C-160 42 inch deck restoration…

[RoubaixRider 52]

Well,

I finally shot some some paint on the deck after a frew days of rust and surface prep. My deck had spent several years outside in the California semi-desert, and although not far gone, had a pretty good case of “patina.” Judging from the underside of the deck, it’s experienced very little use, and all of the fittings were still very well greased, and ran incredibly smooth, so for now, I decided to forgo going deep. I’ll do that in a little bit. I need to get this mower in action. This tractor, although gradually being restored is a user. The paint is Sunrise Red from RustOleum. I really think this color looks great and pretty close to what I remember. Wheelhorse Tractor’s looking like as a kid.

[ri702bill 8,738]

Looks good so far! Without the use of a hardener in the paint, it most likely take a couple of weeks for the paint to dry sufficiently to allow handling for reassembly. Been there, done that!

I see you wish to reassemble and get this goung soon...

Did you paint the underside also?? That is the most critical area to me - if the grass is damp and clippings stick to it once you finish mowing, that is where the rust-out problem begins.

So, if you painted it recently as the top - you may wish to invert the deck to allow the sun to reach the inside... If you did not paint the underside, NOW is a great time to choose a method to increase its life and deter the clippings from sticking, while the topside cures.

 

The opinions vary here by members on the forum for what "treatment" to use. Some prefer to use spray-on truck bed liner, others use POR-15, and @peter lena is a firm believer in the 2 step penetrating oil soakdown method. IMHO, any one of them is better than just paint on bare steel....

I am not seeing the curved insert for the bottom, some 42" decks have it as a separate item - if you have one and it is welded in - it usually does more harm than good - areas between the blades collect the clippings and are very difficult to clean out to prevent rust.

Nice use of the adjustable roll around rack for drying the parts. Search for the methods mentioned above for more info on each..

Bill

Edited July 1, 2023 by ri702bill

[peter lena 8,970]

@ @RoubaixRider nice job on that , do a regular look see on my stuff , just to check out on function and  durability / issues . notice a lot of mowing decks are very low , not allowing for  total  deck venting / discharge , that by itself is a major corrosion  builder . when I  drop a deck , in addidition to a light clean out , prop it up to the sun , for a hot dry out , lubricate it to kill off the grunge and give it a break from grass rot build up .the oil soak , tends to bake on the hot under of deck , preventing rust and helping it shed debris .  do this on my decks , no rust / rot  solid , pete

 

[peter lena 8,970]

@ri702bill  horse I picked up , got to a solid running state , everything worked , had a rear  bagger set up , that I  sold for parts . deck was like swiss cheese , spindles were rotted apart , probably never serviced , guy bought it for just what he needed, you know what i,m talking about . a lot of riding mower users , don,t do anything , till everything stops . old school , pete

[Brockport Bill 1,778]

here are a few decks done some rehab work on  - key thing to me is getting the underneath to bare metal -- getting the corrosion off -- i have also used professional sand blaster guy to save the really bad decks -- getting that degree of cleaning is a savior before whatever treatment you plan to then use

[peter lena 8,970]

@Brockport Bill   nice job on those decks ! its your interest and detailing that is the difference .  initially found that just  giving a deck a break form the grunge cycle , with a  light clean out oil soak and tilted to the sun , to get it hot and dry made a world of difference . then I got into the bearing failure / noise issue , and combined the 2  for a solidily  reliable . quiet unit . your weld repair  is spot on . also put them away dry / cleaned , and oil soak , greased over winter ,  scary how we agree on this common failure , pete

[Brockport Bill 1,778]

8 minutes ago, peter lena said:

@Brockport Bill   nice job on those decks ! its your interest and detailing that is the difference .  initially found that just  giving a deck a break form the grunge cycle , with a  light clean out oil soak and tilted to the sun , to get it hot and dry made a world of difference . then I got into the bearing failure / noise issue , and combined the 2  for a solidily  reliable . quiet unit . your weld repair  is spot on . also put them away dry / cleaned , and oil soak , greased over winter ,  scary how we agree on this common failure , pete

i am always impressed with your advice to to others about mower care and maintenance -- i have a deck i plan to do this fall with your oil soak method -- i only took basic 11th grade chemistry - -plus typical lessons from my Dad about equipment care and metal and moisture not mixing -------------- I've tried to pass along to my 2 children and grandsons about caring for tools and equipment --- it really is a shame to see so many WH decks ruined with rust through holes just because of people not caring about a periodic cleaning - using a putty knife, a pressure wash -- end of season maintenance, etc. Just the $ expense of new equipment would seemingly be enough motivation for people but apparently in our "throw away culture" its sad so many people toss items and just go buy a replacement. The WH tractors are life long equipment to protect - including the next generation ---- my grandsons are already being taught -  here are photos of 16 yr old grandson doing work on KT17 on C175....... my son snow plowing with the 312 in 1989 at age 8 ......... my sons 16 yr old and daughters 10 yr old replacing an electric pto clutch under a 257h a few months ago........ my now 16 yr grandson doing some mowing age 7, ........... and my grandson re-assembling the 37 s.d. mower after rehab ---- Take care, Bill

[peter lena 8,970]

@Brockport Bill   yes getting the grandkids  involved , is the deal .explain the reason for your insight , and their curiosity , fill in the gaps , at the next step phase now , where they ask about function and reasoning for such a set up , good stuff , pete

[Brockport Bill 1,778]

4 minutes ago, peter lena said:

@Brockport Bill   yes getting the grandkids  involved , is the deal .explain the reason for your insight , and their curiosity , fill in the gaps , at the next step phase now , where they ask about function and reasoning for such a set up , good stuff , pete

wow - the timing of your comment is amazing -- just yesterday my wife and daughter and I were discussing !!!!!!!!!!! We have 10 yr old twin grandsons - - Fraternal boys... so many things in common but other different traits -- one is very mechanical high apptitude -- loves any tool i use - drill motors, power saws, wrenches, etc - lots of questions from him. However, his brother is more into general world questions -- every topic we discuss he has continous questions -- especially, WHY?  So we never don't answer because as long as they both are curious we want to feed that appetite !!!!!!!!! Plus, they are both lego masters -- their creativity and detail skill is insane.. Therefore, to your point that all extends to .........  " Where they ask about function and reasoning"

[peter lena 8,970]

@Brockport Bill  thats your draw in opportunity , my grandaughter , is europe bound , in a couple of weeks , my grandson is just back from welding school , my other grandson / marine  is in final stage training to be a crew chief on a c 130 aircraft , be the solid source , reliable go to for , questions , awnsers . have them awnser their own question , make them think , no sarcasm , insults ,  back and forth , that conversation is what you want . good being an involved grandparent , pete

[Brockport Bill 1,778]

 

1 hour ago, peter lena said:

@Brockport Bill  thats your draw in opportunity , my grandaughter , is europe bound , in a couple of weeks , my grandson is just back from welding school , my other grandson / marine  is in final stage training to be a crew chief on a c 130 aircraft , be the solid source , reliable go to for , questions , awnsers . have them awnser their own question , make them think , no sarcasm , insults ,  back and forth , that conversation is what you want . good being an involved grandparent , pete

 awesome!!!!! - - you need score card to keep track of all those family travels and activities -- sounds like an active group -- Interesting coincidence tho -- my 16 yr old grandson in the photos is exploring welding school ?? Which school did yours go to? My grandson has other interests as well - perhaps Environmental Forrest Ranger/warden type position -- his Dad, our son is NYS Trooper -- and many ranger/wardens are actually combo law enforcement postions. He has couple yrs to decide. Your comment about having young folks answer their own questions is common technique we use as well - - stimulates their thinking, plus make them more responsible to solve their own issues!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[peter lena 8,970]

 

 

@Brockport Bill   bill , dan went to the  HOBART  WELDING SCHOOL / OHIO , got certified in 4 welding fields .was a 9 month course . he is on a list now for a maintiance / weld shop , pete

[Brockport Bill 1,778]

my summer jobs home from college i worked for the county highway dept and i loved in free moments wandering into repair shop to see the mechanics work on the big plow trucks, loaders, etc - -but also loved watching the welder - - such artists -- but demanding work on your feet all day. OUCH!!!  My grandson found a welding school somehere in New England ( NH or VT ) that's maybe 9 -- 12 months with various certificate skill courses -- its private school with small enrollment... i recall maybe 15-20 students????? I think my grandson also likes the appeal of school in NE for being able to hunt, fish, snowmobile, boat, ATV's etc

[RoubaixRider 52]

This deck looks fantastic. Nice work.

 

 

[RoubaixRider 52]

Well,

Got the decals installed that I purchased from Terry. Was pretty sure they were in the right spot…worked for me. Gave it that finished look. This is a deck that I use, and it worked very well…but now that the grass is cut, it’ll be sitting for a good while. 🤣

 

Thanks for the help guys,

Jason