48" deck from 520HC rebuild

[cleat 6,605]

The deck that came with my 520-HC was all cracked up, bent up, and badly welded on so it was time for a rebuild.

 

First, it was totally stripped down.

 

 

Then a good pressure washing to see it better.

 

 

Next was to cut off the reinforcement plate (it had been welded on) and sandblast the deck.

Holy cracks batman.

There were cracks on cracks and blobs of weld everywhere.

 

 

Cracks are now welded up. 2 of the spindle mounts have been totally replaced.

Bolt and rod welded on for bagger mount.

 

There is one thin spot to fix still but it is otherwise done and ready for paint.

 

 

All brackets, spindles, mounts, guards, idlers etc have been totally rebuilt or replaced as necessary ready to bolt on once deck is done.

 

I have 3 48" decks here and this one is in the best shape. The other 2 are rusted badly.

[Pollack Pete 2,273]

Excellent job.Keeps ya outta bars,right???

[bds1984 1,452]

That looks like a lot of work!  If you lived closer, I'd say you could have the 48" shell that I have that laying around. 

[new horse 44]

really nice,

[cleat 6,605]

Thin spot is fixed. I am off on Monday and Tuesday so if it does not rain then it will get a final sanding and painting will start.

 

[cleat 6,605]

Bottom side has been painted with 3 coats of high temp black.

 

That seems to be the toughest paint that I have.

 

 

Once that is dry, I will flip it over and prime then paint the top side.

 

[cleat 6,605]

Top of deck primed and painted. Front anti-scalp rollers have been installed.

I will wait a couple more days for the paint to cure more before going any further.

 

 

This plate will mount on the underside of the deck to re-enforce where the quadrant connects.

 

I drilled and installed a stainless steel bushing on the gage wheel support shaft where the trunnion inserts as that hole was quite wallowed out.

 

[cleat 6,605]

Deck support greased underneath and top of deck greased where support contacts it to help prevent rust between these.

 

Spindles and deck support installed.

 

Spindles greased and pulleys installed.

 

 

Belt tension assembly installed.

 

 

Belt installed.

 

Left hand guard installed and right hand guard bracket installed.

 

The rest of the brackets will be installed in a few days.

 

 

Edited April 26, 2016 by cleat

[Phatboy 565]

Typical cleat a job done in Perfection as always,,, man some people were blessed with all the talent !!! Awesome job cleat as always buddy !!!

[Wishin4a416 2,191]

Looks good Cleat! Will be like brand new.

[cleat 6,605]

Here are a couple of shots from underneath.

 

Still need to balance and install the blades.

[new horse 44]

really nice!!,

 

[cleat 6,605]

Deck assembled, decals installed, blades balanced and installed.

Installed deck onto 520-HC.

 

 

Still need to test out bagger whenever grass starts to grow.

 

[TDF5G 2,069]

You do good work! 

 

It's just too nice to use now. 

[Phatboy 565]

Lol dam you cleat !!! Im coming to live with you!!! Me and my 520 haha

 

[Wishin4a416 2,191]

Really nice! What is the double pulley for on the right Cleat? Bagger?

[cleat 6,605]

Yes, and that is why the big square guard on that side as well.

 

I just want to mow a bit and make sure the deck itself is good then I will try out the bagger.

 

[bds1984 1,452]

Looks nice, Cleat!  And quite a bit of work!  I took the easy route, I found a brand new 48" deck that has never seen grass and probably wont for quite a while either!  I took off the 269H hardware and replaced it with that off my C165's original deck.  The best part about this new deck is the $140 price I paid for it!

 

[cleat 6,605]

I would call that the smart and lucky route.

 

Do those big front roller wheels on the deck cause any issues ?

[bds1984 1,452]

Yes, lucky for sure.  Fortunately for me they don't cause any clearance issues with the swept axle on the machine.  I could see it being an issue with a straight axle machine.

[woodchuckfarmer 333]

Cleat, looks like you put all new spindles on it

[cleat 6,605]

No new spindles, just disassembled and bead blasted then painted with silver aluminum paint.

 

The spindle shafts and associated parts were painted high temp black. New bearings were installed. All washers are new. Spindles bolted in with new stainless steel bolts.

 

I have new blades and belts but installed the used belts as they looked good.

 

Blades were bead blasted, painted, and balanced.

Edited April 30, 2016 by cleat

[608KEB 796]

On 4/27/2016 at 6:18 PM, cleat said:

Here are a couple of shots from underneath.

 

Still need to balance and install the blades.

Let me know how the paint underneath the deck holds up. Thanks!

 

[cleat 6,605]

Will do. Next time the deck is off I will clean it up and get some pics.

[Vixmith 25]

Cleat, this is an outstanding rebuild very professionally done!

Appreciate it much with all your info.  My 48" SD deck is in need of much the same and if you don't mind I will attempt to plagiarize your work.  My deck is leaving some streaks in the lawn, as if some of the blades are not cutting level with others.

what did you do to check blade alignment horizontally and vertically?  Asking because it appeared there was some warpage remaining after you repaired all the cracks on the stripped down deck.

Great job !   Wish I had your talent.

Thanx,  VGS