Mowing Mmm quick disconnect not so quick

[SrChf]

Guys, I am having a helluvatime attaching my mmm. The blasted quick disconnect collar is really pissing me off. 1) you pull the collar back and it barely holds. The slightest movement and it snaps back closed locking in the 3 ball bearings. 2)I have short arms as it is, but trying to reaching in under the bx25 to connect the collar onto the knurled PTO shaft blind is an exercise of near futility 3) once I do get the teeth lined up between the QD collar and the PTO shaft (after the blasted thing snapping closed about a hundred times in the process) it jams at the bearings. For whatever reason the bearing seem to be stuck and don't easily depress in to allow the QD to slide in all the way and clamp down. I disassembled the thing (easy, one snap ring and ur in) and cleaned it up, thinking maybe dirt/grime was clogging up the works but no go. Same trouble after cleaning and reassembly.

Question. Does my collar sound broken? The whole unit is only a few months old. Is this the way all of your mmm connect process goes? It is really making me regret not just spending the $2700 on a standalone mower. Help?

 

[David s Von Gieserbrechta]

Yep thats the way it's supposed to work, mines the same, five gallons of frustration for 1 pint of satisfaction. It really makes removing the mower for blade sharpening and cleaning a pain but what yuh gonna do.

I've done it Sooo many times that I normally get it done in about fifteen minutes but there are times when NOTHING lines up just right and then it's MILLER TIME.

 

[Rusty]

Does my collar sound broken? Is this the way all of your mmm connect process goes?

SrChf - Your description of the mmm pto attachment sounds like what I go through with my B7500. Don't dispair, things will get better! The last time I installed my mmm the pto collar snapped on the first try. My problem is getting the collar and shaft splines to line up. Almost any movement of the collar causes it to snap back to the lock position.

For me, this has become a two hand job. Try holding the mmm pto shaft just in front (toward tractor front) of the collar with your right hand. With your left hand pull the collar back and rotate it until it holds position, then without touching the collar, gently push the mmm shaft onto the tractor shaft while slowly rotating the tractor shaft with your left hand until the collar snaps on. Of course, don't try this with the engine running!

 

[wpabx2230]

If you think it's bad hooking up the shaft for your mower deck, you should try the quick attach setup for a front mounted snow blower. It's the same problem with no room for your hands to push the shaft over the splines. VERY FRUSTRATING!!

 

[zzvyb6]

I'd guess that its full of dirt or grime. Soak it in a very liight oil (WD-40) to free up all the parts and it should pop on and release. You have to push it on far enough to engage the locking ring. (But you already knew that, right?)

 

[SrChf]

Thanks for the responses fellahs. Wow. I gotta say, if that is the way this has been engineered then this is a pretty big fly in an otherwise pristine ointment that is BX25. I am amazed there isn't more of a ruckus from the community over this. ( Read: I can't find a single post complaining of it - lol. [am I that much of a wuss?]) I mean, It's obscene how hard it is to connect the **** mower. I spent over an hour in the oppressive heat, on my hands and knees trying to get this thing to click into place. It eventually got dark and I gave up...and now that you mention it, had a beer. Two actually.:drink: This collar definitely needs to be on the re-work list for the BX26 (assuming there will be such an animal).

Anyone know of a Kabota or even 3rd party part that can be bought to replace this thing for some other (better) method of connecting the two?

 

[zzvyb6]

My John Deere shafts (1070 mmm and F-935 mower) go on by feel without even having to look at them. They actually slide on a ways first before the locking balls engage. You give it a twist. shove it on all the way, release the collar and pull the shaft as far back as it will go, usually with a click. That ensures the shaft is on safely. Done. I don't recommend the beers until you are all done mowing. Some people can get really careless when they flex their wrists....

 

[kevinj]

I have no issues putting mine on. The shaft will start with the collar in the locked position, then pull it back and slide it home. this is a one hand operation.

It also helps to attach the shaft while the mower is slid off to the right side.

 

[KU Gator]

I find the issue to be about the same when hooking up to the rear PTO. The difference is you have more room to work, not laying on the ground with your arm extended, and can get two hands on it. Hooking up the MMM on the B models is a little easier because there is more room between the mower and the bottom of the tractor and the ground and the tractor. I usually make an attempt or two from the side. If it doesn't on go on pretty easily, I slide under the tractor from the rear and can then get two hands on it.

 

[mozark]

2 thinks that have helped on my BX2350 is to move the lever that selects rear - both - mid pto to the rear so that the mid pto shaft turns freely and when you roll the deck under the tractor, stop a little short and hook up the pto while the deck is still on the ground and not all the way under the tractor. I think you have more room that way.