Help Identifying This Deck

[ZebraIII 2]

I picked up a 1989 312-8 and have it in pretty good shape after a couple weeks of paint & detailing.

I do need to replace a spindle shaft on the deck.

I started looking at the manuals here and realized that the deck was not from a 1989 machine.

The closest match I can find is a 1973-1975 42" SD #5-1010, but the illustrations show the height adjustment lever & mechanism as being on the left side of the deck, mine is located on the right.

Can anyone help to identify this deck?

Thanks in advance!

[daveoman1966 3,751]

I agree that your deck is model 5-1010, or something of that vintage.  The schematic you posted is of a 48" deck 5-1210 and Wheelhorse just used the schematic of 5-1210 as for BOTH 42" and 48" decks.  The differences are but a few: 1: 42" deck does NOT have the support plate #2. 2: the 48" height adjust lever is on the LEFT side the 42" is on the right side  3: the belt cover for the 42" is NOT a rectangular shape as #37 in the pic above, but is more rounded and bolts directly into the deck shell.  The belt cover for the 48" deck bolts into the support plate #2.  Of course, the blades are longer for the 48" deck.  

NEXT.. The center spindle and pulley or the deck you have is NOT original.  The two outside spindles are orginal.  Someone has upgraded from the original 'Double-D' spindles to a later style...they have the same 4-bolt mounting pattern for the deck shell, but the pulley and blades are different.  The 42" belt cover for your deck would look like this:  

Edited April 17, 2020 by daveoman1966

[ZebraIII 2]

8 hours ago, daveoman1966 said:

I agree that your deck is model 5-1010, or something of that vintage.  The schematic you posted is of a 48" deck 5-1210 and Wheelhorse just used the schematic of 5-1210 as for BOTH 42" and 48" decks.  The differences are but a few: 1: 42" deck does NOT have the support plate #2. 2: the 48" height adjust lever is on the LEFT side the 42" is on the right side  3: the belt cover for the 42" is NOT a rectangular shape as #37 in the pic above, but is more rounded and bolts directly into the deck shell.  The belt cover for the 48" deck bolts into the support plate #2.  Of course, the blades are longer for the 48" deck.  

NEXT.. The center spindle and pulley or the deck you have is NOT original.  The two outside spindles are orginal.  Someone has upgraded from the original 'Double-D' spindles to a later style...they have the same 4-bolt mounting pattern for the deck shell, but the pulley and blades are different.  The 42" belt cover for your deck would look like this:  

Thank you for clearing up the height adjuster question, I was going crazy looking at all the manuals looking for a match. The belt cover is missing (and I assumed the support plate was also), so I'll be keeping an eye out for that.

The center spindle is actually the main problem. The two original style spindles are in great shape, but the shaft on the newer style is worn just about in half from where the blade rides on it.

I know it will be a lot easier to find the newer style, but now I don't know which spindle it actually is or what the part number would be for the shaft. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge!

 

[oliver2-44 9,729]

 

@ZebraIII Your 312 really cleaned up nice.

Some new decals from Terry in our vendors section would finish it off.   used his American patriotic series on my 312 II redid a few years ago.

 

[The Tuul Crib 7,336]

T😎 

 

[daveoman1966 3,751]

You may have misunderstood me.  The 42" does NOT use the support plate for the belt cover to bolt to....only the 48 does.

I have s decent belt cover for that 42" deck.   

As for the center spindle shaft...  does the pulley have a key way for a WOODRUFF KEY and is 3/4" dia, or does it NOT have the key slot...in which case the spindle shaft would be 5/8" dia on top.  If it has the key slot, I may have a replacement shaft to suit.  

 

[ZebraIII 2]

18 minutes ago, oliver2-44 said:

 

@ZebraIII Your 312 really cleaned up nice.

Some new decals from Terry in our vendors section would finish it off.   used his American patriotic series on my 312 II redid a few years ago.

 

 

 

I agree and yours looks real good! I didn't do anything to the hood or seat pan except wax them. I don't believe my painting skills are good enough to tackle those two pieces, but I do wish the hood sticker was in better shape.

[ZebraIII 2]

14 minutes ago, The Tool Crib said:

T😎 

 

 

 

Thank you!

[ZebraIII 2]

9 minutes ago, daveoman1966 said:

You may have misunderstood me.  The 42" does NOT use the support plate for the belt cover to bolt to....only the 48 does.

I have s decent belt cover for that 42" deck.   

As for the center spindle shaft...  does the pulley have a key way for a WOODRUFF KEY and is 3/4" dia, or does it NOT have the key slot...in which case the spindle shaft would be 5/8" dia on top.  If it has the key slot, I may have a replacement shaft to suit.  

 

 

 

I did understand you, I just didn't make my response clear. I had thought I was missing the support bracket, but now know I'm not.

The shaft does have a key way, but I'm not sure of the diameter or length. I will get a picture of it and measure it up later and let you know. 

I did notice that the blade sat lower (closer to the ground) than the other two blades, but then realized that the previous owner had put a washer between the blade and the shoulder on the shaft.

I guess he did this to move it away from the worn area of the shaft. If you have the correct shaft and the cover and are willing to sell them, that would be great!

[ZebraIII 2]

@daveoman1966

Okay, the shaft is 3/4" diameter and the OAL is 7-1/16".

[daveoman1966 3,751]

OK...I am familiar with that shaft and will have a look-C if I have a replacement for you.  

 

 

[ZebraIII 2]

6 minutes ago, daveoman1966 said:

OK...I am familiar with that shaft and will have a look-C if I have a replacement for you.  

 

 

 

Thank you sir!

[oldlineman 1,481]

Looks like that blade was looooooooooooooooooooose for a while.    

[ZebraIII 2]

31 minutes ago, oldlineman said:

Looks like that blade was looooooooooooooooooooose for a while.    

 

Yes it does! I got it that way and don't understand how someone could run it long enough to do that kind of damage!

[Pullstart 62,834]

Maybe the were trimming the rows in their garden?  I imagine the striping would have been horrible!  Good on you for fixing it up right