Mower Deck Wheel Bolt Diameter?

[Anglo Traction 761]

In the process of refurbishing a late 1970s 36" MR Deck. I have had a new pair of Steel Rimmed Wheels (110506) shipped over to me in UK (without bolts).

I found these are bored/reamed 1/2" dia. Hoping to use the old Wheel bolts, I found they are 17/32" dia Square headed bolts which obviously won't fit.

Needless to say, I will have to warm the bolts up to anneal them and machine down to 1/2"  and Oil Harden them back to original hardness.

 

So, I was caught out with the assumption that the Wheel Bore/ Bolt size remained standard from the point they adopted the fitting method from around 1970.

Could these wheels have come from another Model/Make, or did they change the Bore/Bolt size at some stage?...........just out of curiosity.      

 

 

 

[Don1977 604]

I had a set of worn mower deck wheels. We chucked them in the lath and bored them out and added brass bushings. I think it would be easier to modify the wheels. They used 1/2" deck wheel bolts over here.

 

This is a Wheel Horse mower deck wheel.  I bought two 20 years ago, still have used them. I had 4 used ones and picked the best two and added the bushings. They are chewed up around the edges but still have some tread. I don't remember ever changing the bushings.

 

Edited October 4, 2016 by Don1977

[Anglo Traction 761]

Thanks for the reply.

The old bolts look original and are in a bit of a state and it's not practical to try and machine down to 1/2", or bore the new wheels out to fit the bolts.

I've decided to to make some new square head 1/2" dia bolts, as I had some good grade square steel stock.

Can't seem to add pics or links here anymore. Thanks again.

[Anglo Traction 761]

Just bumping this to say that the bolts are now finished and fitted.....   with Pics !!. measuring the Plain Shank length with the Old Bolt  laying on the Bed Ways-

 

 

Started the 3/8" UNC Thread by Screwcutting and finishing with a Die-

 

 

All done ready for fitting-

 

 

Regards