Fabricated 42" SD, success!

[654jim 51]

Finished the deck build I "mentioned" in another thread!

 Thought I'd wrap it up here.  To recap, I had a friend cnc 

plasma cut, and weld up a shell. I replaced my original spindles

with aftermarket , replacements for CubCadet 1045-1046 deck.

Had to fab up the center DRIVE pulley, and modify the Tensioner

design.  Cut 1/2 acre of grass today,, Looks to be a success!!!

 

[654jim 51]

1990 312-8, with 607 hrs. Any guesses to the "HRS" left 

in the ole girl???

 

[WVHillbilly520H 10,373]

So how much did it set you back? 

[troutbum70 857]

nicely done

[bc.gold 3,403]

45 minutes ago, WVHillbilly520H said:

So how much did it set you back? 

 

I'm guessing $300.00

[654jim 51]

I'm in, with material, belt, spraypaint, tension spring,spindles ect.. about $200.

 My friend hasn't billed his time yet!!   He's "reluctant" to bill friends.. I'll settle up

with him at some point!!!

[daveoman1966 3,745]

The deck shell.... Would SS been that much more expensive to use than cold roll?  SS would, or course, last FOREVER and never rust out.

In 1992 or so, I cut out a cardboard template to make a SS liner for my 48" deck and it shown no sign of degrading.  The  original outer steel shell has also held up well since the acidic grass cutting never get at the steel to rust / corrode it.  

 

[WVHillbilly520H 10,373]

8 hours ago, 654jim said:

I'm in, with material, belt, spraypaint, tension spring,spindles ect.. about $200.

 My friend hasn't billed his time yet!!   He's "reluctant" to bill friends.. I'll settle up

with him at some point!!!

No really too bad... I would have guessed more... And I know time is money so that might increase your total 2 fold but still very reasonable IMO.

[peter lena 8,583]

654jim , terrific work on that Jim !  i was glad to see the integration of ideas , past and future in your make up , i have found that a regular oil spray down on the underside ,not only feeds the metal , but kills off the grunge. the other thing i have done on my decks is to add an idler pulley on the long unsupported back side of the deck belt, in your 4 th  picture you can clearly see the area. picture a idler pulley line ,directly under the drive line pulley lightly pushing up toward the drive pulley , that has really smoothed out my belt drive. pulley is pushing belt  up from the lower outside edge. stay after the lever height linkage , regularly lubricate it , for smooth and easy lift. i like your work , wish you were closer , to swap ideas and improvements ,  pete

[WHX?? 48,790]

That's really nice work Jim!

Gotta ask tho with all the good used  decks out ther why build your own? I just saw one like that on CL with a bagger for 50 bucks?

Satisfaction of just building your own?

[WVHillbilly520H 10,373]

1 hour ago, WHX24 said:

That's really nice work Jim!

Gotta ask tho with all the good used  decks out ther why build your own? I just saw one like that on CL with a bagger for 50 bucks?

Satisfaction of just building your own?

Wish I could find a "good" used deck around here for $50... Junk for $100 is what usually find in my area.

[Stepney 2,325]

Same here.. I've paid 150+ for banged up old rusty decks. There's none to be found in my area. 

[WHX?? 48,790]

Just the opposite here fellas. Decent used ones come up all the time on CL. Well I shouldn't say decent cause I don't ever go look at them. I have so many decks I can't even remember which tractor they came off from! They go cheap because they only work on a horse and the tractor probably was sold or scrapped without it.

Here's the 38 for 50 clams. Probably does need some TLC tho.

[654jim 51]

I was checking $bay for awhile... No $50 decks on there!!

This is JohnDeere country, VERY few WheelHorse tractors were 

sold around these parts. Anything local would have been sold 

for scrap few years back when steel hit $400 a ton!!!

    I would have to pay $300 for GOOD wheelhorse spindles!

   and the fact its MY deck!  I helped build!!!!!!

Edited September 25, 2019 by 654jim

[Stepney 2,325]

I'd love to find a good 37SD like that. Never seen a usable one under 200. 

[mrc 810]

awesome work 654jim!   the spindles you bought seem very inexpensive.  i know squat about cubs. newer cub stuff or older cub stuff? how come so cheap?  as our decks age we will have to resort to this type of ingenuity.  thanks for posting.  mike in mass.

Edited September 26, 2019 by mrc

[654jim 51]

On 9/24/2019 at 10:13 PM, daveoman1966 said:

The deck shell.... Would SS been that much more expensive to use than cold roll?  SS would, or course, last FOREVER and never rust out.

In 1992 or so, I cut out a cardboard template to make a SS liner for my 48" deck and it shown no sign of degrading.  The  original outer steel shell has also held up well since the acidic grass cutting never get at the steel to rust / corrode it.  

 

cold rolled steel is $5 sq.ft.  Stainless is around $20, plus my friend says increase welding costs.

[654jim 51]

7 hours ago, mrc said:

awesome work 654jim!   the spindles you bought seem very inexpensive.  i know squat about cubs. newer cub stuff or older cub stuff? how come so cheap?  as our decks age we will have to resort to this type of ingenuity.  thanks for posting.  mike in mass.

They are 'china' replacements, not OEM CubCadet!!  Time will tell!!!!

[daveoman1966 3,745]

3 hours ago, 654jim said:

cold rolled steel is $5 sq.ft.  Stainless is around $20, plus my friend says increase welding costs.

Reeeaaallly.....Stainless Steel is $20 per square foot?????  

 

[654jim 51]

'NET search says so!

[daveoman1966 3,745]

1 hour ago, 654jim said:

'NET search says so!

Jeeeesus ....   r u kidding me.  

 

Edited September 28, 2019 by daveoman1966

[cleat 5,812]

On 9/24/2019 at 10:38 PM, 654jim said:

I'm in, with material, belt, spraypaint, tension spring,spindles ect.. about $200.

 My friend hasn't billed his time yet!!   He's "reluctant" to bill friends.. I'll settle up

with him at some point!!!

 

If your friend would make some bare housings up I am sure they would sell (even adding in his labour costs).

 

I have enough parts to make at least 2 or 3 decks already completely restored, just need the shells.

 

48" would be a better size for me.

 

Shipping them could likely be an issue as well.

 

Awesome build, fabricated decks are always the best.

 

Thanks for sharing with us.

 

Cleat

[trailhopper 49]

That's great work. I love seeing things like this, functional modifications. I've considered attempting the same with a 48" deck, but so far the one I have is hanging on. What gauge steel did you end up using? Again great work.

 

-Scott

[654jim 51]

its 10Ga..  .135" cold rolled steel.  Feels pretty substantial

Maybe go to 8ga top if your building a 48"..with 10 ga sides.. 

   

    Friend says he's swamped at the shop... not really interested in "mass producing" anything!

                 I think he likes to challenge of one-offs....something new everyday!

[cleat 5,812]

Did you by chance make up any plans.

 

The 48" has a plate that bolts on top for extra support.

 

That plate rarely goes bad so it could be re-used on a 48" deck.

 

One could be made for the 42 as well I suppose.

 

Again, looks great.

 

Thanks again