Lift for a tractor?

[brownsl]

I have a new Kubota B2630 with a 72-inch mowing deck. I can unmount the deck but I need access to the mowing blades underneath. On my old and much smaller tractor I just lifted the deck up and braced it on its edge to remove/clean the blades. This deck weighs too much for me to do this. What is the best way of doing this? Is there a lift that I could use to lift up the tractor and access the bottom of the deck while it is still mounted to the mower? Or, do I get some kind of hoist to lift the deck up by its edge to get to the blades when it is unmounted. What do the tractor service people do?

 

[99SVT]

my New Holland TZ25DA fits on my Bendpak 4-post with the ramps in the same position that I use to drive my '87 Mustang GT, '99 Lightning, '06 Scion xA, '07 F350, and '07 Camry.

It's a mid-mount mower.

Before I got the lift (this past summer), I would have to pull the deck out from under the tractor, flip it over, remove blades... then reverse everything to get it back together. It was a pain, and no good on my back. The lift makes is easy, breezy.... especially since I have to swap blades every time I mow.

 

[OccupantRJ]

Why can't you use ramps to service the mower deck? Just make sure the capacity will handle the tractor's weight. I have built layered ramps out of wide 2 by wood, alternating layers of 2 by and plywood, to lift a box truck up to dock height, and used the same ones to lift a forklift for access underneath. The ramps are used for one end lifting only.

 

[Farmallgray]

I take it the tractor doesn't have a loader on it?

Most tractor repair shops either have a fork lift, chain hoist, an engine hoist, or a helper/s.

 

[2chipped]

My boss has a kubota with 72in deck (model ?) ...on his you pull two pins on the side and pull it off the driveshaft and its off.....2 min on and off.

 

[brownsl]

my New Holland TZ25DA fits on my Bendpak 4-post with the ramps in the same position that I use to drive my '87 Mustang GT, '99 Lightning, '06 Scion xA, '07 F350, and '07 Camry.

It's a mid-mount mower.

Before I got the lift (this past summer), I would have to pull the deck out from under the tractor, flip it over, remove blades... then reverse everything to get it back together. It was a pain, and no good on my back. The lift makes is easy, breezy.... especially since I have to swap blades every time I mow.

That was going to be my next question, whether I could find a lift that would work for my vehicles also. This might not be the cheapest solution but it seems the most attractive for my bad back.

 

[brownsl]

I have built layered ramps out of wide 2 by wood, alternating layers of 2 by and plywood, to lift a box truck up to dock height, and used the same ones to lift a forklift for access underneath. The ramps are used for one end lifting only.

Are there ramps large enough to get the tractor up to a decent height? That might be a good option. I wonder once the tractor was up there if it would be difficult to get to the outer blades on the deck.

 

[brownsl]

I take it the tractor doesn't have a loader on it?

Most tractor repair shops either have a fork lift, chain hoist, an engine hoist, or a helper/s.

The tractor does have a front end loader.

 

[brownsl]

My boss has a kubota with 72in deck (model ?) ...on his you pull two pins on the side and pull it off the driveshaft and its off.....2 min on and off.

Right, I have no problem getting the deck off. At least, I hope so as I have not had to do it yet. I am concerned about servicing the blades underneath the mowing deck.

 

[ket-tek]

I've had my Ford 1710 with loader up on my HD-9 to weld up some stress cracks on the tractor's frame. I had no issues with it, the lift picked it up just fine.

I do use it for my rider mower as well to clean the deck and maintain the blades quick and easy..

 

[ishiboo]

The tractor does have a front end loader.

So... build a small cradle from wood, stick something on the bucket edge so you don't remove all the paint and use the bucket to flip it up on the cradle? Should be pretty easy. You can get the deck on/off without any lifting from the ones I've seen.

 

[Challenger RT]

I use my Rotary 4 post lift to store my L3830 Kubota. Ramp location works with the tractor or the 510.

 

[m.james]

I would assume most lifts would work if the wheel were spread the same as a car.

 

[cdaledave89]

Right, I have no problem getting the deck off. At least, I hope so as I have not had to do it yet. I am concerned about servicing the blades underneath the mowing deck.

I have a Kubota B7610 with a 60" deck. Here's a couple different ways to do it:

1. Put a chain or cable around the front of the deck and pick it up with the loader to clean underneath. I did this for about 5 or 6 years.
2. Go to Tractor Supply or Harbor Freight and buy a 500 lb. hand-crank boat winch (about $20). You know, the kind that are on the front of a boat trailer to winch the boat all the way up to the front of the trailer. Get some nylon cord, mount the winch to the wall or a post inside your garage or barn, and voila! - you can safely winch up the deck for cleaning or removing blades for sharpening. I've been doing it this way for the last 1 or 2 years. I also use this for off-season storage to stand the deck up and free up some floor space.

 

[2chipped]

Right, I have no problem getting the deck off. At least, I hope so as I have not had to do it yet. I am concerned about servicing the blades underneath the mowing deck.

I'm being serious when I say i pulled my bosses deck and slid it out flipped it up changed blades and had it back on in 10 min.

If you the loader that will lift the frontend lay some pallets underneath the bucket which will give you enough height to roll under on a creeper after you lay something under the front wheels .
Or you could buy a lift.

 

[nate379]

I think your supposed to mow the lawn, not the woods!

.... especially since I have to swap blades every time I mow.

 

[Displaced Hokie]

A Heftee 4000 will do it...

 

[brownsl]

Some great ideas! I am leaning towards getting a lift. Just the excuse I need to start researching what to get. I just am finishing up on my new 52x32, now I can tell the wife I need to spend a bit more money. In the mean time I like the idea of using either a hoist or using the front end load and a chain to lift the deck up on its side.

 

[RAYJAY]

The tractor does have a front end loader.

lift the front of the tractor up with the bucket and put jack stands under the front end job done

 

[Kevin54]

lift the front of the tractor up with the bucket and put jack stands under the front end job done

That's what I do most of the time, but also having a bad back doesn't help. Most of the time it is, slide the deck out and use the FEL to lift the deck to remove the blades and clean the deck.