Mower Deck Pulley Removal

[bds1984 1,429]

I'm stumped on this, guys. I cannot remove the pulley from the left side of a 42" side-discharge deck. The nut and lock washer are off, I've soaked it in penetrating oil, heated one side with a torch, and used a large puller. The puller bent up the pulley to the point it is useless so as a last resort I drilled two holes and used a couple quicklinks attached to my puller. Nothing. Not a budge. I give up. Any ideas?

[Jayzauto 89]

Will the forcing screw actually fit thru the center of the pulley??   Looks like the forcing screw is wider than than the shaft your pushing against???

 

Maybe try 2 pickle forks at 180* between the pulley and the deck......

 

Or a socket as a spacer between the forcing screw and the shaft....something that your sure will fit inside the pulley....

 

But, it appears the pulley is junk, so just cut it off??

 

 

GLuck, Jay

[Goldnboy 910]

At this stage the simplest method is to use a angle grinder  to cut "carefully"  the pulley close to the shaft and not damage  the threads. Depending  on your skill you may need to do this to two sides

 

You may  also need to use a chisel to wack the pulley  few at the end.

[Ed Kennell 38,054]

Drive a couple chisels between the bottom of the pulley hub and the top of the deck.

  Block the spindle housing under the deck. 

 Then with pressure on the puller screw, whack the end of the screw with a BFH.

 

[87 312-8 1]

ok so at this point i read all the posts on removing the pulleys from the spindle shafts, i got the two outside pulleys off, on my 1987 36 inch rear discharge mowing deck. Had no luck using wonder or other pry bars. I took off my 3 cutting blades, removing all washers and on end of spindle shaft there was a molded nut at the end of shaft, i put on a impact socket with 1/2 inch impact gun and use big pipe wrench to grab  outside of pulley and brace it against the existing carriage ( braces ) on top of deck and with repeating heating, and impacting and soaking with penetrating oil for 5 plus days the outside pulleys finally spun off with minimal damage that can be filed and sanded back to original condition. However middle double pulley still has not bulged. Looking to trying some heat and some dry ice on spindle. And big hammer!! And some extra info, ordered new flat idler which matched all dimensions, except they put in smaller bearing, may have to pry out top seal and hand pack with grease and pop seal back in more often. Spindle shaft where pulley sets definitely super rusted as you would suspect after 36 years.

Edited April 28, 2023 by 87 312-8

[GAJoe 842]

This worked great after soaking in Kroil. Can't imaging why you had trouble. What penetrating oil did you use?

Edited May 10, 2023 by GAJoe

[peter lena 8,592]

@GAJoe found Kroil to be the best with some sitting /  and usage, the creeping ability  of it is amazing , some auto parts stores have it , or on line , Kroil also has a fuel treatment , pete

[hotajax 223]

Plus 2 for Kroil.  Most amazing product since toilet paper with ridges.   Don't be afraid to let it sit for a few days, with liberal soaks in between. 

Edited May 17, 2023 by hotajax