Pulling the 54in mmm off the X595 - problems

[awlchu]

Over the weekend I was swapping out my 54in mowing deck for the winter. This was the first time I'd ever removed my deck.

I lowered the deck and removed the shaft drive. I then raised the deck and set the cut height to 5in, per the manual. So far so good,

The instructions say to rotate the deck wheels and lock them inplace to allow the deck to be pulled from either side of the tractor. Did that and lowered the deck and removed the front support and pulled the deck forward to release it from the rear lift arms. I then raised the arms and they stopped in the up position.

The problem is the top of the deck's gear box is still higher than the cut out out on the lift arms. I mean more than 1/4in!

Is this typical? Even if I manually lifted the rear lift arms (which would give me alittle more room) it still was not enough to clear the top of the gear box.

The only work around was the release the two deck wheels on one side (left side I think) until the outside edge of the deck was touching the ground. That gave me enough clearance to pull the deck out.

Seems so untypical when reading the instructions. Are there two sets of holes in the outside wheels to allow side to side sliding of the deck?

 

[JDFANATIC]

awlchu,

Though I'm not exactly familiar with the X (I did have a 425) the same problem crops up even with some 2210 owners. The lift arms slope from front to rear and if the mower deck is slightly rearward, the gearbox won't clear the arms, if you try maneuvering the deck forward some, it should help. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[beenthere]

One solution that works is to add air to the tires. The other, is to turn the front wheels so the deck will move forward a tad bit.

The quickest is to turn the front wheels.

Also, look at the adjustment links on the lift arms. They may be at the ends of the adjustment, meaning the mower deck doesn't lift all the way to the top as well. This also will get these arms out of the way of the gear box.
If you change these links (make them shorter) then you will also need to re-level the deck when it goes back on. That usually means adjusting the big nuts on the front 'bail' that holds the front of the deck level.

 

[awlchu]

It's nice to know that I'm not the only one that has seen this problem! /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

If I remember correctly, the rear lift arms had maybe 1/8in lift before the arms hit the solid stop on the frame. I'll go back and review it again.

Another idea:

Using a 2x12, I could place it under the rear wheels (across the machine left-right) and back over it. This will raise the rear end up enough to allow the gear box to clear the arms and not block the side of the tractor. This should be enough lift to allow the deck to slide out from under the machine.

Another question:

I noticed the mower height adjustment knob will turn indefinitely after the deck is removed. I thought it should stop at the 5in or 1in height setting. Is this the correct operation?

 

[glagen]

awlchu,
I have an X595 with a 62C deck. I have no trouble sliding the deck out using the same instructions. Sounds like your draft arms are not raising high enough, even when set at 5 inches. Might need to contact the dealer for service.
Steve Z

 

[awlchu]

JD Parts shows two different gage wheels for the 54in mmm for the same gage wheel location.

AM131289 s/n -40000
AM120681 s/n 40001-

(The other wheels have two pns as well, separated by tractor S/N?)

Does anyone know what the differences are between the two?

 

[beenthere]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( ........
Another question:
I noticed the mower height adjustment knob will turn indefinitely after the deck is removed. I thought it should stop at the 5in or 1in height setting. Is this the correct operation? )</font>

It is correct. There are 'steps' all the way around, and you can go past 5 right to 1.
Your board trick under the rear wheels sounds like an easy one too.
Another trick, to connect or disconnect the drive shaft, is to reach under the rear axle from the rear. Much easier than reaching over the deck ahead of the left wheel. Not sure if that is suggested way in the manual or not.

 

[awlchu]

beenthere,

Reaching under the rear axle is much easier and less strain on your elbow. I was very surprised how easy it was to release the locking collar and pull the shaft off the spindle. I thought to myself "hey, this is going to be easy...."...... I just jixed the entire effort! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[ArkCivEngr]

awlchu:

This is confusing. I have the 62C on my X495, and my deck removal instructions go like this:

1. Raise deck to highest position.
2. Park...
3. Turn gauge wheels to removal position.
4. Adjust mower height control knob to 1.5 in.
5. Push top hydraulic lever forward to lower deck to ground.
6. Remove PTO driveshaft.

The rest is disconnecting the front hanger bracket, the next-to-last step is raising draft arms, and the final step specifically says to slide deck out from the left side of the machine.

Sounds like my manual is a lot different than yours, but it shouldn't be. Is the serial number on the front page of your manual OMM146676 B2?

/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[awlchu]

ArkCivEngr,

It is probably the same manual. (I'm at work now.) Still the problem is the clearance between the gear box and the rear lift arms. The top of the box is ~ 1/4 in higher than the top of the notch when the gage wheels are put into the removal position.

I have a suspicion.... (unproven yet).

In the JD parts page, the 54in MMM has two different pns for the four gage wheels for the mower. The pns are separated by the s/n of the tractor. I wonder if the thru-hole for the removal position is drilled lower on the shaft thus allowing the deck to sit lower to the ground.