Tim Ziethen 3 #1 Posted January 30, 2022 I am looking at two different 48 inch mower deck - the one has a heavy reinforced plate under the pulleys which I think is older and another deck without that plate but it has the 1/2 inch round bar (almost like rebar) welded to the bottom edge around the deck. Question: Which is better, stronger should last longer? Does it matter? Thanks! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 38,044 #2 Posted January 30, 2022 Got any pictures Tim? All my 48"ers have the heavy plate under the pulleys. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pacer 3,168 #3 Posted January 31, 2022 I think?? the plate one was/is older version. The ones with the plate can have a surprise waiting ---- the plate will capture and hold water between the plate and main body and ..... well, there can be a nasty surprise when you separate them. I've had 2 that gave me that, I had to scrap one, was so bad. Bout the best you can do (without separating them) is to flip the deck and inspect the bottom for rust holes.... 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lee1977 6,648 #4 Posted January 31, 2022 I was just looking at 48" decks parts list I can find a 48" deck with out the plate. !966 all the to the last Classic Wheel Horses. You may be look at a 42" deck they never had the plate. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tim Ziethen 3 #5 Posted January 31, 2022 thanks for feedback - does anyone know why some 48 inch decks have the reinforcing bar welded on the bottom edge? When and why did that start and is there anything else different between the decks without the reinforcing bar at the lower edge and the ones with it? thanks 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pacer 3,168 #6 Posted January 31, 2022 Dont know WHY -- but its a good idea. I had one deck that was so gnarley around the front edges that I took a cut-off wheel and trimmed it back bout 1/2-5/8" and welded the rod myself. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff-C175 7,199 #7 Posted January 31, 2022 (edited) 1 hour ago, Tim Ziethen said: anyone know why some 48 inch decks have the reinforcing bar welded on the bottom edge? Can't specifically say why without second guessing WH Engineering. My 1980 48" SD deck did NOT have the reinforcement bar. I added one to the rear as part of my quest to prevent the lifting cradle mounting points from cracking again, and again...and again... plus some other stuff. See @Horse Newbie 's thread that I hijacked. Early 48" decks had a BOLT ON discharge chute (which I don't use anyway) versus a 'flip up' one on later models. Early decks used different spindle shafts, and as a result of that, different bearings and pulleys. Take a look at these threads for more info. Lots of info on "WATCH OUT FORS" if you're shopping for a deck. Edited January 31, 2022 by Jeff-C175 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red-Bovine 309 #8 Posted January 31, 2022 Here is a picture of our 1992 48" mower deck. It has the welded bar edge. Don't know about the steel plate. Don't think it has it. It has the flip up discharge chute.. Kinda stuffed in the back of the garage. Storing it for the day we might sell the 520H. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,036 #9 Posted January 31, 2022 You have the steel plate. You can see it in the center between the belt guards. The screws that secure the belt covers are threaded into the turned up lip of the plate. Models without the plate have the belt cover screws going down into the deck shell. There is no other place for them. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 38,044 #10 Posted January 31, 2022 4 hours ago, Lee1977 said: was just looking at 48" decks parts list I can find a 48" deck with out the plate So, you did find a 48" deck with out the plate? Or did you mean to say I can NOT find a 48" deck with out the plate? I am curious as I have never seen one with out the plate. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lee1977 6,648 #11 Posted January 31, 2022 (edited) 6 hours ago, Ed Kennell said: So, you did find a 48" deck with out the plate? Or did you mean to say I can NOT find a 48" deck with out the plate? I am curious as I have never seen one with out the plate. Couldn't find any 48" \with out a Plate. Even the 48".260 series decks have a plate. Edited February 1, 2022 by Lee1977 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Horse Newbie 7,057 #12 Posted February 1, 2022 On 1/30/2022 at 6:41 PM, Ed Kennell said: Got any pictures Tim? All my 48"ers have the heavy plate under the pulleys. Mine too… Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red-Bovine 309 #13 Posted February 1, 2022 I guess maybe I do have the plate. Bought new in 1992 and has been trouble free with annual greasing and cleaning. Probably didn't clean it when we removed it a few years ago when we made the 520H a permanent snow blower. Getting too old to crawl around on the floor swapping out the deck for the blower. LOL 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thor27 767 #14 Posted February 1, 2022 On 1/31/2022 at 9:43 AM, Tim Ziethen said: thanks for feedback - does anyone know why some 48 inch decks have the reinforcing bar welded on the bottom edge? When and why did that start and is there anything else different between the decks without the reinforcing bar at the lower edge and the ones with it? thanks My 1987 48" deck does not, my 91 48" does. It makes the deck a lot tougher imho. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
