowing? How did you manage to own all three models? Too small (4100), too big (TC29) and just right (2910)? Just wondering.

PowerMax

 

[Bayrat]

Powermax,

The N/H and Kubota are equally as good on various type of terrain. The Deere does not do as well due to the suspended deck that does not follow contours as closely, a minor difference though. And you are correct, the 4100 was a bit too small for my needs. As for the N/H, I had planned on keeping through retirement, but due to the number of problems that kept developing over a year and a half, decided to go back to Kubota.

 

[PowerMax]

Thanks, Bayrat. I'm in a similar situation. The TC21, 4100 and 7500 are just a little too small and not enough hp for my needs. I really liked the TC25/29, but am very concerned about the 2500# wieght and maneuverability around the obstacles in my yard. I have some areas with some very uneven terrain, swails, steep banks, etc. The B2910 seems to be an excellent compromise for me. I have also been checking out the Agco ST30 to complicate matters. Any suggestions???

PowerMax