48" Attach-A-Matic Mower Spindle Bearings

[TC10284 111]

Have a 48" Attach-A-Matic mower deck on a 416-8 where the spindle bearings went out on me I think on the left hand side of the deck (non-discharge side). Bearings were loud to begin with, even though they were greased every time before use. Started smoking on me a few days ago. Immediately stopped mower and swapped the deck out. Blades still turn freely by hand, but can hear a squeak noise when turning. 

 

Where can I find replacement bearings? 

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,037]

Here is a list of the decks to help you identify what you have.

If you have blades with a 3/4" center hole it will have 6203 bearings. There are two styles of 6203 used. One has a 3/4" ID and the other has 17 mm ID. Get 2RS bearings which have 2 seals - one on each side. They can be installed as is and not grease or remove an inner seal of each bearing and grease it.

If you can identify the mower deck find the manuals in our library. There will be a page there that shows a parts breakdown of the spindles. Keep in mind the spindle assemblies may have been upgraded in the past.

Mower DNA 48" side discharge

1966-1967 model RL-486 replaced by

1968 model 5-1481

1969 model 5-1482

1970 model 5-1483

1971 model 5-1200

1972 model 5-1201

1973 model 5-1202

1973-1974 model 5-1210

1975 model 5-1211

1976 model 65-48MS01

1976 model 65-48MS02

1977 model 75-48MS01 - These all used blades with 5/8" x 3/4" double-D center hole unless the spindles have been upgraded.

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Note - 3/4" or .750" is 19.05mm

1977 model 75-48MS02 - Uses 6203 bearings with 3/4" ID - (First deck to use blades with 3/4" center hole) - Originally had a nylon-insert nut holding spindle pulley on.

1978 model 85-48MS01 - Uses 6203 bearings with 3/4" ID - Originally had a nylon-insert nut holding spindle pulley on.

1979 model 95-48MS00 - Uses 6203 bearings with 3/4" ID - Originally had a nylon-insert nut holding spindle pulley on.

1979 model 95-48MS01 - Uses 6203 bearings with 3/4" ID - Originally had a nylon-insert nut holding spindle pulley on.

1980 model 05-48MS01 - Uses 6203 bearings with 3/4" ID - Originally had a nylon-insert nut holding spindle pulley on.

1981-1983 model 05-48MS02 - Uses 6203 bearings with 3/4" ID - Originally had a nylon-insert nut holding spindle pulley on.

1984 model 05-48MS03 - Uses 6203 bearings with 3/4" ID - Originally had a nylon-insert nut holding spindle pulley on.

 

Note - 17mm is .669"

1985 model 05-48MS04 - Uses 6203 bearings with 17mm ID - Originally had a standard nut and lockwasher holding spindle pulley on.

1986-1988 model 05-48MS05 - Uses 6203 bearings with 17mm ID - Originally had a standard nut and lockwasher holding spindle pulley on.

1987-1988 model 05-48SC01 - Uses 6203 bearings with 17mm ID - Originally had a standard nut and lockwasher holding spindle pulley on.

1989 model 15-48SC01 - Uses 6203 bearings with 17mm ID - Originally had a standard nut and lockwasher holding spindle pulley on.

1990 model 15-48SC02 - Uses 6203 bearings with 17mm ID - Originally had a standard nut and lockwasher holding spindle pulley on.

1991-1992 model 15-48SC03 - Uses 6203 bearings with 17mm ID - Originally had a standard nut and lockwasher holding spindle pulley on.

1993-1997 model 78360 - Uses 6203 bearings with 17mm ID - Originally had a standard nut and lockwasher holding spindle pulley on.

1998-2007 and 2009-12 model 78361 - Uses 6203 bearings with 17mm ID - (These all use blades with 3/4" center hole) - Originally had a standard nut and lockwasher holding spindle pulley on.

 

Example of one of the models

 

[peter lena 8,592]

@TC10284  if you are lucky enough to have the wide rubber side shield  6203 type / style bearing , they make a  bobmproof bearing with the correct grease . with out the HI TEMP  550+ DEG , POLYUREA  RATING  , a lubricant will liquify and fail under heat and lateral stress , a whyining . groaning  bearing , is telling you of lubricant failure , side seal removal is easy , small putty knife , pocket scale , wipe out , carb cleaner flush , repack to same ammount .  done that on my decks . and related  same mule drive bearings . no whyining noise , solid / smooth / quiet . realise this is not "  in the book " , but it defenetly  solves the lubrication failure .  also go after related pulleys , they regularly fail  / noisy  till  lubricant corrected .  just my experience ,pete

[Lee1977 6,654]

On 5/29/2023 at 12:53 PM, TC10284 said:

Have a 48" Attach-A-Matic mower deck on a 416-8 where the spindle bearings went out on me I think on the left hand side of the deck (non-discharge side). Bearings were loud to begin with, even though they were greased every time before use. Started smoking on me a few days ago. Immediately stopped mower and swapped the deck out. Blades still turn freely by hand, but can hear a squeak noise when turning. 

 

Where can I find replacement bearings? 

If you have 5/8" nuts above the pulleys you have 6203 metric bearings 40mm OD, 17 mm ID, 12 mm wide. Should be able to find them local or on the internet.

If the deck is the same year model as the tractor they will be metric. 

Edited June 1, 2023 by Lee1977

[TC10284 111]

I had a chance to look at the bearings yesterday. 

 

Turns out it was the idler pulley. The seal on the top was a little deformed enough to put some white lithium grease in it. After doing that, it spins freely and will spin for 30sec or more in my hand when I turn it as fast as I can. Whereas before, it was very rough. 

 

I've already ordered a new one, but will this one last a bit or should I toss it? I'm sure it'll probably get some dust and dirt in it from the seal being a little open on top. 

Edited June 11, 2023 by TC10284

[Lee1977 6,654]

If it's a rubber or vinyl seal you should be able to push it back in place. I pry the seal out with a small pocket screw driver wash the bearing with gas press grease in then press the seals back in. 

Just did that to the out side PTO bearing last week.