48 Side Discharge Deck - Spindle Bearings - Sealed?

Quick update. Rough clean up is done, the bearings tapped out easily. Tomorrow is another day. If I can't find the 3 cans of brake clean I bought last week, I'll be off to Wally World or TSC in the morning.

I noticed two things, One spacer sleeve was rusted and one of the bearings was a metal shielded, the other three were neoprene. Me thinks someone else has been tinkering with this deck.

Time for my evening reward.

Thanks for all the help.

Kurt

M Bailey wrote: While you have the deck off I highly recommend installing at least 2 washout ports on your big 48" deck to alleviate the caked on grass situation, they really do work and would help eliminate rust holes in the future.
Keep us posted!

Tell me more about the washout ports. I see them on the newer tractors, but I have no experience with them.

Thanks,

Kurt

Geno wrote: Nice to see something go easy for once Kurt. Don't get used to it.

I'm going to pay the price for this somewhere. Probably in spades!!!

[quote="Kurt-NEPA"

Tell me more about the washout ports. I see them on the newer tractors, but I have no experience with them.

Thanks,

Kurt[/quote]

Washout ports are arguably the best thing since sliced bread. When the water hits the blades which are moving at ~18,000 feet per minute tip speed, or roughly 200 mph it acts like a pressure washer on steroids and literally blasts the crud off the inside of the deck. Pretty cheap insurance for an expensive deck.

M Bailey wrote: [When the water hits the blades which are moving at ~18,000 feet per minute tip speed, or roughly 200 mph it acts like a pressure washer on steroids and literally blasts the crud off the inside of the deck. Pretty cheap insurance for an expensive deck.

I like that idea Major, I'm going to check it out.

BTW. The two outboard spindle are done. Went easy. I decided to go ahead and do the center one and I'm glad I did. The snap ring was loose and the bottom bearing was trashed. Funny it felt good. Anyway, Its got new bearings now. One of my outboard pulleys is bent, so I'll see if I can find one. As soon as I find a 3/4-16 nut for the bottom of the center spindle (yep! its been Bozo'd by a impact wrench) I'll button this up and give it a try.

This winter, I think I'll replace the center spindle housing that has a piece broken off.

Thanks for all the help.

Kurt

Too cool Kurt! Glad you're about to wrap it up. Good thing you decided to check that center bearing for sure, and I'll bet the last owner didn't clean out the snap ring grooves before putting it back together I have 2 decks to rebuild this winter myself which as the wife says "keeps me out of her hair". You done good bro.

M Bailey wrote: I have 2 decks to rebuild this winter myself which as the wife says "keeps me out of her hair". You done good bro.

So you have a wife like that too. Actually, since we retired, All she does is putter in her garden, crochet, and watch murder mysteries. I can't stand murder mysteries, at least not non-stop 16 hours a day. So I go work in my shop and repair old tractors. Not a bad diversion and much better than some of the other options.

Well, I declare victory and have retired from the field. I buttoned the deck up and got it mounted on my 520H. What a difference when I engaged the PTO. The noise and vibration are gone. Well worth the cost of the bearings and about a days work. I still have a lot of cosmetic work to do, but that can wait.

Major, Mega Thank You's for all the help .

Kurt