Ritter 38 #1 Posted June 20, 2019 (edited) I recently acquired a 312-A w/a 42" side discharge deck. It's loud as heck, so I need to remove and check the spindles. My main issue is that little lever that moves the deck wheels up and down has come off the unit and I'm not sure how it goes back on. (I'm presuming there was a spring or something there that held it on) Further, it looks like there are little 'stay pins' on the rod that the blade deck wheels connect to. They appear worn away, so the deck wheels just slide back and forth freely. I've tried to look at the diagrams, but they are too grainy up close to discern how it goes back together and what parts I need to fix. Any assistance with some close up pictures of the deck/lever/wheel mechanism would be GREATLY appreciated. I've posted pictures of the tractor in an earlier post. Thanks! Edited June 22, 2019 by Ritter Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,033 #2 Posted June 20, 2019 Not necessarily the exact model you have but good place to start. Click on the fuzzy picture Garry Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ritter 38 #3 Posted June 22, 2019 (edited) Thanks for the reply. I’m wondering if the bracket that controls height of the wheels is on correct (maybe PO had it welded on). I appreciate the diagrams, but still not enough clarity to see how the wheel lifter mechanism goes together. I put some pictures below. On the next thread, I show you the picture of my other WheelHorse Edited June 22, 2019 by Ritter Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ritter 38 #4 Posted June 22, 2019 Here is the lever on my other Wheel Horse The lever mechanism housing faces in. Any help would be appreciated! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ritter 38 #5 Posted June 22, 2019 I noticed underneath is also mangled. This fix is going to be interesting: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,033 #6 Posted June 22, 2019 If man made it man can fix it. I would start with 2 big adjustable wrenches closed up on the metal. One to hold the panel where it is good and one to start bending it back into shape. Just work your way along from the good part. Once it is close to the correct shape take the wrinkles out with a hammer and dolly. Garry Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ritter 38 #7 Posted June 22, 2019 I’ll try that today, Garry. Thanks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lee1977 6,647 #8 Posted June 22, 2019 (edited) I have a 48" with the baffles removed I cut just about as good as the one I have with them. On the height adjuster some one welded the 3/8" rod in backwards. There should be a short side on the rod that fits into the hole on the top of the channel and a spring fit on the long side. The bent end fit in the channel also. In the picture above the adjuster handle is in backwards. Edited June 22, 2019 by Lee1977 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ritter 38 #9 Posted June 23, 2019 (edited) Took Garry’s advice and worked on the baffles Edited June 23, 2019 by Ritter Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ritter 38 #10 Posted June 23, 2019 Now trying to spruce up the deck a little bit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ritter 38 #11 Posted June 23, 2019 This deck goes on to the Wheel Horse in the front. I’m really struggling with deck height problem. PO must have severely bent deck. Even on highest setting, the blades scalp so badly, the grass is almost all gone. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ritter 38 #12 Posted June 23, 2019 I need to figure out how to get more deck height in the rear. I’ll reconnect everything and show you all the clearance from blade to ground. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,583 #13 Posted June 23, 2019 looks like that rear side adjustment rod is much too long, coming from the lift bracket to the rear of the deck. the rods on my decks are much shorter, giving me much easier adjustment. overall , your deck has been frankinized , with brutal impacts and made up repairs. i used a cutting wheel to remove the similar rotted baffles on my deck, glad to see you got new blades. you can use the pictures on this site for reference to deck set up. i would rebuild or replace all spindles, rebuilding is cheaper, replace idler pulley ,any other area, might be cheaper to get a better used deck. you have a lot to deal with here . good luck with it , pete Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lee1977 6,647 #14 Posted June 25, 2019 Over half of the height adjuster is missing. That is the reason It's low in the back Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ritter 38 #15 Posted June 30, 2019 Thanks @Lee1977. The height adjuster looks like its on a bent deck. I did my best to bang out, and the results are better. I know I‘m missing the chute at the end of the deck, making the blade dangerously close to your foot. Any suggestions to get more height are appreciated. I‘m trying to get it back to normal. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tunahead72 2,411 #16 Posted July 1, 2019 On 6/30/2019 at 11:39 AM, Ritter said: ... I know I‘m missing the chute at the end of the deck, making the blade dangerously close to your foot... By "chute", I assume you mean the extension? I wouldn't worry about that, lots of us use our mowers on a regular basis without them. I think the bigger issue is that it looks like somebody cut the opening straight across for some reason. The deck originally would have had a more rounded profile on top at the opening, check out Lee1977's photo in his June 25th post for comparison. Yours is much straighter, I think that's why your blades are so dangerously close to the opening. How long are your new blades? They should each be pretty close to 14" long. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
