Mystery deck

[1977walleyeguy 18]

This was attached to a 1977 B-100 that I am currently rehabbing. 

I was told it’s not the original deck and was an add on later in its life.

from what I have found in the manuals thus far is there was a 36” or a 42” deck option for this series of tractor.

i measured across the deck and come up with 42”

unfortunately the “tag” was a printed style and has long since lost its numbering.

my most immediate need is a pto too deck belt , the one I pulled of is toast, but lacks any identification on it as well. 

My gut tells me I’ll be rehabbing the deck too from my quick inspection.

suggestions or directions to head on better identifying?

[1977walleyeguy 18]

Update: 

the design looks spot on to the 1977 42" RD parts manual i found here.

If it is then i need 1/2 x 98" pto to deck belt, number 108834 is what i came up with?

[1977walleyeguy 18]

Update 2:

After second review

this deck has three front idler wheels- the 1977 42"rd parts manual only shows 1 in the center.

now i am a little puzzled.

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,033]

Here is a list of the 42" RD decks in the order they were produced

 

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 - (Has the flat spindle belt idler pulley mounted on a triangular plate) - (Has multi-link hardware at the gauge wheel support)

                                          Last to use blades with 5/8" x 3/4" double-D center hole unless the spindles have been upgraded.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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) Uses blades with 3/4" center hole

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 - Last year for bearings with 3/4" ID

1985 model 05-42MR03 - First year for bearings with 17mm ID unless older spindles were updated.

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)

 

Note - 17mm is .669"

 

Garry

[Herder 2,354]

That's a 42" RD.  I to am a little puzzled.  All the 42" decks that I have seen have three idler wheels in the front.  The 32" & 36" decks have only a center one.  The deck you have appears to be in nice condition.  to Red Square.

[troutbum70 857]

That deck looks exactly like the RD deck that came on my 1986 417-8 and the center holes are 3/4 inch same as the 42 inch SD deck that I have on it now.

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,033]

Two belt idlers are mounted ahead of the front tractor axle to redirect the belt back to the center double spindle pulley on the deck. This front assembly is often referred to as the mule or mule drive.

 

Most decks have one idler on the deck with a few exceptions.

The 37" SD two-blade deck has two idlers that could be flat or V-style depending if the drive belt has 4 sides like most common belts or 6-sided double-V belt.

Some 60" decks also used a 6-sided double-V belt.

 

The front idler assembly is part of the mower deck and some illustrations show it with the deck and others have it on a separate illustration/page.

 

Garry

 

[1977walleyeguy 18]

Did they always use a printed sticker like tag on the decks or was there a particular year that they switched to the sticker style? 

Might help narrow down the search field.

i will get better pictures and disassemble a blade to get measurements / pictures.

 

My tractor does have the dual pulley setup on the mule.

[Lee1977 6,647]

I would say that the deck is a lot newer then 1977 and it's not Double D.  Pull the covers and check the tops of the spindles If the tops are 3/4" the deck is from the early 80"s. if the top of the spindles are 5/8" it has Metric spindles that they started useing some where around 1985. I am guessing the deck is late 80's or newer.

Edited August 13, 2019 by Lee1977

[peter lena 8,583]

do you have a local T/S STORE?  if you do, bring in your deck belt and match one up, having done a few of these decks now , i am aware of the regular trouble areas . UNSUPPORTED  BACK SIDE REAR , BELT BOUNCE, makes the idler pulley fail ,and noisy. i counter that with a added pulley  in your picture , in the middle of the unsupported rear belt , with a deck mounted pulley , with light tension  on that 20 + inch belt stretch. i would go after any and all lubrication points , and basically use the belt replacement as a starting point to recovering that deck. i usually  get a 1" shorter belt , that helps in the belt bounce area, having just done two ,42" r/d decks , you will be catching up on neglect. the eventual rebuilding is so worth it, smooth and quiet , with no effort in its working, just looking at your picture, i can relate , i know what i would do , pete  

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,033]

Added the change in bearings to the mower DNA list

 

Garry

[1977walleyeguy 18]

Thank you for the guidance and information.

Will do more investigate with the info. provided.

[1977walleyeguy 18]

2 hours ago, peter lena said:

do you have a local T/S STORE?  if you do, bring in your deck belt and match one up, having done a few of these decks now , i am aware of the regular trouble areas . UNSUPPORTED  BACK SIDE REAR , BELT BOUNCE, makes the idler pulley fail ,and noisy. i counter that with a added pulley  in your picture , in the middle of the unsupported rear belt , with a deck mounted pulley , with light tension  on that 20 + inch belt stretch. i would go after any and all lubrication points , and basically use the belt replacement as a starting point to recovering that deck. i usually  get a 1" shorter belt , that helps in the belt bounce area, having just done two ,42" r/d decks , you will be catching up on neglect. the eventual rebuilding is so worth it, smooth and quiet , with no effort in its working, just looking at your picture, i can relate , i know what i would do , pete  

Peter,

can you link me to the hardware you used or a post (if you created one) on the adding the secondary pulley?

I am interested in that down the road during this little project I got myself into for the Misses.

thank you, 

[peter lena 8,583]

1977walleyguy ,https://www.amazon.com/Original-Craftsman-Husqvarna-131494-Maintenance/dp/B00ESB7A28/ref=asc_df_B00ESB7A28/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=344089306795&hvpos=1o3&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13846582278230428070&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9003291&hvtargid=aud-799727667774:pla-805503485194&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=67585364285&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=344089306795&hvpos=1o3&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13846582278230428070&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9003291&hvtargid=aud-799727667774:pla-805503485194,  you can get this on the net, i like the longer  center bushing , that lets the pulley stand off the deck, tractor supply might even have it along with your belt. i,m looking for a picture i sent in, to send to you , pete

[peter lena 8,583]

found the picture, 

last picture shows the mounted added pulley, on my 42" r/d deck , pete

[1977walleyeguy 18]

Awesome, thank you Peter.

[peter lena 8,583]

those bearings were  #  6203-2 rs   3/4" i d   the upper grease seal is toro 106075 or  # 473380  napa  or other auto parts, by the way LUCAS  RED AND TACKY GREASE , is what you want in the spindles , 550 drop point , no bearing failure, pete

[JaysHorse 287]

I have a full set of like new blades for that deck and several other parts from one I had disassembled. Let me know if you are interested 

[1977walleyeguy 18]

On 8/13/2019 at 9:24 PM, JaysHorse said:

I have a full set of like new blades for that deck and several other parts from one I had disassembled. Let me know if you are interested 

Thanks - i'll keep that in mind, initially i am interested in the blades.

I'm going to be honest and tell you the motor currently has all of my attention as it is become the rabbit hole that i'm currently working thru.