$25 48in Mower deck

[sgtsampay 117]

Hello all. I took a trip down to NH for a possible new engine for the 312-8 that I'm rebuilding for a friend. Well, after driving 4 hours one way, I found out that the owner didn't have anything really wheelhorse or any good engines. So, then I was like "I'm coming back home with something, as i just 4 hours!" Thats when I saw them, overturn in the brush and by a tree. It was a 36in RD deck that was complete with mule drive but was the older style with sealed spindles. Under that deck however was the real prize, it a decent shape 48in complete deck with nothing frozen and brandnew blades. I then asked the guy how much he wanted and he said to make him an offer, so I said $50 for the both. He said deal

So, I put the 36in for sale with the Raider 10 for now and then I started stripping the 48. After lots of time with my new $23 air impact, lots of PB blaster, and several later I got the deck stripped down to the three spindles, one pulley still on, and two blades still on.

I then call it good for the night and then this morning before work I took the air wrench to the nuts and still nothing. So I got out my neighbor's breaker bar, a 1 1/2 foot long pipe and large C-clamps to hold the blades. The nuts finally then came loose and gave up. I then had to use the bar again on the spindle bots to get the spindles off the deck.

So, now its finally all part. Boy was that a bear to get apart. Lot of corrosion and surface rust on everything. I also had some time to clean up the spindles and get them looking good and ready for paint. I also noticed that they are generally very tight and solid. One of them however is a little beat-up on the housing but hey, they look better than my other deck.

So tonight I plan on sanding and grinding to see what they are for cracks and holes. I have found three small cracks so far and a mid-size hole but the baffles and the rest of the deck are solid. So, I will take some picture tonight.

Oh, and since I'm going all out with this deck, I will get all new bolts expect for the spindle mounting bolts since those cleaned up very easily.

Also, I will be painting the spindles and pulleys tonight and then hopefully start painting the whole deck by Sunday after work. Now, the sad part of all of this, is I can;t use the deck as it won't fit on my 4ft-6ft trailer that I use to haul my tractor around to my mowing sites. O, well at least I will have a nice deck that I can use anytime i want and for now I will just leave it at the farm since i will be mowing 3 acres every 2ish weeks this summer.

[sgtsampay 117]

Here is what it looked like when i got it home. Kinda rusty ehh?

Also, I got all new bolts, nuts, springs for a whopping $10. LOL. Thats so cheap!

[Horse'n Around 22]

Sweet! It so cool when deals like that come up.

[Sparky-(Admin) 23,729]

Looks like a great deal !

It also looks like its time to install some sort of bed-liner in yer new truck.

Mike.......

[SAM58 31]

:thumbs: Way to go... :wh:

[sgtsampay 117]

Yeah I want a new bed liner for it so bad but they are about $500 for a drop in or spray in. I personal still don't know which way to go, but a different story. LOL

UPDATE: I sanded everything down the best I could. I then made two patches for the two holes and got them clamped and ready for welding. I then also found a total of 5 cracks and I will drill them on the ends and have them welded. 9Unless you guys have a better idea) I also got everything but the deck shell primed and ready for painting. I also painted the spindles and pulleys aluminum and started painting some little parts black. the rest will be red.

I will try and get some pictures today for you all.

[sgtsampay 117]

Here are some pictures of everything but the shell painted up. I think it came out nice:

And here is the shell welded up. I found 5 cracks and two patches. Not to bad at all. I will dress up the welds a little tomorrow and then fiberglass the outside to make it look are nice and smooth. Then I plan to prime and then paint it Monday with the spray gun.

[sgtsampay 117]

Here is the deck all done up. Its finally done! i thin kit came out great. Total cost was:

$25 for the deck.

$10 for new hardware.

$30 for paint.

$20 for new drive belt.

Total= $85. Not bad at all!

[312Hydro 474]

You did a really great resto on that deck! :hide:

[Duff 206]

Great job on the deck, Bobby!

~Duff :WRS:

[Lil_tbird 0]

what color of red did you use sgtsampay:wh:

[sgtsampay 117]

Thanks guys. I used MF red from tractor supply. I use the that color by aceident on my tractor, so i decided to keep them all the same color for now on.

Thanks guys for the compliments. :hide:

[mavfreak 11]

Looks great bobby!

[Lane Ranger 11,602]

Bobby: Looks like that 4 hour trip paid you lots of benefits for your Wheel Horse's!

There is a lot of Wheel Horse stuff still out there...

:hide: