modification of John Deere's 1025 mower deck

[Bottlecapdigger]

This has been an issue right from day one when I first got this, the issue of the deck scalping and ripping the sod as the centre "shoe" drags along. The the mower deck does not have a roller at the front centre. I believe they did not use this because of the drive over deck and didnt think it would be strong enough to support the tractor driving over it. I tried making a larger shoe or now we can call it a ski to see if this helped, well it helped a little but not much better. I was reading on different JD forums and this seems to be a common complaint with other JD owners with the drive over decks. The following pics are what I came up with, I made it sturdy enough to support the tractors weight and figured the roller would just push into the sod with the tractors weight on it. I left the "sod scaper/shoe" on behind it as it can help support the weight also. The roller is about 1/2-3/4" lower than the shoe. I'm going to try it later today and I'm quite confident that this will eliminate the sod scraping. I will let everyone know if this works, and if it does your welcome to post this on a JD forum as im not a member on one BCD

 

[chrispyny]

Well? How’s it mow?

Nice fab.

 

[Bottlecapdigger]

Haven't tried it yet, ended have company come over, one thing after another, you know how it goes. Hoping to get it tomorrow after work. BCD

 

[Garage Junkie]

Subscribed for the same issue! I would also love to figure out how to put swivel wheels up front as the deck wheels dig in when i'm turning and going up or down hill. I was thinking about a set of zero turn wheels adapted to the 7 iron deck.

 

[Bottlecapdigger]

I was thinking of doing the same thing with the wheels, it can be easily done, take off the snap in latch, and drill a hole through the shaft below the support hole so it doesn't slide up. And can swivel. next job. BCD

 

[Kevin54]

Subscribed for the same issue! I would also love to figure out how to put swivel wheels up front as the deck wheels dig in when i'm turning and going up or down hill. I was thinking about a set of zero turn wheels adapted to the 7 iron deck.

Need to do that to the wifes 720. The front casters just tear the **** out of the lawn on turns when a slope is involved. Plus the mounts stick out so you cannot mow close around trees. IMHO....JD's are cheapening down from the status they used to have.

 

[Bottlecapdigger]

Well? How’s it mow?

Nice fab.[Well tried it after work, went a couple of rounds around the yard and happy to say it works fine, connected up fine when I drove over it to hook it up. ]BCD

 

[Bottlecapdigger]

Need to do that to the wifes 720. The front casters just tear the **** out of the lawn on turns when a slope is involved. Plus the mounts stick out so you cannot mow close around trees. IMHO....JD's are cheapening down from the status they used to have.[I like everything about the 1025, except the mower deck with the issues I mentioned, maybe its because i have the 60" deck. The kubota I had before I think did a better job on the lawn, but it only had a 54" and was only a lawn tractor. The 1025 is more of a tractor. That being said, I love it other wise. BCD]

 

[Garage Junkie]

Nice job Bottlecap!

 

[NUTTSGT]

Nice work, maybe you should send some pictures to JD and tell them they owe you for some research and design work.

 

[toplessHO]

I ve had several JDs mostly 757,77,97
most have had the front and side roller worn out.
Ive found 1/2" emt(thinwall electrical tubing) can be pressed into the roller
thats got eggshaped holes.
I havent worn one out yet,but when I do Ive got plenty more pipe