McSterritt 17 #1 Posted May 8, 2019 Hey all, I just finished breathing some new life into this deck I picked up. It’s a 85-42MR01 and it has a different height adjustment mechanism then most of the other decks I’ve seen. I’ve looked for an owners manual but I haven’t been able to find one for this particular deck. Honestly this is the first deck I’m going to put on my 520H and maybe the adjustment will become obvious when I start but I was wondering if anyone as seen an operators manual for one of these decks with what I will call “multi-link” rear height adjusting wheels? Will the adjustment be the same as rear discharge decks that have the simpler rear wheel setup? Before and after pictures bellow. Pretty much rebuilt everything. Thanks 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
McSterritt 17 #2 Posted May 8, 2019 Here’s another picture of the rear wheels. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WVHillbilly520H 10,373 #3 Posted May 8, 2019 5 hours ago, McSterritt said: Hey all, I just finished breathing some new life into this deck I picked up. It’s a 85-42MR01 and it has a different height adjustment mechanism then most of the other decks I’ve seen. I’ve looked for an owners manual but I haven’t been able to find one for this particular deck. Honestly this is the first deck I’m going to put on my 520H and maybe the adjustment will become obvious when I start but I was wondering if anyone as seen an operators manual for one of these decks with what I will call “multi-link” rear height adjusting wheels? Will the adjustment be the same as rear discharge decks that have the simpler rear wheel setup? Before and after pictures bellow. Pretty much rebuilt everything. Thanks What exactly are you trying to figure out? It looks to me like the gauge wheels adjust like any other newer mowing deck all the way up highest cut and vice versa then anywhere in between using the notches when mounted on the tractor the front anti-scalp wheels should be off higher than the gauge wheels when lowered on the grass/ground. The 3/8" threaded rod in the trunion is your leveling adjustment usually 1/8" lower in the front than back. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,033 #4 Posted May 8, 2019 We do not have an operator manual for any 42" RD decks with this type of height hardware. Here are all the 42" RD decks for the long frame tractors. Mower DNA 1976 model 65-42MR01 replaced by - (Has the flat spindle belt idler pulley mounted on a triangular plate.) - (Has multi-link hardware at the gauge wheel support) 1977 model 75-42MR01 - Both use blades with 5/8" x 3/4" double-D center hole unless the spindles have been upgraded. (Has the flat spindle belt idler pulley mounted on a triangular plate) - (Has multi-link hardware at the gauge wheel support) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1977 model 75-42MR02 replaced by - (Has the flat spindle belt idler pulley mounted on a flat bar) (Has multi-link hardware at the gauge wheel support) 1978 model 85-42MR01 - (Has the flat spindle belt idler pulley mounted on a flat bar) (Has multi-link hardware at the gauge wheel support) 1979 model 95-42MR01 - No ipl available 1979 model 95-42MR02 - (Has no multi-link hardware at the gauge wheel support) 1980-1983 model 05-42MR01 1984 model 05-42MR02 1985 model 05-42MR03 1986-1988 model 05-42MR04 1989-1990 model 15-42RC01 1990-1992 model 15-42RC02 1993-2012 model 78350 - (These use blades with 3/4" center hole) I will guess the 95-42MR01 existed on paper but was never produced. The change to the gauge wheel hardware was likely made at this point and the deck got the 95-42MR02 model number. I don't see a reason for any change to the deck adjustments Garry 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
McSterritt 17 #5 Posted May 8, 2019 My question was targeted at the rear trunion nut. I just wasent sure if the adjustment would be any different with this style rear wheel. Thanks for the help. Now if it would stop raining in NY I could throw the deck on and do some mowing! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lynnmor 7,302 #6 Posted May 8, 2019 I would think that the nut would be adjusted the same way to level the deck. The 520H will not accept a 42" SIDE discharge deck, but will accept a 42" REAR discharge produced during the same years. I wonder if the different linkage and wheel placement might interfere with the large tires on the 520H, which is the issue with a side discharge. Just thinking out loud, but check that first thing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,583 #7 Posted May 8, 2019 mcsterritt, nice looking job on that, my main question is what did you to preserve the bottom side ? having done extensive rustproofing work on these decks , is vital , along with regular cleaning and drying in the sun , heating up the deck upside down with an oil soak , really kills off the grunge and draws in the oil to the metal. that grass acid has to be regularly countered , i put a " rustproofing deck " site on this site . i use LUBRIPLATE CHAIN AND CABLE SPRAY , for rustproofing , thanks for showing your work , pete Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
McSterritt 17 #9 Posted May 10, 2019 On 5/8/2019 at 9:29 AM, lynnmor said: I would think that the nut would be adjusted the same way to level the deck. The 520H will not accept a 42" SIDE discharge deck, but will accept a 42" REAR discharge produced during the same years. I wonder if the different linkage and wheel placement might interfere with the large tires on the 520H, which is the issue with a side discharge. Just thinking out loud, but check that first thing. Deck is on and adjusted. It fits perfectly. Ill see if I can get a picture tonight. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
McSterritt 17 #10 Posted May 10, 2019 On 5/8/2019 at 12:22 PM, peter lena said: mcsterritt, nice looking job on that, my main question is what did you to preserve the bottom side ? having done extensive rustproofing work on these decks , is vital , along with regular cleaning and drying in the sun , heating up the deck upside down with an oil soak , really kills off the grunge and draws in the oil to the metal. that grass acid has to be regularly countered , i put a " rustproofing deck " site on this site . i use LUBRIPLATE CHAIN AND CABLE SPRAY , for rustproofing , thanks for showing your work , pete I hit the bottom with a wire wheel, then used a rust converter, then but a coat of oil based paint over that followed by a coat of fluid film. I don't doubt that the paint will get ripped right off but it was for peace of mind. Ill check it throughout the season and add fluid film as needed. I like your idea of the oil soak. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lt4jim 1 #11 Posted May 10, 2019 Any chance you have a picture of the bottom of the deck showing any baffles, etc. I'm working on my RD deck that was modified by someone in the past (it at least has a hole cut in the side). Just want to check if anything was modified underneath. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
McSterritt 17 #12 Posted May 11, 2019 Here’s a picture of it on the 520 and a picture of the underside. On 5/8/2019 at 9:29 AM, lynnmor said: I would think that the nut would be adjusted the same way to level the deck. The 520H will not accept a 42" SIDE discharge deck, but will accept a 42" REAR discharge produced during the same years. I wonder if the different linkage and wheel placement might interfere with the large tires on the 520H, which is the issue with a side discharge. Just thinking out loud, but check that first thing. Also is is it true a 42 side discharge deck won’t fit on a 520? Mine came with one installed when I bought it but I took it off rather quickly because it was pretty rusty. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,583 #13 Posted May 11, 2019 note those 2 triangle flat baffles at the front bottom edge of the deck. they are the major cause of rot , the two entry / exit points , get regularly plugged up. i first drilled a 1, 1/2" hole on the bottom flat side to vent and access cleaning. it barely helped, so i cut that plate out . for cleaning . your deck looks very good on bottom . just stay after it , pete Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
McSterritt 17 #14 Posted May 11, 2019 Thanks Pete! When I saw those two areas I thought that was a horrible design. I can see cutting those out down the road. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lt4jim 1 #15 Posted May 11, 2019 Thanks for the bottom pic. Good job on restoring it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites