Need help with RCK60B-22BX MMM repair

[Tractor Gal]

I have a 2004 Kubota BX23 that came with a 60" MMM. I've had this since 2020 with no issues. Yesterday, when I engaged the mower, I heard all kinds of racket so of course I quickly turned everything off to figure out what in the world was happening. The mower blade, pulley and parts on the right side had come off! The blade was still attached to the spindle but the dust cap was off and the pulley was still hanging on to the belt. I didn't see any CIR clips or oil seal but I could see the bearing that looked OK, still lots of grease, etc

I put the thing back together best I could figure, greased it up again and did the mowing. Everything seemed to work fine. BUT, out of curiosity, I checked the diagram on Messick's site and it appears that there is an oil seal and CIR clips in their diagram. (I can't seem to cut/paste that diagram to insert here). So, I've since ordered the seal and clips but I don't remember seeing any spot where a CIR clip would go....no indentation to hold it is what I mean. Plus, it appears the seal goes on top of the bearing, but I'm surprised I didn't see a remnant of the seal somewhere. If there were clips, they could have been thrown out when it came apart and not noticeable on the grass at the moment.

Would someone confirm that the seal goes on top of the bearing...holding the grease in, I presume...but where would the CIR clips go? The whole mechanism seem tight when I put it back together and as I mowed, there was no odd sound or wobbling of that pulley.

Thanks for the help.

Here's the link to the diagram...which I could cut/paste it.

Kubota RCK60B-22BX(BX1800 BX2200) (60" SIDE DISCHARGE MOWER) Parts Diagrams

Kubota Parts Catalog Lookup. Buy Kubota Parts Online & Save!

www.messicks.com

Tractor Gal.

 

[Henro]

I have the exact same deck on my BX2200. A year or two ago I changed the bearings in one of the outside spindles. There is a seal on the top and the bottom, but there were no circlips used.

I bought a kit off eBay that contained two seals, two bearings and two circlips. I still have the circlips because they weren’t used Initially. I bought the tractor new with the deck so I know no one has been in there before.

Hope this helps…

 

[Tractor Gal]

I have the exact same deck on my BX2200. A year or two ago I changed the bearings in one of the outside spindles. There is a seal on the top and the bottom, but there were no circlips used.

I bought a kit off eBay that contained two seals, two bearings and two circlips. I still have the circlips because they weren’t used Initially. I bought the tractor new with the deck so I know no one has been in there before.

Hope this helps…

Helps a lot, Henro. Two seals? Maybe the one on the bottom is still in place on my mower. Anyway, I did order 2 seals just in case another of those went bad! Thanks a lot. I'll be fixing that when the new parts come and won't need to mow prior. Hopefully, operating without the seal on top of the bearing hasn't hurt. Guess we'll see!

TG

 

[DustyRusty]

That is an internal clip, and looking at the diagram, it indicates that there are multiple choices for part #10, so to me that would indicate that part number 10 has had multiple incarnations of upgrades. Some might not use the cir-clip and other might have the groove for it. Only way to know for certain is to disassemble, clean well and inspect. If you are going to have it apart, I would replace the bearings since they most likely have a lot of use on them.

 

[Tractor Gal]

That is an internal clip, and looking at the diagram, it indicates that there are multiple choices for part #10, so to me that would indicate that part number 10 has had multiple incarnations of upgrades. Some might not use the cir-clip and other might have the groove for it. Only way to know for certain is to disassemble, clean well and inspect. If you are going to have it apart, I would replace the bearings since they most likely have a lot of use on them.

Thanks, DustyRusty...when I got the new parts, I did take that spindle and pulley off again and looked. Couldn't find a spot for the cir-clip so I just went on. Since this is probably a 2004 mower, it may be one of the first and without the clips. You had a good idea about replacing the bearings but it's back together now so I think I'll leave it. BUT, I will look for new bearings to have on hand. We know that everything goes at some time!

TG

 

[Henro]

Thanks, DustyRusty...when I got the new parts, I did take that spindle and pulley off again and looked. Couldn't find a spot for the cir-clip so I just went on. Since this is probably a 2004 mower, it may be one of the first and without the clips. You had a good idea about replacing the bearings but it's back together now so I think I'll leave it. BUT, I will look for new bearings to have on hand. We know that everything goes at some time!

TG

After reading your post, I decided that it might not be a bad idea to have a rebuild kit handy for the future just in case. I re-ordered one which is the same that I used before and has been in service for a year or two.

I can’t speak on the quality, but I’m just posting this for your reference. The price includes free shipping and it’s not bad I think. I don’t know if the price good or not, but it didn’t seem expensive.

Just for your reference, nothing more…

 

[PoTreeBoy]

I'll wager a guess here. The diagram TG's post linked to was for the center blade holder, which does show a circlip. But TG had a problem with one of the outer spindles. The diagram for the outer blade holders shows a shoulder that the bearings would straddle. Especially since TG bought an aftermarket kit, I'm guessing the bearings and seals are the same for the center (although it only has one) and outer. By throwing in the circlip the same kit would fix either the center or outer. I didn't actually compare part numbers.

 

[Tractor Gal]

Good info here, gentleman, but PoTreeBoy, I didn't buy an aftermarket kit...I bought seals from Messick's. I haven't bought the bearings. But, after seeing Henro's info, I'm giving it some thought.

The other thing...I didn't know there were 2 bearings. The whole mechanism containing the blade with its bolt and the spindle all came loose from the pulley because the nut on top of the spindle had come off. Luckily, it was sitting on top of the deck or I never would've found it!

I'm going to look into this further. Having parts ready is the best way to go since we all know they will be needed at some point!

Thanks Henro and PoTreeBoy.

TG

 

[Tractor Gal]

Good info here, gentleman, but PoTreeBoy, I didn't buy an aftermarket kit...I bought seals from Messick's. I haven't bought the bearings. But, after seeing Henro's info, I'm giving it some thought.

The other thing...I didn't know there were 2 bearings. The whole mechanism containing the blade with its bolt and the spindle all came loose from the pulley because the nut on top of the spindle had come off. Luckily, it was sitting on top of the deck or I never would've found it!

I'm going to look into this further. Having parts ready is the best way to go since we all know they will be needed at some point!

Thanks Henro and PoTreeBoy.

TG

OK...I looked at Messick's diagram again...one bearing per blade with 3 blades per 60" mower so a total of 3 bearings required.

Kubota RCK60B-22BX(BX1830 BX2230) (60" SIDE DISCHARGE MOWER) Parts Diagrams

Kubota Parts Catalog Lookup. Buy Kubota Parts Online & Save!

www.messicks.com

 

[PoTreeBoy]

OK...I looked at Messick's diagram again...one bearing per blade with 3 blades per 60" mower so a total of 3 bearings required.

Kubota RCK60B-22BX(BX1830 BX2230) (60" SIDE DISCHARGE MOWER) Parts Diagrams

Kubota Parts Catalog Lookup. Buy Kubota Parts Online & Save!

www.messicks.com

TG, I think you're getting thrown off target by looking at the center blade. Here's the side spindle diagram.

Look closely, there is a total of 4 part 020, the bearing, two on each side. (BTW, there is one of the same part # in the center).
And no cir-clip (there is one in the center).

Here's a picture of the holder. There appears to be a shoulder inside, with a bearing on each side the shaft can't come out as long as the nuts on each end of the shaft stay tight. Yours apparently loosened and started to disassemble.

 

[Henro]

TG, I think you're getting thrown off target by looking at the center blade. Here's the side spindle diagram. View attachment 134197
Look closely, there is a total of 4 part 020, the bearing, two on each side. (BTW, there is one of the same part # in the center).
And no cir-clip (there is one in the center).

Here's a picture of the holder. There appears to be a shoulder inside, with a bearing on each side the shaft can't come out as long as the nuts on each end of the shaft stay tight. Yours apparently loosened and started to disassemble.
View attachment 134198

PoTreeBoy is absolutely correct. The outside spindles are different than the center one. I missed the reference made to the parts drawing in the original post. (Or I didn’t look because I remembered my set up).

l believe collar #30 acts as a spacer between the bearings. Did you still have it when you reassembled what you had? I ask because if the bearing and seal came out there is a possibility that collar might have too.

 

[Tractor Gal]

Thanks for sending me back to the diagram but I am still only seeing one bearing ( #020) for each blade. The collar must've still been in the pulley holder since there wasn't anything else there.

When I started the mower and heard the sound, I quickly disengaged the mower. Yes, it could've spun some things out but it fit back together so well that I don't think there was anything missing.

As I looked at the pulley holder, I could see the bearings...well greased. I didn't think bearings would be visible. So, I thought the seal must've come out even though I didn't see any remains. That's why I ordered the seals...one to use and one to keep for a spare. After getting the parts and taking the blade off again, I finally saw the metal rim of the seal still in place. So, I put it back together again (think Humpty Dumpty) gave it a good greasing and despite Humpty's future, the mower has worked well.

Am I still missing something? I wouldn't be surprised if I am but then again, the mower is operating well.

TG

PS In looking at that diagram, it is for two blade! Crazy. I've got to look for RCKB60-22BX

Looked at diagram title again...it is for 60"...doesn't make sense to me.

 

[Henro]

Thanks for sending me back to the diagram but I am still only seeing one bearing ( #020) for each blade. The collar must've still been in the pulley holder since there wasn't anything else there.

When I started the mower and heard the sound, I quickly disengaged the mower. Yes, it could've spun some things out but it fit back together so well that I don't think there was anything missing.

As I looked at the pulley holder, I could see the bearings...well greased. I didn't think bearings would be visible. So, I thought the seal must've come out even though I didn't see any remains. That's why I ordered the seals...one to use and one to keep for a spare. After getting the parts and taking the blade off again, I finally saw the metal rim of the seal still in place. So, I put it back together again (think Humpty Dumpty) gave it a good greasing and despite Humpty's future, the mower has worked well.

Am I still missing something? I wouldn't be surprised if I am but then again, the mower is operating well.

TG

PS In looking at that diagram, it is for two blade! Crazy. I've got to look for RCKB60-22BX

Looked at diagram title again...it is for 60"...doesn't make sense to me.

I believe that drawing just shows the outside two spindles and a separate drawing shows the center spindle with the gearcase. That drawing that poetry boy showed seems accurate to me for my deck, which is the same as yours.

I didn’t correct dictation representation of poetry boy… I sort of like it!

Sorry PoTreeBoy… I guess poetry boy doesn’t sound as manly

Edit: if the bearing didn’t come out, then the collar between the bearings would still be inside there for sure so you don’t have to worry about it. Perhaps I misunderstood, but I thought I remembered that you found the bearing on top of the deck after the event?

 

[Tractor Gal]

I believe that drawing just shows the outside two spindles and a separate drawing shows the center spindle with the gearcase. That drawing that poetry boy showed seems accurate to me for my deck, which is the same as yours.

I didn’t correct dictation representation of poetry boy… I sort of like it!

Sorry PoTreeBoy… I guess poetry boy doesn’t sound as manly

Edit: if the bearing didn’t come out, then the collar between the bearings would still be inside there for sure so you don’t have to worry about it. Perhaps I misunderstood, but I thought I remembered that you found the bearing on top of the deck after the event?

You are so good to help, Henro. I'm sure my explanation about things is somewhat lacking. IIRC, it was the nut that held the spindle that was on the deck's top. I didn't find a lock washer and I didn't have one large enough, so I'll have to get one of those...meanwhile, make sure that nut is tight.

One more thing...just to make sure...there is only 1 bearing on each spindle, not 2? That's what I see anyway.

When I looked down at the pulley holder before I put the pulley on, I could see the bearings. Maybe that collar either came out or was missing? It must be there because there wasn't much play in the pulley when I put it in place. I'm going to have to take this thing apart again and get a picture or two. I remember seeing two u-shaped notches on the bottom of the pulley and figured there must be something that goes in those notches to hold the pulley. Otherwise, it's just that star-shaped washer. Then I thought that must be how the pulley is tightened to hold it together.

I'm sure this makes no sense to anyone but me...and that's scary. I'll try to get some pictures tomorrow.

The funny thing is that it's mowing well!

TG

 

[Henro]

The center spindle may have only one bearing because it may use a bearing in the gearbox as the second one. I’m not sure about this just an assumption.

The outside spindles definitely have two bearings and two seals. I’m sure of this because I replaced two bearings and two seals in the one outside spindle that I worked on.

Look carefully at the parts diagram that poetry boy (sorry couldn’t resist) posted and you will see that there are two sections to it, and you have to add them both together to see the total layout of one of the spindles.

 

[Russell King]

There are a few diagrams to look through to find ALL of the bearings.
Here is the input gear box that is the top part of the central driven pulley. It has one bearing #110 shown on the top end of the vertical shaft. Then the next diagram.…

shows the lower half of the same gear box with the center blade. There is one bearing #30 shown there. Then the next diagram shows…

the outer two gear boxes that carry the outer blades (and are driven by the belt from the central pulley). That diagram shows #20 bearings and there are four required.

I see that for just the vertical shafts there are 6 bearings total. One bearing at the upper center is different than the other 5 bearings

5 bearings = 08101-06205
1 bearing = 70712-33550

There are an additional 2 bearings on the horizontal input shaft. They are different from each other and different from any bearing on the vertical shafts.

You will not be able to see all of these bearings without significant dis-assembly of the mower deck and spindle cases.

Please verify all of this yourself since that deck has some variations in model so I may have chosen an incorrect diagram or typed in the wrong part number.

 

[PoTreeBoy]

I believe that drawing just shows the outside two spindles and a separate drawing shows the center spindle with the gearcase. That drawing that poetry boy showed seems accurate to me for my deck, which is the same as yours.

I didn’t correct dictation representation of poetry boy… I sort of like it!

Sorry PoTreeBoy… I guess poetry boy doesn’t sound as manly

Edit: if the bearing didn’t come out, then the collar between the bearings would still be inside there for sure so you don’t have to worry about it. Perhaps I misunderstood, but I thought I remembered that you found the bearing on top of the deck after the event?

Okay, here you go

There once was a girl from Nantucket

That's all I got.

 

[whitetiger]

The center blade spindle has one bearing in the housing whereas the outer 2 have 2 bearings. The upper bearing for the center spindle is in the gearbox.

RCK decks used on most BX series tractors have a lip or step machined in the housing and do not use the snaprings whereas the RCK decks used on most of the ZD series do not have a lip or step in the housing and require the 2 snap rings to contain the bearings.

Almost all RCK decks use the same bearings and seals, the housings are made in several styles.

 

[PaulL]

I think the bearing trick is that there's one above the deck and one below it. There are separate sections of the diagram for the portion above the deck and the portion below the deck. Likely only one part of your spindle came apart, but perhaps the other bearing is also there?

 

[PoTreeBoy]

I think the bearing trick is that there's one above the deck and one below it. There are separate sections of the diagram for the portion above the deck and the portion below the deck. Likely only one part of your spindle came apart, but perhaps the other bearing is also there?

Yep, it's kinda confusing, there are 3 or 4 diagrams involved.