I purchased my Kubota L3010 HST second hand last year. Came with a well used 5' brush hog and an RC-72A belly mower whose wear appeared to closely match the ~600hrs of the tractor. However, the seller cautioned me he'd not used the mower deck, and principally relied on the brush hog (in this photo, the belly mower is merely installed for transport because he had it stored separately).
So it was the belly mower I mostly lusted for (and hopefully not mistakenly). Anyway, I'm only taking care of 5 acres of flat FL grass, and I judged this compact tractor would suit me perfectly after +20 years of experience doing the job with a zero-turn type mower. Basically, I lusted for more comfort and especially greater speed. I judged the 30hp of the Kubota would do better for me than the 17hp Kubota powered Jacobsen.
However, recently, when I went to install the belly mower, I discovered a missing linkage. Said linkage consisting of Link 1 and Link 2, plus a connecting pin (part numbers 76550-51274, 76550-51294, and 05122-51260). No problem, call Kubota, right?
Nope, while Kubota have stock of Link 1 (plus the pin), they don't offer Link2 . . . grrr!
This brief how-to shows my method of resolving the missing link. it's offered in hopes it helps the next guy. Step one is realizing it's time to fabricate, but hoping for an easier path than starting from scratch.
Following a visit to Tractor Supply, I purchased three of their Item # 1345713 - Hillman 8 inch Gate Hinge Strap, Zinc. Welded together, these bits and bobs would form the replacement linkage.
My next step was laying out what I hoped would work.
In short order these pieces were cut and welded.
This was followed by a bit of orange paint (engine block Chevrolet orange matches nicely).
And the completed assembly.
I hope nobody else finds themselves in this bind, but if you do, this is one way to sort it.
--
John
So it was the belly mower I mostly lusted for (and hopefully not mistakenly). Anyway, I'm only taking care of 5 acres of flat FL grass, and I judged this compact tractor would suit me perfectly after +20 years of experience doing the job with a zero-turn type mower. Basically, I lusted for more comfort and especially greater speed. I judged the 30hp of the Kubota would do better for me than the 17hp Kubota powered Jacobsen.
However, recently, when I went to install the belly mower, I discovered a missing linkage. Said linkage consisting of Link 1 and Link 2, plus a connecting pin (part numbers 76550-51274, 76550-51294, and 05122-51260). No problem, call Kubota, right?
Nope, while Kubota have stock of Link 1 (plus the pin), they don't offer Link2 . . . grrr!
This brief how-to shows my method of resolving the missing link. it's offered in hopes it helps the next guy. Step one is realizing it's time to fabricate, but hoping for an easier path than starting from scratch.
Following a visit to Tractor Supply, I purchased three of their Item # 1345713 - Hillman 8 inch Gate Hinge Strap, Zinc. Welded together, these bits and bobs would form the replacement linkage.
My next step was laying out what I hoped would work.
In short order these pieces were cut and welded.
This was followed by a bit of orange paint (engine block Chevrolet orange matches nicely).
And the completed assembly.
I hope nobody else finds themselves in this bind, but if you do, this is one way to sort it.
--
John
