Deck spindles - anyone found more affordable replacments?

[davem1111 2,030]

So, I bought the 416-H for $400. Looks like the deck alone may be worth that much. Since I was preparing to spend around that to repair another deck, I basically got a free tractor. 😊

Posting info on it in another thread. 
I think I may be done with repairing decks for a while. 

[Handy Don 12,174]

On 8/2/2022 at 2:19 PM, davem1111 said:

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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.

Big difference I've noted on JD side-discharge decks is that their blades run closer to the underside of the deck (i.e. the shell is much lower profile). Makes for a noticeable difference in spindle housing shape.

Can't recall ever seeing a rear-discharge JD deck.

[davem1111 2,030]

36 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

Big difference I've noted on JD side-discharge decks is that their blades run closer to the underside of the deck (i.e. the shell is much lower profile). Makes for a noticeable difference in spindle housing shape.

Can't recall ever seeing a rear-discharge JD deck.

 

Mine are all SD's.  I could see that someone with the skills and gumption could modify a WH deck to use these less expensive parts, but I'm not sure if I have the skills, and I decided I don't have the gumption, at least not right now. Maybe in the winter, but more likely I'll just sell or scrap all this old stuff.  It actually seems like it might be easier to take another brand of deck with acceptable size, shape and drive pulley, and modify it to add the Attach-A-Matic bracket (and paint it red, of course).

[8ntruck 6,993]

you could be right.

 

Don't forget to paint it the correct color!

[Handy Don 12,174]

4 hours ago, davem1111 said:

might be easier to take another brand of deck with acceptable size, shape and drive pulley, and modify it to add the Attach-A-Matic bracket (and paint it red, of course).

Not long ago there was a thread by a member who converted a ZT deck to run under his WH.

The real keys to a deck, besides getting the power to it, are the suspension (keeping it level at all cutting heights while handling dips and bumps smoothly), proper airflow to lift/cut/discharge the grass, and anti-scalping. IMHO, it is way harder than swinging a blade in a shell.