BX 25 D MMM Lifting Lug Replacement

[Echo 225]

Hello all; new member here and I have an issue with the MMM lifting lugs. The machine in question is a BX 25 D purchased new in 2011. Currently 900 hours. The left lifting lug sheared off earlier this week and upon inspection, I see the right one is about to fail. Checked with a dealer, approximately $800 + repair and not a pleasant task (not his exact words). So I got the parts ($150), exploded diagram and some advice from the mechanic to tackle it myself. Well, I got the floor deck off and a bunch of other stuff but I don't see how I can get the shaft out without disassembling the rest of the operators position including the seat, fenders, ROPS and also part of the frame. Any one have any insight to offer on this (other than putting it back together and biting that expensive bullet). Any constructive suggestions as how to proceed are welcome.

Thank you

 

[mikester]

Post some clear pics to start.

 

[Mowbizz]

Yes some pictures would be good! I have a Bx25d with similar hours with MMM myself (now I have to go look at it)

 

[Echo 225]

Yes some pictures would be good! I have a Bx25d with similar hours with MMM myself (now I have to go look at it)

Left Link

Right Link

Links Lowered, Lifting Links at top of photo.

Diagram 1; Part 010 left link. Kubota PN K2581-44210.

Diagram 2; Part 010 right link. Kubota PN K2581-44202.

I was able to remove the left side link. Now working on the right side. More challenging.

 

[mikester]

So correct me if I'm wrong:
1. a part broke on your tractor that needs to be re-welded
2. dealer quoted $800 to repair
3. you decided to fix it yourself but don't know what or how to fix

Here's my approach to fixing breakages:
1. can I fix the problem myself with my tools and skill level and time availability?

Yes-> I fix the breakage

No? do I need to buy a special tool to fix it?
-> is the tool something I need and will use again?

--> Yes? Buy the tool and fix the breakage
--> No? Pay someone to fix it

From your blurry photos and lack of markup I can't decipher what you are trying to accomplish. My impression is that you should pay someone to fix it for you.

 

[tinkerwitheverything]

If I'm reading this right when you say lug you must be referring to the part that the lift linkage hangs on. It's like a round stub with a rectangular flat washer thing on the end. Now if that is what your meaning this can be fixed providing you have some mechanical ability.
You could do this right on the tractor.I would drill that pin out thats welded in that arm and then tap the arm to 1/2" thread. Now using a 1/2 " bolt cut /grind down the head to about 1/8" thick put it through the lift arm that the deck connects too and thread it into the arm that the pin/lug goes into.Tighten it up enough so that it doesn't bind and then on the back side put a nut onto the part of the bolt that comes through the threaded arm, tighten up the nut and it should be good to go. Probabaly less the $10 for parts. Just some time to do this ?? Now this is if this is your problem.

 

[Echo 225]

Thanks all for your impressions. I was really looking for guidance from someone who had encountered this specific problem before not general advce but I do appreciate your time. In any event, the tractor has been disassembled, new parts installed, tested for correct operation, and currently being reassembled. If any one should see this post who has a BX 25 D with this issue, I would be happy to share the process I went through to remedy this . Perhaps I could save you some time.

 

[Mowbizz]

Thanks all for your impressions. I was really looking for guidance from someone who had encountered this specific problem before not general advce but I do appreciate your time. In any event, the tractor has been disassembled, new parts installed, tested for correct operation, and currently being reassembled. If any one should see this post who has a BX 25 D with this issue, I would be happy to share the process I went through to remedy this . Perhaps I could save you some time.

Glad you got it done! The pics were a bit obscure so it was difficult to see exactly where/what your problem was. Any idea what caused the part to “shear”?
I have looked under my BX25d and it all looks good minus a scrape n scratch here and there. When I take my deck off next week or so I will take a good look before mounting my new snowblower.

 

[Echo 225]

Glad you got it done! The pics were a bit obscure so it was difficult to see exactly where/what your problem was. Any idea what caused the part to “shear”?
I have looked under my BX25d and it all looks good minus a scrape n scratch here and there. When I take my deck off next week or so I will take a good look before mounting my new snowblower.

Yes, I agree the pictures are somewhat difficult to really see where the issue is. But I figured that if someone here had encountered this specific issue they would know what I was talking about, otherwise it is just uninformed speculation. I can do that myself. As far as the cause, my wife hit a hidden obstruction in the yard while mowing. Shut down the machine and sheared the left side lug and damaged the right side. No harm to the machine but the lifting lugs on the MMM link were damaged beyond repair. I thought about welding / fabricating but decided to go with new parts. The repair was not difficult but quite a bit of disassembly was required, so I posted here to see if any one could give me some informed direction. Absent that, I just went ahead and fixed it. Talking with the dealer, he informed me that this is not an uncommon issue with the 25 D at this point in its life. (10 years @ 1K hrs), in fact he had the parts on hand and knew exactly what I was talking about. Checking your machine is a good idea. Mine did have some wear on the links and lifting points on the MMM and I was considering overhauling it this winter. I just ended up doing it a little earlier than planned. Good lick with your machine. The 25 D is a real work horse.

 

[Henro]

Yes, I agree the pictures are somewhat difficult to really see where the issue is. But I figured that if someone here had encountered this specific issue they would know what I was talking about, otherwise it is just uninformed speculation. I can do that myself. As far as the cause, my wife hit a hidden obstruction in the yard while mowing. Shut down the machine and sheared the left side lug and damaged the right side. No harm to the machine but the lifting lugs on the MMM link were damaged beyond repair. I thought about welding / fabricating but decided to go with new parts. The repair was not difficult but quite a bit of disassembly was required, so I posted here to see if any one could give me some informed direction. Absent that, I just went ahead and fixed it. Talking with the dealer, he informed me that this is not an uncommon issue with the 25 D at this point in its life. (10 years @ 1K hrs), in fact he had the parts on hand and knew exactly what I was talking about. Checking your machine is a good idea. Mine did have some wear on the links and lifting points on the MMM and I was considering overhauling it this winter. I just ended up doing it a little earlier than planned. Good lick with your machine. The 25 D is a real work horse.

I still can't figure out what the exact issue was, but glad you got it resolved!

 

[RCW]

Echo - - -

Glad you got it fixed!

I have the same tractor (BX2360), but lacking the backhoe.

As you admit, the photos were difficult to discern. I can relate; it's tough to get decent pictures underneath a tractor!

However, the expectation that someone with the exact problem would have the "silver bullet" answer is probably a low probability.

"Our" guys here on OTT had little to work with. They're a great group of very august expertise.

Better answers come from better questions. In this context, a better question includes better supporting documentation.

That said, your time on OTT is less than a few days. Mine is a little less than 9 years. Documenting issues, and more importantly the fixes, is what makes this forum a great resource.

For the purposes of a legacy to help a future person with the same issue (could be me), could you post some photos of the repairs?

Thanks for hearing me out.

 

[xrocketengineer]

Good job! I was looking in the manuals that I had downloaded but it only had a brief description of the mechanism operation and not a word about how to take it apart. The parts breakdown that you found seem to be more useful to figure out how it goes together.

Somebody else in the forum had a problem with the MMM falling off on his BX80 but it seemed that the parts were not built right. It appeared that when the MMM was at cutting height the elongated heads of the pivot pins would line up with the elongated slots on the forward arms and everything would slide off. Fortunately, I believe that his was still under warranty.