B8200HST Mower Deck with FEL
- Thread starter wdlanning
- Start date
I do not think the belly mower can be used with the front loader on the B8200. Loader sub-frame is in the way.
Kubota came out with the B9200 in the late '80's to overcome the problem. The B9200 was a few inches longer and did accommodate the belly mower with the loader frame in place.
I had a B8200 I bought new in 1985. Sold it last year, but I fabricated some modification to allow the belly mower to work with the loader. I had to cut some of the sub-frame, modify and weld some brackets.
So the answer is factory set up....NO, modified....YES!
Kubota came out with the B9200 in the late '80's to overcome the problem. The B9200 was a few inches longer and did accommodate the belly mower with the loader frame in place.
I had a B8200 I bought new in 1985. Sold it last year, but I fabricated some modification to allow the belly mower to work with the loader. I had to cut some of the sub-frame, modify and weld some brackets.
So the answer is factory set up....NO, modified....YES!
Not exactly on point with your question but thought I would add this...
I bought a B7300 without a mid mount mower thinking I would add it later. It did have a FEL. The mower would work with the FEL, I knew that from some research and the fact that the example I purchased had originally come with a mid mount mower that had been removed when the bearings failed.
My point is that I was unable to find a used mower that I wanted to buy. I ended up buying a new Kubota deck. They are not cheap at $2500 plus tax; more if you want them to install it, (I did my own install).
If I were doing it again I might look for a tractor with a FEL and a belly deck and be willing to pay a bit more for it.
Roll
I bought a B7300 without a mid mount mower thinking I would add it later. It did have a FEL. The mower would work with the FEL, I knew that from some research and the fact that the example I purchased had originally come with a mid mount mower that had been removed when the bearings failed.
My point is that I was unable to find a used mower that I wanted to buy. I ended up buying a new Kubota deck. They are not cheap at $2500 plus tax; more if you want them to install it, (I did my own install).
If I were doing it again I might look for a tractor with a FEL and a belly deck and be willing to pay a bit more for it.
Roll
I'll do some looking. At the time I had a drafting table and did a good set of detail, to scale, drawings to give me peace of mind before I started hacking my tractor. My wife says I'm somewhat of a hoarder, so they may still be around.
I had gone over to Odell Tractor in Independence, Mo and took dimensions on the B9200. Interesting tidbit of information. Odell Tractor is now one of the three locations for Coleman Equipment!
I had gone over to Odell Tractor in Independence, Mo and took dimensions on the B9200. Interesting tidbit of information. Odell Tractor is now one of the three locations for Coleman Equipment!
I've got a B2150 that I shoved a MMM under while keeping the FEL attached, which is similar to the 8200. As stated before, stock will not allow it to happen - cutting and welding will! Fair warning... it's TIGHT!
Below are a couple highlights, feel free to go here for a larger album: https://imgur.com/a/RbLSR
I can pull measurements and get more detailed pictures if you need.
Like I said, TIGHT:
I plan to cut some of the FEL subframe here to make a bit more room for the gearbox of the MMM:
Shockingly, out of all the pictures I took I don't have a single one of the finished linkages from the FEL subframe to the MMM. I can take some if needed. Basically, I cut the U-shaped portion out of the frame mounts seen below and welded them to the trailing face of the FEL subframe. Then shortened the MMM lift arms.
Had to lengthen the driveshaft of the MMM
Had to lengthen the front mount arms
Had to shorten the 2 rear MMM lift arms
Below are a couple highlights, feel free to go here for a larger album: https://imgur.com/a/RbLSR
I can pull measurements and get more detailed pictures if you need.
Like I said, TIGHT:
I plan to cut some of the FEL subframe here to make a bit more room for the gearbox of the MMM:
Shockingly, out of all the pictures I took I don't have a single one of the finished linkages from the FEL subframe to the MMM. I can take some if needed. Basically, I cut the U-shaped portion out of the frame mounts seen below and welded them to the trailing face of the FEL subframe. Then shortened the MMM lift arms.
You did an amazing modification. I really appreciate your pics. Just a couple of questions.
Was the mover the correct model to fit the tractor w/o the FEL?
In hindsight, would it have be easier just to remove the FEL?
Thanks for your reply...I really appreciate it.
Was the mover the correct model to fit the tractor w/o the FEL?
In hindsight, would it have be easier just to remove the FEL?
Thanks for your reply...I really appreciate it.
That's funny! But since you asked, I had to go research what 'actually' was supposed to fit my B2150... you know for forum accuracy and all...RC60-21 (60" MMM) - below is a sample from Google search:
I was hoping to get a RC72 but Craigslist wasn't understanding that. Besides, the wider you go, the more it gets hung on external objects - like trees.
So technically it was designed for my machine - WITHOUT the loader. What I experienced was the loader sub frame was hogging the same mounts needed for the MMM, and worse than that, the subframe would get in the way of where linkages wanted to go to-from for the MMM.
Removing the loader (from the sub-frame) is not an issue at all. Removing the sub-frame every time you want to mow, that's a different story. Plus, my machine has a 4pt backhoe that's integrated into the FEL sub-frame. Not taking all that off every time I want to mow! (Ignore the lack of stickers - this was day 2 after restoration)
I wind up losing vertical motion with my setup. I can only pick up the MMM about 1 1/4" - in fact, I have still not gotten around to fabricating the lift mechanism! I don't like the piggy back system of using the rear lift arms, and the individual I purchased from did not have the bracket that made that system work - the only thing he left on the tractor when it sold... I just let the mower cruise around on the ground when not mowing - for now. The only other aspect that I lose out on is when the ground requires articulation between the tractor and the mower. There are a couple places in my yard that the MMM is carrying some extra weight in the form of the 2150. So far so good...
Now that all the negatives are on the table, some positives. I can use the loader as a 'hidden object' finder in taller grass. I can carry stuff in the loader while mowing (or pickup stuff like branches). I can use the tractor for anything other than mowing without having to remove the MMM. It was fun to cut and modify...!
Plus, the biggest reason of all, I don't need any special 'drive-over' ramps or reinforced decks to mount and dismount, FEL does the work:
