"Wee" Treads for Deck Wheels

[ri702bill 8,296]

Working on getting this 1970 32" gear drive deck going again, I found I needed to replace the aftermarket plastic lawnmower wheels on it. I searched the "Parts Department" and found that one of the later 3 blade C series decks I got from @Docwheelhorse had useable wheels with zerk fittings. Both needed a bit of attention - one was worn mostly on one side, the other was egg shaped.

I chucked them up in the lathe and trued them up, sanded them with coarse emery cloth. Now they looked like go-kart slicks. Figured why not groove them? Cut them with a boring bar, cleaned up the cuts with the tip of a #3 centerdrill by hand... I call them "Wee- treads"... The rubber actually cut just fine - in the past I have had to put rubber parts in the freezer for at least 2 hours before I could get a clean cut.

 

 

Edited February 7, 2023 by ri702bill

[CCW 1,292]

I do miss my access to the lathe and miller in my last metals lab.

[ri702bill 8,296]

1 minute ago, CCW said:

I do miss my access to the lathe and miller in my last metals lab.

... and that is exactly why we have the lathe and the large benchtop miller here.

 

CCW across the Big Pond is called "Anti-Clockwise"

[pacer 3,168]

Aint a lathe a wunnerful tool?? While I can make some complicated 3-4 hour project that could only be done on a lathe - or mill - what I find Im doing most is some little 10min bushing or extra thick washer to take up some slack, etc, etc, small items that I would have to order or go to the big box.

 

Was doing a 'pre-season' ck on my main mower D200 other rainey, cold day and spotted the steering wheel knob/spinner was missing the center piece (had the logo on it). So I go over to the "stock pile" - (odds/ends of cut-offs etc) and spot a round piece of 1/1/2" brass .... 10-15 mins later I had me a nice shiney brass insert for the Knob!!

[ri702bill 8,296]

6 minutes ago, pacer said:

10-15 mins later I had me a nice shiney brass insert for the Knob!!

Yup, cutting and grooving these was not even a 2 beer job!! 

[c-series don 8,677]

That’s brilliant! Makes me want a lathe! 

[squonk 41,041]

Az Tractor had a bin of those wheels at the show. Like 15 bucks or so.

 

Edited February 7, 2023 by squonk

[ri702bill 8,296]

OK .....new, or gently used ??

Edited February 7, 2023 by ri702bill

[Handy Don 12,178]

54 minutes ago, squonk said:

Az Tractor had a bin of those wheels at the show. Like 15 bucks or so.

 

Yep, I bought two!

[Lee1977 6,651]

On 2/7/2023 at 9:32 AM, ri702bill said:

Yup, cutting and grooving these was not even a 2 beer job!! 

Careful there those things are holler. I have a couple with holes in them on my 42"deck. I was looking for something else and found two in a box that wasn't that bad. I'll drill them out to 5/8" and add some brass bushings. 

[rick 233]

Has anyone replaced the bushings in these wheel assemblies?  Just wondering if there is a stock bushing available from Grainger or McMaster-Carr.  I've never knocked one out to see, maybe someone has?

[Lee1977 6,651]

11 minutes ago, rick said:

Has anyone replaced the bushings in these wheel assemblies?  Just wondering if there is a stock bushing available from Grainger or McMaster-Carr.  I've never knocked one out to see, maybe someone has?

They have splintered steel bushings, as above have drilled them out and added 5/8" OD x 1/2" ID brass bushings, They are easy to drill out, the original bushing provides little resistance. I believe they are welded in, so the hub is the bushing. The bushings can found at Tractor Supply in the drawer section if they keep them replaced.

Edited February 11, 2023 by Lee1977