Lman 14 #1 Posted September 23, 2023 Oh dear, this looks pretty bad, all my own fault for poor cleaning and not being aware of methods using penetrating oil. Tractor is a Honda 3813 from the mid 1980s, tractor is in good shape. Is it possible to stop the rot at this stage and have the wheel welded back on with some metal braces? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,772 #2 Posted September 23, 2023 @Lman get back to you , on my way out the door , just some ideas I use , Pete 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
8ntruck 7,114 #3 Posted September 23, 2023 The first question is how far has the rot spread? Since a wheel and bracket rusted off, there is a very good possibility that there are other advanced rusty spots on the deck. Rust repair can be done by cutting out the rusty areas and welding new sheet metal back. For an 'invisible' repair, the new sheet metal needs to be formed to match the original contours of the deck. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,772 #4 Posted September 23, 2023 @Lman not familiar with that deck, but deck problems are common with lack of a regular , look see / maintenance . looks like a re cycler , type of deck , initial view , was dry / lack of lubrication under deck , regularly stand mine on edge , wood blocking at frame , pulley area , holds it up to sun , for a heat soaking in of oil to metal , fine file blades . agree with @8ntruck possible issues , chance of finding a better used one ? that you could refurbish ? think once a deck has heavy structural rust / rot damage , you are beating a dead horse . if you were to get a used deck , would immediately get a clean up , penetrating oil soak down going on , along with , new bearing pulleys , upgrade lubrication . deck maintenance , BREAK THE GRUNGE CYCLE IS VITAL , cleaning out deck , propped up to sun , penetrating oil soak in to metal , hot deck sucks in the oil , kill off rot . also do that at end of season , upside down , oil feeding metal , fine file blades , enhance all mechanical linkage movement , belt drive squeal is telling you of bearing drag , pete 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lman 14 #5 Posted September 23, 2023 3 hours ago, 8ntruck said: The first question is how far has the rot spread? Since a wheel and bracket rusted off, there is a very good possibility that there are other advanced rusty spots on the deck. Rust repair can be done by cutting out the rusty areas and welding new sheet metal back. For an 'invisible' repair, the new sheet metal needs to be formed to match the original contours of the deck. Yes, I suppose the metal has got brittle in places. I've got another mower I can use for the rest of this season, I'll have to trailer it over each time but it's not far. I wasn't at my son's when it happened, he says didn't hit anything. As wonderful a machine the water-cooled Honda is, he has always hated the bagging procedure. The other machine can be emptied without getting off, makes a huge difference. I hail from an age when lawn tractors didn't collect at all, you just rode the clippings in a line and got the rake and wheelbarrow out... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lman 14 #6 Posted September 23, 2023 (edited) 3 hours ago, peter lena said: @Lman not familiar with that deck, but deck problems are common with lack of a regular , look see / maintenance . looks like a re cycler , type of deck , initial view , was dry / lack of lubrication under deck , regularly stand mine on edge , wood blocking at frame , pulley area , holds it up to sun , for a heat soaking in of oil to metal , fine file blades . agree with @8ntruck possible issues , chance of finding a better used one ? that you could refurbish ? think once a deck has heavy structural rust / rot damage , you are beating a dead horse . if you were to get a used deck , would immediately get a clean up , penetrating oil soak down going on , along with , new bearing pulleys , upgrade lubrication . deck maintenance , BREAK THE GRUNGE CYCLE IS VITAL , cleaning out deck , propped up to sun , penetrating oil soak in to metal , hot deck sucks in the oil , kill off rot . also do that at end of season , upside down , oil feeding metal , fine file blades , enhance all mechanical linkage movement , belt drive squeal is telling you of bearing drag , pete Thank you, Peter, wise words. I understand how the oil in the sun would get soaked up. How stupid of me to not do have done that before. I replaced the 4 bearings on the spindles of that deck some years ago, after one or two had broken. It's very rare finding a used deck of this type in a better condition, I think I'm stuck with making do. The plastic round thing on the right spindle is like a turbofan, giving the clippings a boost to go up the tube. I've always found it an extremely heavy, solid deck. It still feels and handles that way, even now. I'm probably willing to spend a few hundred on reconstruction welding, IF I find somewhere that will take the job on. The front wheel bears quite a bit of weight when the deck is down, when has three wheels at the back. Look how it's originally welded onto the side of the shell, perhaps feels a little under-engineered, it could have maybe done with a bit more support. I still have the flap, #2 in the drawing somewhere, almost mint condition because it came with a bagger too. Edited September 23, 2023 by Lman 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davem1111 2,037 #7 Posted September 23, 2023 My opinion, which is far from expert, is that someone with even poor to moderate welding skills (like mine) could weld a piece of sheet metal over (or behind) that hole then weld the wheel bracket back on. I'm thinking something light enough to put a bend in to follow the left-to-right curve of the deck, maybe 3/16" thick? 1/8" seems too light and 1/4" probably too heavy to bend easily. Another thing I would do is get some rebar that is light enough to bend, maybe 3/8" or 7/16"? that could be bent to follow the curve and weld to the bottom lip on that front edge. I have several WH decks that have had this done to them by previous owners. It doesn't look bad after some paint. That bracket to the left of the wheel looks a little "light" on welds too. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,772 #8 Posted September 23, 2023 @Lman that front roller could easily be wider , maybe 2 of them side by side ? reduce the stress / make it stronger ? who ever you get to do that for you , bounce around some ideas . personally think that single narrow roller , should have been a double wider roller . good luck with it , Pete 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
