Searcher60 209 #1 Posted December 23, 2021 Happy holidays everyone! Hey, do you guys know how to tell the difference between the early and late model mower deck spindle assembly‘s? I have both earlier and late model spindle assemblies from decks that were parted it out. I see that the earlier decks had 3/4 shaft, with maybe a 3/4” hole in the mower blade. However, the housing and spacer looks the same. I see no difference between center and rear discharge, nor 48” and 42”. However, pulleys are different size. What am I missing? Can all this interchange? Thanks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
daveoman1966 3,745 #2 Posted December 24, 2021 Spindles for the 42 & 48 decks are interchangeable but, as noted, the pulleys are different sizes..as are, of course, the blades. The spindles shafts...and pulleys... on SOME use KEYWAY (woodruff keys). These shafts using keyways are ONLY 3/4" diameter. Shafts (and pulleys) that do NOT have keyways are 5/8" diameter. Replacement bearings for the TOP of these spindles...3/4 or 5/8 shafts...are also different. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lee1977 6,648 #3 Posted December 24, 2021 The difference in smaller pulleys on 42" decks is to keep the blade tip speed the same as the 48" decks with larger pulleys. The 70's deck were double Ds two flat sides each end of on a 3/4" shaft. Some where around the 80's they changed to 3/4" keyed they did for a few years. Then they changed to metric shafts 3/4" at the blade 17mm for the bearings and 5/8" at the pulley. The aluminum spindle housings are the same for the 3/4' keyed and the 17mm metric, but evey thing else is different. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Searcher60 209 #4 Posted December 24, 2021 This is a question. Since the attach-magic came out in like 1973, could we say that all the aluminum spindle housings are interchangeable? 42”, 48”, rear and side discharge, all housings interchange? I do not see any difference in the spindle housing itself with the ones that I have. Am I missing something? I make a busing to use the 42”, 3/4” keyed pulley on the 5/8” non-keyed shaft. Pulley are the same diameter. I may have found a way around the expensive dual groove center pulley ($100 w/tax and shipping) on the 42” deck. But I have a lathe and drill press. I can make one up new for less than $35 cost. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,035 #5 Posted December 24, 2021 The keyed pulleys used a locking nut to secure them. They changed to no keys using a regular nut and lock washer which works. The natural direction of rotation keeps the nut tight. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lee1977 6,648 #6 Posted December 27, 2021 (edited) On 12/24/2021 at 11:10 AM, Searcher60 said: This is a question. Since the attach-magic came out in like 1973, could we say that all the aluminum spindle housings are interchangeable? 42”, 48”, rear and side discharge, all housings interchange? I do not see any difference in the spindle housing itself with the ones that I have. Am I missing something? I make a busing to use the 42”, 3/4” keyed pulley on the 5/8” non-keyed shaft. Pulley are the same diameter. I may have found a way around the expensive dual groove center pulley ($100 w/tax and shipping) on the 42” deck. But I have a lathe and drill press. I can make one up new for less than $35 cost. The old double d's are different as they had 3/4" needle bearing on the bottom used until the late 70's or early 80's. I'm not sure when they changed. The 3/4" keyed and the metric are the same for 40 mm OD 6203 bearings. As for the later model decks with 3/4" keyed or metric the pulleys are the same diameter. Edited December 27, 2021 by Lee1977 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
