is this OK? (stains on bottom of mower deck)

[Ponyboy 64]

Hello! I just acquired my first WH with a mower deck and am about to embark on my first project with it. I still need to do a thorough inspection of it (just figured out how to remove it yesterday from my 875), but the project is cleaning it up (clean up/sharpen blades, remove rust and paint/protect underside, new belts) and getting it ready for mowing in a few weeks. I'm new to mower decks - are the stains indicative of an issue I should remedy before treating the bottom? Is that oil from the gears/bearings? I didn't see any rust-through spots and the blades still look like they have a lot of meat on them, the blades turned OK. Thanks!

 

[squonk 41,040]

Grease is from the gears and bearings from the spindles. If the deck works well and is quiet, LEAVE IT ALONE!! 

 

 These decks are a science all to their own, Little seals, thrust washers woodruff keys, snap rings & bearings. Plus the blades must be timed 90 degrees apart so they don't hit each other. Remove the gear covers and clean out any dirt and old grease and re-grease with a non slinging grease like Lucas Green grease. Buy a box of rags! 

[roadapples 6,983]

That deck should be wire brushed good and painted/coated....

[squonk 41,040]

Are those belts on the deck cracked? A fun adventure to replace them but easier than on the older decks. You'll be glad you bought that box of rags! 

 

Belt # Napa 3L370W 

 

[stevasaurus 22,712]

You want to pull off those covers on top of the deck.  3 like 1/4" (maybe) screws on each.  The grease zerk is in there under a bunch of grease.  Clean all of that out.  When you go to grease, only inject grease until it starts to come out the bottom of the deck.  Wipe clean, replace the covers, if you do not have the plugs for the grease holes, replace them.  They can be found at ACE near the electrical supplies.  Wire brush the blades and the underneath of the deck.  Check the balance of the blades, by hanging them on a nail.  They should hang horizontal...if not...take some off the heavy side.  

[Ed Kennell 38,047]

All good advise above....I'll just add.   Grease the jack shaft.     From what I can see, that looks like a sweet 875.   

 

                                                                     

[ri702bill 8,295]

3 hours ago, squonk said:

Plus the blades must be timed 90 degrees apart so they don't hit each other.

Yup - a "territorial dispute" will ensue if not properly timed....the blades do overlap the center by about a quarter of an inch ...

[Ponyboy 64]

Thanks, everyone, for the advice! I haven't had a chance to run the 875 with the deck engaged just yet (need to get a roll pin for the food pedal so I can properly disengage the deck), so I can't account for how quiet the deck runs. Thanks @squonk for the Napa belt #, that was going to be on my list (I need to replace all the belts on the tractor and deck, though the 2 pictured with the deck are in the worst shape of any of them).

 

@Ed Kennell, I think she looks pretty sweet though the PO got a little spray paint happy (here's a post announcing her with a few pics). My other WH is a WorkHorse 700 that's more of a Frankenstein tractor (missing the parking brake, seat lever, hood latch) and has had a number of mods (beverage holder, centrifugal clutch, "parking brake") - it's nice with this 875 to have a complete tractor.

 

 

[peter lena 8,588]

@Ponyboy  noting that deck and related condition , been doing this for years , only a suggestion , all my decks look that  way , pretty , simple  do you like rust ?  I  also go after any other obvious , movement area . just recently installed my decks , oil soaked and ready to go .  keep it oily . pete