removing center pully on mower deck

[randyh 4]

How do you remove the center pullys on a 48 mower deck

Are they press fit or threaded on

I soaked with penetrating oil and also tried heating with a torch didnt want to get it too hot

Any suggestions appreciated

[slammer302 2,155]

It should not be pressed on. They can be tough to get off. 

[oldlineman 1,481]

I believe some are on a keyed shaft and some are on a tapered shaft some will chime in and help for sure.

[Ed Kennell 38,021]

I just removed one from an older 48" deck.   This was the old style side drive deck.    It was held on by a 3/8 -16 HHCS that actually locks the pulley on the shaft with the shoulder on the bottom of the pulley fixing the  inner race of the upper bearing to the shaft.  The shaft and the pulley each have a flat on each side that prevents the pulley from turning on the shaft.   My pulley came right off when I took the 3/8 " bolt out.  Hope this isn't too confusing. I can take pics tomorrow if you want.

Edited March 17, 2016 by ekennell

[randyh 4]

picks would be good

not sure what a side dive is

mower probably from the mid 80s

thanks

dont see any bolts

[Ed Kennell 38,021]

10 hours ago, randyh said:

picks would be good

not sure what a side dive is

mower probably from the mid 80s

thanks

dont see any bolts

 

Before WH started using the front mule drive  in the early '70s, the mower drive belts went straight down from the engine PTO  with a tensioning pulley on the side of the tractor.

 

 

I believe the pulley bore should look like the shaft with the two flats.   Most of the flats in the pulley bore have just worn away with time probably due to a loose bolt.

Edited March 17, 2016 by ekennell

[randyh 4]

Here is what I am dealing with

[Ed Kennell 38,021]

I think they that one is just pressed on.  Those pressed steel pulleys are difficult to get off without bending the flanges.  May be try twisting to break it loose.  Block the blade and use a strap wrench on the pulley ?  You may have to put a piece of old V belt in the pulleys to get the strap wrench to grip.   I hope these are cheaper than the cast pulley #106848 that I need.   $173 from parts tree and or $143 from Jacks small engine.

[Ed Kennell 38,021]

Maybe a large bearing separator  would work either under the pulley if you have room or in the pulley Vee groove.  It could give a gear puller something solid to pull against.

 

[slammer302 2,155]

1 hour ago, randyh said:

Here is what I am dealing with

I've had luck using a tap to make threads in the two holes in the top of the pulley so I can screw two long bolts into them and use my fly wheel puller to pull it off. You will have to remove the grease zerk to do it this way but it works and saves the pulley.

[randyh 4]

OK, problem solved. I had this thing soaking in PB Blaster since monday,it wasn't budging.

I decided to take a chance on something radical.

after looking at some exploded views of the deck

I removed the grease fitting, placed a block of hardwood on top of the shaft and gave it a hard rap with a hammer to drive the shaft down through the bearing housing.

It worked.

Should have tried it sooner.

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions

Next time someone has this problem I hope this helps them

[Ed Kennell 38,021]

                                       The BFH wins again.

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,032]

If this has a Woodruff key you can leave it out providing the pulley will freely spin on the shaft. You may need to file a burr off. Then lots of Never Seize so it comes off easier next time plus a new regular nut and lockwasher.

Garry

[Lane Ranger 10,945]

I used PB Blaster on one of those center pulleys several years ago.  I sprayed and sprayed and hoped it would just jump off!   But what I did finally was srapy some more, turn over the mower deck and sray the top side.   I left it overnight on the garage floor and low and behold the pulley fell off during the night!  

 

But I do like you did now and take off the grease fitting use a dowell rod (one inch or more) or a piece of hardwood and tap on the top of the threaded spindle and that usally does it -with the PB Blaster added !