No more MMM back pain

[zmansmac]

I bought my B7500 9 years ago with a FEL and 60 inch MMM. This was my first experience with something bigger than a lawn tractor and and I've learned much from these forums. I've learned that Kubota at one time had decks that you drive over to install. I've also seen pictures of Kubota decks that have 4 corner wheels that all swivel making installation/removal much easier. My deck, unfortunately, is one that has 2 corner swivel wheels in front and 2 wheels together in the middle of the rear that do not swivel. I was younger and stronger in those early years with my Kubota and dragging the deck sideways under the tractor was not all that difficult. I know there are postings showing solutions that others have made for this problem, like a plywood pattern with casters, but I wanted a simple solution especially since storage space is at a premium. I ended up making a couple of brackets out of 1/4 inch stock that allow easy install and removal of small swivel casters. The brackets utilize the same 5 holes that the rear gauge wheel assembly bolts to the deck. The casters are 2 inch rated at 110 pounds each. They slide on the bottom of the brackets til they hit a stop and a stubby 3/8 bolt is then hand tightened to prevent the caster from sliding off. After the deck is mounted and raised the casters are easily removed. The gauge wheels must be in the number 1 or 2 position but the design can be modified for the casters to touch first in any gauge wheel position. Below are pics showing before and after pics along with pics of the brackets separately.

 

[Deano]

Pretty ingenious idea!! Looks great!:thumbsup:

Deano

 

[snpower]

Great job!! Why does Kubota no longer make drive over decks?

 

[zmansmac]

That's a good question snpower. And I don't know the answer; perhaps someone else does. If you take off the sheet metal guards on my deck and remove the 2 outer spindle zerks (so you don't puncture the tires) you could drive on my deck. But I don't know if any damage might occur from possibly bending spindles or pulleys. I've never seen a good picture of a drive on deck to tell if Kubota had any thicker metal guards to bridge the pulleys to prevent damage. I'm guessing, like most things nowadays, that it cost more for the drive on design and that is why they changed it.

 

[My Hoe]

zmansmac,

REALLY like your solution, involving adding "castoring wheels" to the deck!

Dumb Question: is it really necessary to take them off? Just wondering why they can't be in place, while mowing (can you tell I haven't mowed with my B3000 yet? LOL).

Also, really admire your fab-work! I have a welder, now, but no convenient place to weld (It's a MillerMatic 150 and sits in the corner of our kitchen, so I guess S.W.M.B.O. [She Who Must Be Obeyed] is pretty "easy" on me, huh? LOL.

I look forward to moving, where I can practice my novice welding skills, in a GARAGE, instead of the back porch/driveway.

Thanks again,

My Hoe

 

[The Fred]

No more MMM back pain

LOL I thought you bought a zero turn!

Fred

 

[LarJea]

Yeah, they still make drive over decks. My B2601 has a drive over 54" mower deck, but when I removed it last fall it was so easy to just pull it out by hand (on cement garage floor) that I never bothered with the drive over feature.

 

[My Hoe]

Yeah, they still make drive over decks. My B2601 has a drive over 54" mower deck, but when I removed it last fall it was so easy to just pull it out by hand (on cement garage floor) that I never bothered with the drive over feature.

I was not aware of any (current) "drive-over" decks offered by Kubota. Interesting....

 

[GPintheMitten]

I have a Kubota B2620 with a 60" drive over deck.

 

[Grandad4]

I have a BX and my cousin has a B2620 His deck is "drive-over" and mine is not. They are virtually the same basic design, but his has an extra pair of heavy gauge shields protecting the pulley mechanism when the front tires roll over the top of the deck. I think you also have to make sure the anti-scalp wheels are not supporting the deck as they wouldn't carry the additional load of the tractor.

 

[GPintheMitten]

The deck is supported by the wheels on the 4 corners.

 

[kubotaboyd]

B2301 with 54" driver over MMM. I haven't had the chance to try to remove it yet, or mow for that matter, but is supposed to be a drive over. You can sort of see the little ramps on top of the deck and at least one of the support wheels.

 

[Blue power]

My 2014 B2320 also has a drive over deck.

 

[rkidd]

Zmansmac. I have a new B2650 with 60" mmm. the deck looks identical to yours what I can see in your pictures. On mine you can take and lower and turn 90 degrees the left rear anti scalp roller to allow it to go sideways. It already had the holes in the shaft that holds the roller new from the factory. I then just lower the 2 front bogey wheels that the deck rides on when mowing to raise the front of the deck. I then raise the rear gauge wheels all the way up. This allows the deck to ride on these 3 wheels and it holds it up off of the right rear anti scalp roller so there is no restriction. I then lower deck, unhook all the pins that hold the deck on, unhook the pto shaft, turn the front tractor wheels all of the way to the right, and can easily pull the deck out the right side with one hand. It only takes a couple minutes start to finish. Not sure if yours is the same being 9 years older, but I thought I would share this as it might be able to help somebody. I am going to post a couple pictures with this and the deck is stand up along the wall for winter storage thus the angle of the pictures.

 

[JWR]

Great job!! Why does Kubota no longer make drive over decks?

Yes, those home-brew brackets are slick !

There are many Kubotas both new and old with drive-over decks. I've never figured out why Kubota chose to select the ones they do for the feature. Here are a few examples: (all are 60" decks)
First one is a BX2230 which has no provision for drive over but can be pulled out sideways. Note the corner wheels do not swivel. It needs those homebrew casters or similar.

View attachment 457439

Second one is a deck from my B2150 which you can see has swivel corner wheels and is a drive-over design. One of the problems with a drive-over is that you must secure the deck to keep it still while you get up on it. It scoots out from under you otherwise. I often use a a pair of 2x8 ramps or else tie it to a handy tree.
View attachment 457440

Third one is my BX2200. Note that it has spring-loaded posts (just like the 2230, probably same model deck) that prevent drive-over and wheels do not swivel. However, you can rotate the wheels 90 degrees and put the pins in to roll it sideways. I always just drag it out.
View attachment 457441

And finally, fourth is a new at dealer BX2320 in 2012, which is outfitted for improved drive-over with a gritty sandpaper pad in front and a small steel ramp in rear.

View attachment 457442

Note that ALL of the decks have the pulley covers plenty strong enough to support the tractor.

 

[rkidd]

By the way, I forgot to post what a great fab job you did on your mmm wheels. They look great! It is fun to weld and do any kind of fab jobs on your tractor or equipment. Well done.