davem1111 2,030 #1 Posted August 1, 2022 I'm guessing that the answer to this question is "no", but I'm going to ask anyway. I currently have 5 decks in my possession. Two 42" and 2 48", all SD's, plus the smaller one from the B-100 which is not part of this discussion (yet, at least). One 42" is in great shape and is on the 416-8 I plan to sell as soon as I do a refresh (repaint + new decals) on the hood. The other 42 needs some serious welding and at least one pulley and maybe spindle. The 48" deck I have on my GT-1848 right now works well, but it has 2 5/8" spindles and one 3/4" slotted spindle (Part number 108848, I believe). I didn't have any more good 5/8" spindles on hand when I put this one back together. I'd like them to all be the same, but that isn't critical. (I have a good 5/8" spindle housing but need a new spindle shaft and maybe pulley). The other 48" deck I have is the one that originally had the 3/4" slotted spindles. It is bare and waiting for some welding and... spindles. I have 3 good 3/4" pulleys, both the sides and the center double pulley. Of the 3/4" spindles, I have 1 complete good one (the one that is on the deck in use), one spindle housing with a missing lower grease seal (and questionable bearings), and one housing with one bolt ear broken off. No other good 3/4" spindle shafts. I can probably get 2 more good used spindle shafts from Lincoln at A-Z, but I also need bearings and one housing. If I go this route I should do the bearings on all 3, I suppose. I was thinking that maybe I should bite the bullet and just buy 3 new complete spindles, but so far I have only found the 5/8" ones, and at ~$150 each, that's going to hurt the budget. Plus, the extra pulleys I have are the 3/4" ones so I'd need to buy another whole set of pulleys for probably $100-150 (or more?). I need to ask Lincoln if he has any complete 3/4" assemblies but he doesn't answer very quickly - last time the response took over a month... So, the main question is, has anyone had any success with replacing spindles on a WH deck with less expensive spindles intended for another brand? It seems that the main considerations are: 1) bolt pattern and size of center that inserts through the deck, 2) height of blade (i.e., distance from deck to blade), 3) height of pulley on top of deck, and 4) availability of correct diameter pulleys including the center double drive pulley. Any thoughts on this? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snoopy11 5,714 #2 Posted August 1, 2022 Dave... shoot me over a picture of your spindles... let the anthropomorphic beagle do some digging... I might have an idea... Don 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davem1111 2,030 #3 Posted August 1, 2022 15 minutes ago, Snoopy11 said: Dave... shoot me over a picture of your spindles... let the anthropomorphic beagle do some digging... I might have an idea... Don The spindle and shaft at the top of the picture are the 5/8" one. Spindle shaft is worn badly where the blade sits, and needs to be replaced. I would need to get a 5/8" side pulley to use with that one also. The other 2 are the 3/4" ones. As mentioned, the "good" housing is missing its grease seal. I don't know yet how hard those are to replace but what's left of it doesn't want to come out easily. The shaft with that one has a little wear on it but should be usable. The other housing is cracked, and I also cannot get the darn blade off. I've tried heating the bolt red hot, lots of PB Blaster, even cutting into the nut... afraid if I do much more it will damage the shaft beyond use anyway. Both 3/4" pulleys are in good shape. Missing one Woodruff key but it's around somewhere. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snoopy11 5,714 #4 Posted August 1, 2022 @davem1111... yeah, those look like what I was expecting. I asked... mainly because I have seen some Stens universal type spindles... Check them out... just an idea... https://www.ebay.com/itm/265801006316?hash=item3de2f97cec:g:81oAAOSwJs5i4pg4:sc:ShippingMethodExpress!47265!US!-1 Don 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snoopy11 5,714 #5 Posted August 1, 2022 Those types of spindles have various bolt holes to fit a range of decks... I personally used them with very good luck... (they fit the old SCAG, the JD zero turn, and the LX176)... Don 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,589 #6 Posted August 1, 2022 @davem1111 questionable bearings on a mower deck ? for the effort involved ,make those bearings bombproof and silent , that goes for the mule bearings as well , sure @Snoopy11 can help you out with his stash , would not use anything else , lucas xtra h/d chassis grease in those related bearings , imagine no whining noise , from the deck . 560 deg temp rated , just an idea, pete 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snoopy11 5,714 #7 Posted August 1, 2022 Just now, peter lena said: sure @Snoopy11 can help you out with his stash HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA Well played sir, well played. Stash... yep... you got that right... I've got bearings, bushings, lucas grease, almost everything you can think of... and some things people haven't thought of... Don 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davem1111 2,030 #8 Posted August 1, 2022 13 minutes ago, Snoopy11 said: Those types of spindles have various bolt holes to fit a range of decks... I personally used them with very good luck... (they fit the old SCAG, the JD zero turn, and the LX176)... Don I'll need to measure the bolt hole distance, but those might fit. Two challenges though: they list the blade hole diameter as 5/8", but both the 5/8" and 3/4" WH shafts have a 3/4" diameter at the bottom where the blades mount, so I'd have to switch to 5/8" blades. Also, I'd need to buy a whole set of 5/8" pulleys. The pulleys I have are for 3/4" shafts at the top, with a key slot. So... total investment with blades and pulleys might exceed what I might be able to do if I can find the 3/4" ones. Or maybe I should just sell all the usable parts I have, then buy all new. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,589 #9 Posted August 1, 2022 @Snoopy11 you know snoop , just thought the overall lead in conversation, that stash , was the word , can sense your build involvement and related goodies , just sitting here laughing at the result / opportunity , go funny farm , pete 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snoopy11 5,714 #10 Posted August 1, 2022 1 hour ago, peter lena said: can sense your build involvement and related goodies Oh yes sir. Really, even with the 416-8 that I restore, I still have a lot left to go... replacing the front wheel bearings, packing them with grease... running more ground cables to various points on the tractor... and many more things... I never really stop trying to improve my machines... Don 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,589 #11 Posted August 1, 2022 @Snoopy11 I NEVER STOP TRYING TO IMPROVE MY MACHINES , WHAT HE SAID ! i,m with you on that ! was thinking , how scary it would be if we were closer , look like a Mohave test explosion , keep cranking , pete 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ranger 1,748 #12 Posted August 1, 2022 5 hours ago, peter lena said: @davem1111 questionable bearings on a mower deck ? for the effort involved ,make those bearings bombproof and silent , that goes for the mule bearings as well , sure @Snoopy11 can help you out with his stash , would not use anything else , lucas xtra h/d chassis grease in those related bearings , imagine no whining noise , from the deck . 560 deg temp rated , just an idea, pete My 312-8 sd deck needs at least one new set of bearings, play in the r/h side one. Always noisy, even after greasing. Pumped the green Lucas grease in, I couldn’t believe how much quieter it was when mowing, and just by changing the grease type? Thanks Pete👍 2 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,589 #13 Posted August 2, 2022 @davem1111 glad that helped ,emagine what those bearings would sound like , if they were all properly done ? thats what led me to the total fix, typically deck bearings and mule drive bearings are the same , all mine are lucas HD CHASSIS lubed , also do the pto drive cone needle bearing , that combination , is quiet magic , you must totally clean out , any original grease , in bearing , before going lucas . that prevents , grease / contamination . this definitely works , why not do this in a build up ? greasy, pete 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,589 #14 Posted August 2, 2022 @ranger glad that helped ,emagine what those bearings would sound like , if they were all properly done ? thats what led me to the total fix, typically deck bearings and mule drive bearings are the same , all mine are lucas HD CHASSIS lubed , also do the pto drive cone needle bearing , that combination , is quiet magic , you must totally clean out , any original grease , in bearing , before going lucas . that prevents , grease / contamination . this definitely works , why not do this in a build up ? greasy, pete 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,589 #15 Posted August 2, 2022 @Snoopy11 , sharing a common thought on a fix and opportunity , thats what we share , going after a repair , often there is another issue close by that can also be taken care of , while you are at it , why not make the problem go away ? this is a grey zone for many , typically , you can't do that, why not improve a chronic failure ? you probably would not even notice a change , but it sure does work better . that electrical issue area , calls for a much better connection set up , and a reroute on wire strain , to stop chafing / shorting . wire / cable wrap covers that . added grounding is mandatory , and its easy . just talking , you know what i'm talking about . going rogue, pete 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davem1111 2,030 #16 Posted August 2, 2022 (edited) To get slightly back on topic here .... @Snoopy11 had suggested earlier that I look at some JD deck spindles as a possible replacement. It would seem to me at the prices for the OEM WH spindles & shafts, that someone would have evaluated some others, but maybe not. Anyway, I see several things here that might not work, but might... on the WH spindles, the distance from the deck to where the blade rides is about 3-3/4" to 3-7/8". It's hard to tell on the JD ones but they may be pretty close. More of a concern are these things. First, these spindle housings have a tapered top then a raised ring, while the WH ones just have a flat top with a raised ring that goes through the hole in the deck. This might require some shimming, grinding or a combination of both. The bolt hole spacing does not appear to be the same. I'm not opposed to drilling new holes in a deck to mount a spindle that otherwise is workable, but that leads to the next problem. The blades and pulleys would <obviously> need to be replaced also. Blades, not really a problem as long as the length is the same or are a little longer and can be ground down to proper length. Pulleys are another matter. These decks seem to have more idlers and don't appear to use a stacked double pulley for the drive. I suppose buying some properly sized "extra" pulleys and welding them together may be an option. This kit for example, comes with 3 spindles, 3 blades, a belt, and 4 pulleys, which all appear to be flat idlers, which makes no sense. Most of these seem to have a star pattern on the blade center hole, which I think is a good idea. Some of them have a star pattern for the pulley center hole, which is fine if I can get the right diameter V pulleys to go on them, plus a 5/8" V drive pulley to weld on top of the center one. I have concerns about the height of the pulleys, which might make the original guards too low, but new ones could be made. Clearance from the deck attachment mechanisms might be an issue though. From this diagram, at least on this deck, all the spindles are driven by V pulleys, which makes a lot more sense than flat. Maybe those are sold separately. This one has 2 flat idlers that I can see. The bottom line is, if I can adapt some other Mfg. stuff to the WH deck, I can probably have all new except the shell, wheels and rollers for maybe $300-400 less than going with WH parts. Maybe this is a pipe dream? Maybe it would be easier to just get a JD deck and adapt it to mount on a WH? (that idea ought to rile a few people up... ) Come on, gang! You only use 10% of your brain! Try applying at least another 10% to this and we'll have answers! Maybe we can develop a modified refresh package for WH decks that we can sell! Edited August 2, 2022 by davem1111 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snoopy11 5,714 #17 Posted August 2, 2022 24 minutes ago, davem1111 said: don't appear to use a stacked double pulley for the drive N0... the newer JD units don't use a double stacked pulley... 1 big 0zz belt runs from the PT0 to the deck pulleys... However, if you stay looking at older models, such as the LX176... you'd be closer to the WH design. The LX176 uses a double stacked pulley design. I think it only uses 2 blades though... Don 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,589 #18 Posted August 2, 2022 @davem1111 personally , I would stick with the 3/4" w/h spindles , how much of a search have you done , on various w/h sites ? just think for a bearing / regrease / swap , would be the easiest swap , always staying with original design set up / blade to shaft match etc. even getting a used , but not corroded set , would be no big deal to rebuild / refit , that you know will fit. you could buy a used deck , thats spindle solid ,no rot or damage , for parts . might just jump on ebay , for a look , pete 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davem1111 2,030 #19 Posted August 2, 2022 4 minutes ago, peter lena said: @davem1111 personally , I would stick with the 3/4" w/h spindles , how much of a search have you done , on various w/h sites ? just think for a bearing / regrease / swap , would be the easiest swap , always staying with original design set up / blade to shaft match etc. even getting a used , but not corroded set , would be no big deal to rebuild / refit , that you know will fit. you could buy a used deck , thats spindle solid ,no rot or damage , for parts . might just jump on ebay , for a look , pete Pete, I've spend many hours searching at this point. I have gotten some parts quotes from Lincoln at A to Z Tractors and have recently sent him a revised "wish list", but like I said, last time it was more than a month before he replied. And that was just to tell me he had been too busy and would get back on it soon. I've found new 5/8" spindle assemblies for $150+ each, but I'd also need to buy new pulleys since I only have good 3/4" pulleys. The cost to fully convert to 5/8" would be at least $550 I'm guessing. If someone has 3/4" parts out there, my guess would be at least $250-$300. I have seen a few used decks out there but they're mostly "local pickup only" and not within a distance I'm prepared to drive to get one. Plus they are $400+ and are not in what I would call "great shape". Maybe I'll keep looking for more unwanted whole tractors (wellllllll.... I'm *always* looking... ) that might have a decent deck or at least usable spindles. I also just remembered that I have a full set of brand new 5/8" bearings I got from Lincoln a few years ago but didn't use (yet). But even the empty 5/8" spindle housings are like $50+ and shafts are maybe $40 each. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davem1111 2,030 #20 Posted August 2, 2022 @peter lena now that you've mentioned it, and I started thinking about it, I see a 416 Hydro with a nice looking 48" deck that I could pick up for $450 (or maybe less) not far from me. Even if I have to replace the bearings in the spindles, I already have a set. To me that makes more sense than spending $400-$600 on parts to rebuild a deck that still needs some welding done on it. I'll just sell all these other parts and possibly end up with it costing me nothing, even before I sell the 416-8 I already have and that one, or one of the others. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snoopy11 5,714 #21 Posted August 2, 2022 2 minutes ago, davem1111 said: I see a 416 Hydro with a nice looking 48" deck that I could pick up Hmm... does this mean that the wife's car gets parked outside... Don 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davem1111 2,030 #22 Posted August 2, 2022 7 minutes ago, Snoopy11 said: Hmm... does this mean that the wife's car gets parked outside... Don Nope - I recently dragged my daughter's boyfriend's project car (an old beat-up Porsche 924) out of the barn, so I have room for LOTS of tractors in there now! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snoopy11 5,714 #23 Posted August 2, 2022 2 minutes ago, davem1111 said: I have room for LOTS of tractors in there now! Uh oh... I hear a divorce on the horizon... Don Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davem1111 2,030 #24 Posted August 2, 2022 5 minutes ago, Snoopy11 said: Uh oh... I hear a divorce on the horizon... Don Hah! Nope, already got her approval to buy this one if I want! Woot! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snoopy11 5,714 #25 Posted August 2, 2022 Just now, davem1111 said: already got her approval to buy this one if I want! Woot! So... which one are you going to give me now... Don 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
