Aldon 4,826 #1 Posted September 22, 2016 (edited) Gents, What is the purpose of the holes machined into rear of the 42 inch deck. See circled area on pic. I am guessing it was for a chute of some type. Were any officially sold? At least, that is what I am considering adding to mine. Has anyone done so? Did it help reduce material collecting on the transmission? If someone has had success, what material did you use? The primary reason I wish to do this is that on one of my decks I use double blades and it produces a mulching affect but it also causes an inordinate amount of material to be ejected from the rear and propels it further. Thus causing even more to collect around the tranny. Edited September 22, 2016 by Aldon Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GlenPettit 1,716 #2 Posted September 22, 2016 (edited) IMG_0167.m4vIMG_0167.m4vIMG_0167.m4vIMG_0167.m4vIMG_0167.m4vAldon: In the early 80's, Wheel Horse offered a metal strip (Baffle, 3x30") to be bolted on there, only offered a short time ? What I did is bolt on a 4" piece of thick rubber, so it stuck out about 2" --- this greatly reduced the "updraft" of dry grass clippings (that settled on tranny & shift area), and helped keep the grass spread low & further. You may have to shorten it to 1" where the rear wheels may hit when turning. I recommend doing this, really helps. Glen (Kitchen floor edge, 4x36" costs bout $2-3, better is 'baler belting' at farm store, 4x120" is $8). Photos added 8:15pm. On the cost of Baler Belt, OMG, at our local TSC a 4"x10' piece was only $8.95. Could be any kind of heavy/thick rubber, like left-over horse-stall mat, or truck bed mat, or . . . ?). Edited September 23, 2016 by GlenPettit 9 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aldon 4,826 #3 Posted September 22, 2016 Thanks Glen! I will try the Tractor Supply ans see if I can locate the Baler Belting material. Just what I was looking for information wise! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shallowwatersailor 3,213 #4 Posted September 22, 2016 I have used vinyl baseboard material for the same purpose. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,032 #5 Posted September 22, 2016 It shows up for the very first 42" rear discharge decks 1976 model 65-42MR01 1977 models 75-42MR01 and 75-42MR02 Disappeared for 1978. There is a part number there but the description is wrong. Suspect the original 105832 part number got used later for a grooved pin. Garry 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aldon 4,826 #6 Posted September 22, 2016 Well the Baler Belt material was 40.00 and the baseboard material was less than 3.00 so I went with the baseboard material and will do proof of concept and see how the vinyl puts up with the abuse. If the addition of the chute improves the deflection of material and reduces significantly the build up on the tranny, I pony up for the longer life fix of baler belt. The baler belt material is exactly what I would choose if I knew of a certainty the chute would solve my issues. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aldon 4,826 #7 Posted October 12, 2016 Got around to sharpening blades, greasing spindles and installing the chute fabbed from baseboard molding. Just in time to store it until spring. but it it looks like it will at least block some if not all the clippings from collecting on the hydro. 7 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
briankd 817 #8 Posted October 13, 2016 I suppose this would work on the older RD decks. one reason I quite mowing with my 857. whole rear end axles / inside rear wheels went to crap. always washed and cleaned it every time I mowed. just got tired of xtra work cleaning to keep it nice. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GlenPettit 1,716 #9 Posted October 13, 2016 Aldon: Smart idea to tuck the ends of the rubber on the ends, I like it. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fast88pu 3,324 #10 Posted October 13, 2016 It's hard to see but it's on there lol 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tunahead72 2,403 #11 Posted October 14, 2016 15 hours ago, GlenPettit said: Aldon: Smart idea to tuck the ends of the rubber on the ends, I like it. Probably, unless it allows material to collect there instead of exiting out the back. I guess we'll just have to wait and see in the spring. Aldon, did you fasten those "tucks" somehow, or are they just loose inside the shell? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GlenPettit 1,716 #12 Posted October 15, 2016 fast88pu: It looks like your (nice looking) rear tires are a little larger than 23"DIA, and appear very close to the deck. For my deck extension, I had to trim off about 1" where the tires would have rubbed the rubber when turning. Actual testing in use will tell you the most. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fast88pu 3,324 #13 Posted October 16, 2016 They are 26x12x12 and do make contact when the deck is raised. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites