Kubota built this workshop manual (OEM #97897-17150) around a single machine: the RC72-38 Rotary Mower, covered from blade spindle and gear box through belt drive and cutting deck. The 40 pages include a maintenance schedule broken out by service interval, from daily checks through 2-year work, plus a troubleshooting section and 6 pages of step-by-step disassembly and assembly for the power transmission and lifting mechanism. Factory torque tables, exploded views of every major assembly, and full servicing specifications are all here. Torque the mower blade screw to 98.1-117.7 N·m, and hold bevel gear backlash in the gear box between 0.13 and 0.25 mm. While the deck sits idle, you are guessing at the fix. Bookmarks jump you straight to the section you need; pull it up on a tablet and get to work.
What's Inside This Kubota RC72-38 Manual
| System | Pages | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Safety First | 3-5 | - |
| Safety Decals | 6 | Danger, Warning, Caution, Care of Danger, Warning and Caution Labels |
| Terminology | 7 | Front Gauge Wheel, Gear Box, Belt Cover, Deck, Universal Joint, Blade |
| Specifications | 8 | Suitable tractor, Mounting method, Cutting width, Cutting height, Blade spindle speed, Number of blades |
Quick Reference Specifications
| Specification | Value | Page |
|---|---|---|
| Mower blade screw torque | 98.1 to 117.7 N·m | p. 31 |
| Gear box mounting screw (Standard type / Reamer type) torque | 77.6 to 90.2 N·m | p. 31 |
| Gear box mounting screw (Standard type / Reamer type) torque (related to belt system) | 77.6 to 90.2 N·m | p. 32 |
| Bevel Gears in Gear Box backlash (Factory spec.) | 0.13 to 0.25 mm | p. 39 |
| Bevel Gears in Gear Box backlash (Allowable limit) | 0.40 mm | p. 39 |
| Center pulley holder screw (Standard type / Reamer type) torque | 77.6 to 90.2 N·m | p. 31 |
| Outer pulley mounting nut torque | 166.7 to 186.3 N·m | p. 31 |
| M10 (Ordinariness, SS400, S20C) general use bolt torque | 39.3 to 45.1 N·m | p. 13 |
| Front link length (L) | 540 mm | p. 22 |
| Connecting rod length (L) | 1010 mm | p. 21 |
| Cutting width | 1826 mm | p. 8 |
| Weight (Approx.) | 210 kg | p. 8 |
Kubota RC72-38 Common Problems This Manual Covers
Kubota RC72-38 blades not turning after full PTO engagement, deck completely dead p. 31
Verify PTO engagement is complete at the tractor, then remove the belt cover and trace the mower belt for breaks or derailment off the pulleys. If the belt is seated, check the outer pulley mounting nut and torque to 166.7 N·m (page 31). Inspect the mid-PTO clutch for wear and confirm the engagement linkage moves freely end to end.
Manual Section: Blade Does Not TurnUncut strips of grass remaining after adjusting cutting height, blades appear level p. 24
Set connecting rod length to 1010 mm (page 21) and front link length to 540 mm (page 22), then verify clearance between the front stopper and mid hanger bracket is 2.0 mm (page 24). Inspect all blades for bending or wear. After any blade replacement, torque blade screws to 98.1 N·m (page 15).
Manual Section: Cutting Is PoorDeck vibrates hard and makes loud rattling noise while mowing at speed p. 15
Stop immediately and remove the belt cover. Inspect all blades for bends, cracks, or missing material, then torque blade screws to 98.1 N·m (page 15). Spin each spindle hub by hand and feel for rough or notchy bearing rotation. Verify all deck hardware against the torque specifications on page 13 before restarting.
Manual Section: Cutting Is PoorBelt slipping and burning smell from the deck after short time under load p. 31
Remove the belt cover and check every idler pulley for seized bearings or flat spots. Verify the belt is correctly routed through the full drive path with no kinking or misalignment. Torque the outer pulley mounting nut to 166.7 N·m (page 31). Clear any packed grass debris from around all pulleys before reinstalling the cover.
Manual Section: Blade Speed Is SlowDeck will not lift, stays on ground even with hydraulic lever fully raised p. 21
Inspect the full linkage system for broken or bent components. Measure the connecting rod against the 1010 mm spec (page 21) and the front link against 540 mm (page 22). Confirm the tractor's 3-point hydraulic circuit is pressurizing correctly and all clevis pins are seated and locked. Replace any cracked or bent linkage before attempting to lift under load.
Manual Section: Mower Is Not LiftedFrequently Asked Questions
How do I reset the Kubota RC72-38 mower deck linkage?
Park the tractor on firm, flat, level ground, then raise the 3-point hitch to its highest position. Turn the turnbuckles on the left and right connecting rods until the clearance between the front stopper and mid hanger bracket sits at 2.0 to 5.0 mm (0.08 to 0.20 in.) and the clearance between the rear stopper and rear hanger bracket sits at 5.0 to 10.0 mm (0.20 to 0.39 in.). Connecting rod length (A) should measure 1010 mm (39.8 in.).
What are the torque specs for the RC72-38 spindle bolts or gearbox bolts?
Mower blade screws take 98.1 to 117.7 N·m (10.0 to 12.0 kgf·m, 72.3 to 86.8 ft-lbs). Gear box mounting screws (Standard type / Reamer type) call for 77.6 to 90.2 N·m (8.0 to 9.2 kgf·m, 57.1 to 66.5 ft-lbs). The outer pulley mounting nut needs 166.7 to 186.3 N·m (17.0 to 19.0 kgf·m, 123.0 to 137.4 ft-lbs).
How do I remove and reinstall the RC72-38 mid-mount mower deck?
Installation starts with the engine running: raise the 3-point hitch, turn the steering wheel fully left, then stop the engine and pull the key. Take the cover off the mid-PTO shaft, roll the mower under the tractor from the right side, and bring the steering wheel back to center. Attach the front link to the deck, connect the universal joint to the mid-PTO shaft, then attach the rear links to the mower deck. To remove it, run these steps in reverse.
What is the correct PTO or driveline setup for the RC72-38?
Power runs from the mid-PTO shaft to the blades through a universal joint. Set up the driveline by pulling back the coupler of the universal joint, pushing it onto the mid-PTO shaft, then releasing the coupler. Slide the universal joint back and forth to confirm it locks securely. The transmission path to the center blade is: Mid-PTO Shaft → Universal Joint (4) → Pinion Shaft (3) → Bevel Gear (2) → Bevel Gear (1) → Bevel Gear Shaft (7) → Center Blade (5).
how to reset Kubota RC72-38 mower deck
Set the tractor on level ground with the parking brake on, raise the 3-point hitch to its highest position, then shut off the engine and remove the key. Turn the turnbuckles on the left and right connecting rods until the clearance between the front stopper and mid hanger bracket reads 2.0 to 5.0 mm (0.08 to 0.20 in.) and the clearance between the rear stopper and rear hanger bracket reads 5.0 to 10.0 mm (0.20 to 0.39 in.). Connecting rod length (A) should be 1010 mm (39.8 in.).
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