Help with Mule Drive question ID ?

[rustyedge1 169]

I have three WH machines which all have this type mule drive but none are drilled and threaded for a bolt in the end.

Has anyone seen this type MD before or might it be homemade ? Picked it up at auction as is with guard but the shaft seems too short for the guard to fit up right ? 

Thanks in advance for any info.

[c-series don 8,720]

I have many mule drives and I have never seen one with a threaded hole in the shaft. Also, I could be wrong but it looks like the pulleys are far out on the shaft? 

[peter lena 8,634]

@rustyedge1  looks like a combination of things , quite possibly a homemade combo, never had a belt guard on it? how does this match up to another one ? they are basically very simple , spacer placement and pulley type make it work . that belt guard with a close, spacer / nut , is regular set up . I replace those original pulleys , with new type , wide rubber side shields , letting me change over to a hi temp grease , insuring no whining noise or failure . just my own experience, pete 

[Darb1964 1,043]

I think that is one someone allowed the pulleys to wear through the shaft. Them did what they had to so it could be used. I have one around, that I picked up with some other stuff that is about halfway cut through.

 

 

 

[peter lena 8,634]

@Darb1964  that makes sense , you would have to refit it for use , pete

[rustyedge1 169]

Thanks all for the input.

Haven't had the chance to compare with the others, using both 48" decks but will look at the B80 tomorrow as I was thinking about using parts off this one or leave it as is and use as spare. I think that the spacer is too large in width. Posting another photo with the spacer off. Shaft looks okay to me.

[rustyedge1 169]

Afternoon almost 

I've had a chance to remove the B80 mule drive and compare. 

I used a thinner spacer thinking that would help and it did but the pulleys were too close to each other to suit me anyway.

I measured each shaft the best I could and they are pretty much the same length but with different space from the frame ( see arrows )

Also the shafts are not located in the same position. I checked the other machines I have and the mule drives are like the B80.

The bearings are a bit noisy on the drive in question. Shaft may have been drilled and threaded to add a both and lock washer to secure ail nut ??

Always liked a mystery. Adding more pics..

 

 

 

[squonk 41,150]

Lowell has pullies to replace those for not much more than the bearings themselves. I would replace them anyway because of all the pitting.

 

https://wheelhorsepartsandmore.com/product-category/pulley-idlers/

[peter lena 8,634]

@rustyedge1 bearings are a bit noisy?  you can pick up a new pair of pulleys on the net or on this site , highly recommended  getting  the  pulleys with the bearings with WIDE RUBBER SIDE SHIELDS , there is your make it bombproof opportunity . pocket screwdriver , carefully remove side shields , wipe out existing " grease " flush with carb cleaner , repack same amount of lucas x tra heavy duty , hi temp 560 , polyurea , anti sling grease . tell me how smooth and quiet that is . done that on my entire deck bearing set up . that angular mule drive , really cooks those bearings , the lucas stays with it , just an idea , all my decks are whining  free , solid and quiet . lots of hours , pete 

[Lee1977 6,664]

That's not the first thing that came wrong from the factory.  We have see fan gears welded 15 degrees off center.  It's defiantly factory some owner may have changed it.