RM-367 Mower Deck Spindle Gears

[Giff Kucsma 2]

In the process of replacing the spindle bearings on my RM-367 mower deck, I got to thinking about the gears that drive 'em.  As you can see in the image, the teeth are well worn, but only where they mesh with the cross-shafts teeth.

 

I'm wondering if there's any point in turning the gears over to engage the un-worn teeth.  But the cross-shaft gears have also worn in similar to the teeth on the spindle gears.

 

I'd appreciate anyone's opinion on the advisability of turning the gears over.

 

I'm neither a collector nor a restorer, but am the original owner of my 1967 Model 857 tractor.  It just might be the best made piece of equipment that I've ever owned.  Solidly built.  The Kohler engine has been ultra-reliable.  I've never even had the head off it.  Points, plug, carb cleaned, air filter replacement - that's about all I've ever done, yet it starts at one turn of the ignition switch.

 

In addition to mowing, I've also got a snow blower and mid-mounted grader blade, and a home-made trailer hitch for dragging my wood splitter around.

 

Thanks all.

 

(BTW it looks like Toro wants $116/each for these gears.  Not in my budget.)

 

Edited April 28, 2017 by Giff Kucsma
Added footnote for replacement cost.

[Ed Kennell 38,719]

I never had one of these apart Giff.    I am surprised it is only using less than half if the tooth length. Is there any way to increase the engagement, or is the mating gear too shallow?

Maybe WH designed gear teeth long so they could be flipped for double wear.      Xperts should be here soon to help.

[squonk 41,443]

That wear pattern is pretty common to what I have seen. I think turning the gear would work but the gear is worn to the side gear and it may be quite noisey. Rule of thumb on the gear drive decks is get lots of rags! 

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,104]

Don't think I would change them around. The two gears have matching wear and if one was turned future wear will be accelerated till they match again. The drive gears may have nothing left by then.

 

Garry

[Giff Kucsma 2]

On 4/28/2017 at 1:49 PM, Ed Kennell said:

I never had one of these apart Giff.    I am surprised it is only using less than half if the tooth length. Is there any way to increase the engagement, or is the mating gear too shallow?

Maybe WH designed gear teeth long so they could be flipped for double wear.      Xperts should be here soon to help.

 

No, Ed, there's no way to adjust the engagement.  I measured the teeth on both the driving (cross shaft) gear and the driven (spindle) gear.  The driving gear teeth are only 1/4" wide, while the driven gear is 5/8" wide.

 

In any event, I inadvertently flipped one of the spindle gears when re-installing and decided I'd leave it that way to see what, if any, effect it had.

 

 

18 hours ago, gwest_ca said:

Don't think I would change them around. The two gears have matching wear and if one was turned future wear will be accelerated till they match again. The drive gears may have nothing left by then.

 

Garry

 

Ja, Garry, that (accelerated wear) was something that occurred to me too.  But, as you can see by my reply to Ed, above, I left one gear as originally fitted but inadvertently flipped the other one.

 

But it's been 50 years now.  I'm almost 75.  I figure that if the mower deck lasts another 5 years it will have served me well.  Don't know if I'll rehabilitate it again.

[Digger 66 3,488]

On 4/28/2017 at 11:40 AM, Giff Kucsma said:

 

 

I'm neither a collector nor a restorer, but am the original owner of my 1967 Model 857 tractor. 

 

In addition to mowing, I've also got a snow blower and mid-mounted grader blade, and a home-made trailer hitch for dragging my wood splitter around.

 

 

 

1) Welcome to Red square 

2) 

3) I'd just keep a thin coating of grease on those gears as best you can . JMO .