Adapting decks

[Edward Martin 0]

Hello folks,

  I am wondering if anyone has used a 400 or 500 series deck on a xi series machine... I was thinking of using the mounting gear from a 522xi mow deck and adapt it to a 48" 4 or 500 series deck. Has this endeavor been atempted by anyone on here? I am handy with a welder and cutoff saw so modifications to the gear should be no problem. Am I wasting time doing that?

[roadapples 6,983]

Can't answer your question, but 

           

[Edward Martin 0]

Thank you very much! 

[JoeM 7,871]

Very possible, some welding skills of course. I looked at it a couple times because my daughters machine has a 48 that is near the end and I have a very good 48 from a 520 in the barn. 

The last time i looked at it, an entire machine at a good price, with a decent deck came up and I moved on. 

Both decks are the same size and the difference is the rigging.

I did have some kind of brainstorm to attempt making an adapter for the 520 deck that bolted on and fit the xi.

Fuel for thought. 

There seems to be more 3,4,500 series decks out there than xi.  

Edited September 8, 2021 by JoeM

[Edward Martin 0]

Yes thats what I have found also, plenty of older 400 and 500 series decks but very few xi stuff available. If I could get my hands on a good reasonably priced 48" 3,4 or 500 series deck I would grab it and do the mod... but finding a really good deck in my driving radius hasn't been too promising! So I joined this awesome group here for maybe a little education and also to share my experiments with my ideas. Do you still have that 48"?

[JoeM 7,871]

2 hours ago, Edward Martin said:

Do you still have that 48"?

yes and if I decide to sell you will be the first to know. Or if I get to tinkering with that adapter idea I will share! 

[Edward Martin 0]

Either way that works for me! Thanks.

[c-series don 8,671]

I too am handy with a welder and a torch, however in this case I believe your time is better well spent on finding the right deck. Just my two cents but I think buy the time you go through all that effort and getting it square and level, just get the right one. Again just my opinion. 

[Edward Martin 0]

Thanks for the input, you are correct on the time involved vs the gain in the end. It may be easier to locate a deck, but as of now I am looking for other avenues to get the grass cut working with what I have. Thanks again friend.

[Pullstart 62,807]

 

I have a 48” Xi deck that I blew apart for a proper rebuild before I sell it.  I noticed the heavy plate on top allows for grass and dirt to pack between the two pieces sandwiched together, so I plan to drill holes about and plug weld it to the shell and stitch it around the perimeter too.  

[Pullstart 62,807]

I also like to point out, the front axle pivot on these heavy Xi machines seems very under-engineered.  Please take a moment to jack up the tractor by the frame in order to let the front axle droop.  This is the best way to see how worn the pivot pin and frame really are.

 

 

[Edward Martin 0]

Thats some valuable info you've shared... tbank you. If I understand this correctly you are going to have a totally rebuilt 48" deck with modifications for sale? How much will you get for that deck?