B2601 with FEL, BH, and Mower?

[Dontwannaflip]

Hi All,
I’m new to the site and returning to tractoring after many years’ absence. I haven’t been on a tractor since leaving the nest back in the mid ‘80s. As a young man back then I “knew everything” but now I won’t pretend to have the requisite knowledge to make the most of my intended purchase.

I’m in the market for a B2601 with FEL, BH70, and mower. The local Kubota salesman stated that the mounts for the Kubota MMM somehow interfere with the subframe for the BH and/or the FEL, which means the MMM was not going to work for me. He steered me to a rear mount PTO finish mower.

So, this brings me to my first question. Is this true that the MMM is not compatible with the FEL and BH on the B2601? Seems odd that this would be the case. (see pg 6 of the BH70 manual for example) I almost suspect that they have a higher markup on the Land Pride (FDR1660) RMM compared to the Kubota 60’ MMM. They quoted the same price for either unit.

I don’t strictly mind the RMM because it will probably work just as well for my needs, but I don’t want to feel like I’m being steered to a choice where I’m paying a higher markup for something that might not be the best for my needs. I want to be able to trust this dealer.

Any thoughts will be appreciated, thanks.

 

[sheepfarmer]

One way to pick up combinations of implements that will or won't work together or on a specific model is to build your own on the Kubota website. I am not sure if it catches all situations, but it does allow you to build a b2601 with fel, backhoe, and mmm. However, it may assume you don't mind taking off the subframe or something not very practical. Try asking another dealer to double check.

 

[pcham]

Check again with your dealer... I have. B 2601 with a FEL, BH70 and 60" belly mower ... No problems!


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[Dontwannaflip]

Good point Sheepfarmer, the website let me build the combination that included the MMM, but it might not be smart enough to catch problems.

Thank you Pcham, I'll definitely ask the dealer to double check the issue. Sounds like you have it working.

 

[1970cs]

Your dealer is mistaken! The deck can remain on the unit, but the deck has to be raised to the lock position, before removal of three point and mower linkage.

Pat

 

[Dontwannaflip]

I asked the dealer to check his statement and he clarified that the mid mount mower will work with the tractor's other attachments. The only catch is that the mower deck must be fully raised and can't be lowered when the BH70 is attached.

I'll be talking with him in more detail (when I can actually get over to the store) to get even more clarification.

In the meantime Pcham and 1970cs, is it your experience that simply removing the BH using the quick procedure (pages 21-23 of the BH manual) is all that is necessary to get full mower functionality? In other words, my dealer is not implying that I need to remove the BH70 and the subframe too?

I don't have a copy of the mid mount mower deck manual, so I don't understand how its height selection/control operates. Does the Kubota mid-mount mower somehow use the 3-point hitch links and lifting rods to raise/lower the deck? I ask because I want to be able to remove the BH and not reinstall the 3-point hitch linkages before using the mower deck.

Thank you guys, you are a reassuring source of information for me.

 

[1970cs]

Yes, typically the B series has a rod that goes to the rear and mounts to three point lower lift arm.

Locking the deck: Raise the deck all the way up. Change the mower height adjustment knob to lock (pad lock symbol)

Your sales person should have pointed this out during new owner orientation.

Pat

 

[Dontwannaflip]

Hi Pat,
I haven't actually completed the purchase yet. I assume new user orientation happens then. I need to get myself back to the store and set eyeballs on one of the machines again now that I've collected some questions and a better idea of what other people have encountered. I don't think they have a B2601/B2301 mower deck on the lot for me to look at though. They do have a bunch of BX25Ds and maybe the mechanism is similar.

 

[pcham]

I asked the dealer to check his statement and he clarified that the mid mount mower will work with the tractor's other attachments. The only catch is that the mower deck must be fully raised and can't be lowered when the BH70 is attached.



I'll be talking with him in more detail (when I can actually get over to the store) to get even more clarification.



In the meantime Pcham and 1970cs, is it your experience that simply removing the BH using the quick procedure (pages 21-23 of the BH manual) is all that is necessary to get full mower functionality? In other words, my dealer is not implying that I need to remove the BH70 and the subframe too?



I don't have a copy of the mid mount mower deck manual, so I don't understand how its height selection/control operates. Does the Kubota mid-mount mower somehow use the 3-point hitch links and lifting rods to raise/lower the deck? I ask because I want to be able to remove the BH and not reinstall the 3-point hitch linkages before using the mower deck.



Thank you guys, you are a reassuring source of information for me.

The same control lever is used to raise and lower the deck as is used for the 3 point hitch. But that should have nothing to do with the BH. I have mowed with the BH attached but it is not advised especially if you have rough terrain since that is a lot of extra weight bouncing around that can stress the tractor. When using the BH on rough terrain, the belly mower can get hung up so would best be removed if you are doing a lot of BH work.

As far as removing the BH - yes quick detach - not subframe - takes 5 minutes on and off. The mower has nothing to do with the 3 point hitch linkages. I run a root tiller with the mower deck in place although like the BH it is better to remove the mower deck to get better ground clearance especially since that same lever controls the height for both the mower and the 3 point implements (but raising the mowing deck to its highest level might work rather than removing it)

Pcham


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[BAP]

How did you mow with the backhoe attached? On the B series tractor you have to remove the 3 point hitch arms to attach the backhoe and with the arms off you can't lift the mower.

 

[Juiced06GTO]

I am getting this same set up hopefully in the near future. I was assured everything worked together too.

 

[pcham]

How did you mow with the backhoe attached? On the B series tractor you have to remove the 3 point hitch arms to attach the backhoe and with the arms off you can't lift the mower.

I'm talking about the 60" mid mount belly mower that uses the mid-PTO. That has nothing to do with the 3 point hitch arms. The linkage for raising and lowering it is under the tractor.


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[Dontwannaflip]

Ok, so I took a trip to the store and looked at one of the machines (no mower deck) and looked at some exploded diagrams with the salesman. This is what I gathered . . .

With the BH installed on the B2601, the 3-pt hitch rockshaft arms must be in the raised position, otherwise they interfere with the BH structure. The mid-mount mower deck height is controlled via linkages that attach to an alternate hole/location on each rockshaft arm. I'm calling them alternate holes/locations because it is not where each 3pt hitch lift arm normally attaches. (the 3-pt hitch lift rods and other hitch link parts do not need to be installed for the mid-mount mower and they can't be installed with the BH) I don't have the mower deck manual, maybe they have a good diagram of the rockshaft arm attach points for the deck, but the tractor manual does not. So, when the mower deck and BH are both installed, the deck must be fully raised so the rockshaft arms clear the BH structure.

To use the mower deck, I will need to remove the BH using the quick procedure on pages 21-23 of the manual. There's no need to remove any subframe or other difficult BH mounting structure.

Basically when I plan to mow, I hope to do it like this:
1. Remove the FEL quick-release bucket to get rid of some front weight
2. Remove the BH70 using the procedure on pages 21-23 of the BH70 manual, but do not install the 3-point hitch links/rods.
3. Mount the mid mount mower deck
4. Mow

I need to see if I can get a copy of all those exploded diagrams the dealer has. Does anyone know if Kubota provides/sells an electronic parts or service manual? I'll try to remember to ask when I go back to the store.

 

[pcham]

Ok, so I took a trip to the store and looked at one of the machines (no mower deck) and looked at some exploded diagrams with the salesman. This is what I gathered . . .

With the BH installed on the B2601, the 3-pt hitch rockshaft arms must be in the raised position, otherwise they interfere with the BH structure. The mid-mount mower deck height is controlled via linkages that attach to an alternate hole/location on each rockshaft arm. I'm calling them alternate holes/locations because it is not where each 3pt hitch lift arm normally attaches. (the 3-pt hitch lift rods and other hitch link parts do not need to be installed for the mid-mount mower and they can't be installed with the BH) I don't have the mower deck manual, maybe they have a good diagram of the rockshaft arm attach points for the deck, but the tractor manual does not. So, when the mower deck and BH are both installed, the deck must be fully raised so the rockshaft arms clear the BH structure.

To use the mower deck, I will need to remove the BH using the quick procedure on pages 21-23 of the manual. There's no need to remove any subframe or other difficult BH mounting structure.

Basically when I plan to mow, I hope to do it like this:
1. Remove the FEL quick-release bucket to get rid of some front weight
2. Remove the BH70 using the procedure on pages 21-23 of the BH70 manual, but do not install the 3-point hitch links/rods.
3. Mount the mid mount mower deck
4. Mow

I need to see if I can get a copy of all those exploded diagrams the dealer has. Does anyone know if Kubota provides/sells an electronic parts or service manual? I'll try to remember to ask when I go back to the store.

You can get the mower manual here
http://www.kubotabooks.com/AutoIndex/index.php?dir=Mowers/

My 2601 is model year 2015 and I have had no issues with using the belly mower while the BH is installed or the BH with the mower installed. I'd send you a video but we are having a blizzard in Upstate NY and my tractor is setup with the 60" Land Pride Snow Blower right now. As I indicated earlier the only reason to remove the mower when using the BH is better ground clearance

Pcham

 

[1970cs]

The new B2301-2601 have for mid mount mower lift, a rod that comes back to a bracket that is cast right to the left hand lift cover rock shaft arm.

#90

Pat

 

[Dontwannaflip]

Thank you for the link, I'll have to check it out.

The exploded diagram looks similar to what I saw at the dealer.

 

[Dontwannaflip]

OK, so I finally got hands-on with a B2601 that has exactly what I want- with the FEL, BH, and MM Mower all installed. I tried the deck raise/lower functions without any issues. I was incorrect when I stated earlier that the rockshaft arms would interfere with the BH structure. The only thing I see with interference issues is how the “Connecting Rod” (shown upper right diagram on Page 8 of the mower manual) appears to come within millimeters of the left brake linkage, but it should not be an issue.

As Pcham stated earlier, I should have no problems leaving the BH on while mowing. I’m guessing it would take an experienced mechanic half a day to properly set up, install, and adjust the Kubota mid-mount mower. I can see why they would prefer to have customers go with a rear-mount mower for the same price.