48" Mower Deck problem

[stang]

Hey Guys,

I know this is my first post, but I am looking for some help/advice. I have an LA 145 mower with a 48" deck with 49 hrs on it. Was just out doing the lawn when I heard a nasty growl coming from the deck. Stopped the mower right away and found the small idler pulley was completely fried. Not only that, but it must have been going for some time, cause it had been spinning on the spindle shaft and completely destroyed it. Any advice on what I can do to repair it ? Is it possible to buy a new shaft from a JD dealer ? Or will I have to have one machined, and weld a new one in place ?



I am able to do the repairs myself, but need options as to my best way to do the repair. Any and all advice is much appreciated.

Stang

 

[rayikeo2]

Do you have any factory warranty? It might be covered with only 49 hours.

 

[stang]

I bought this tractor May 9, 2009. So technically the warranty expired 2 weeks ago. But I would guess they would still honour it. I only have 49.7 hrs on it. Problem is, getting anything repaired thru warranty is a real pain in the @SS. I bought it at a local Home Depot, but the dealer who does the service is an hour an a half away. On top of that, the long wait to have it repaired. It's just easier to do it myself. So far I have replaced 2 pulleys, and the starter solenoid., and now this. Lesson learned. I will now question a product's warranty repair service before buying anything major.

 

[SandburRanch]

If I were in your situation with warranty and dealer distance I would try a couple of things first.

That looks as if it's an inner bearing race meltdown and may not be fused to the shaft all that well. So I would first try a heavy backup like maybe an 8# sledge hammer or equivalent pressed firmly against the glob in several locations while popping it with a hammer on the opposite side. This would be in anticipation of distorting it enough to slip off.

If that failed I'd be using one of several cutting methods. 1) A cold chisel with the same backer in case it got hot enough to anneal the race. 2) A Dremel tool and cut off wheel or 3) Take it to a competent welder and have it torched off.

It is often thought if the shaft is nicked it is ruined. In this application, not so. As a matter of fact that shaft could have a triangle profile with a radius on the corners equal to the inner bearing race and work just as well.

At the bottom of the shaft there will probably be a Boss for the inner race to reside on. That isn't very critical either as long as there is most of it remaining when the shout'in is done. To see what that shaft may look like, remove the pulley from the idler shaft to the immediate left in pic 2 if you don't recall from previous work.

 

[mullins87]

Have you looked on the bottom side of that mount to see if the stud can be unbolted?

 

[rayikeo2]

It does look like the bolt extending through the bracket is replaceable. First take a really good pair of vice grips or a large pair pliers and twist the left-over bearing part off the bolt. After that take a good look at the bolt to see if it is salvageable. Then order needed parts on-line from John Deere Parts. The bolt probably got hot enough that it lost it's temper, and it needs replaced if you can get it off. You may be able to get parts at a local Tractor Supply if you can take the old one in to match it up.
Great job taking the picture.

 

[stang]

What you see in the picture is the damage done to the shaft the pulley sits on. There is no inner race in the pic. The inner race is still in one piece, and came out with the pulley, but the bearing was piled up very badly. The damage seen is what was done to the area the inner race sits on. This entire shaft needs to be replaced. It looks to me as if the shaft is press fit into the bracket. I see no weld's any where.

I was hoping to see that this shaft is available from JD, but I have yet to find it in any parts diagram. I am going to use a zipcut and cut the shaft off as close to the bracket as possible, and punch out the remaining pieces. I'm guessing I will have to machine a new shaft and weld it into place.

 

[rayikeo2]

I will look at the john Deer Parts catalog for you to see how this goes togather and comes apart. What is the Deck ID number? Ray

 

[rayikeo2]

Stang, This part looks like it not replaceable without a whole new deck (very expensive) or repair as you see fit. Check this parts diagram.

John Deere - Parts Catalog

That is a lot more work than I anticipated. Good Luck. Maybe some one else has had this problem and can help you more. :confused2:

 

[stang]

Hi Ray,
Mower Deck ID # - GXA145A208464



This is what the bracket looks like with the stud removed. It appears it was inserted into the hexagonal hole, then the back side was peened over to hold it in place, before the bracket was installed. Looks as tho the new stud will need to be welded into place.

See what parts you can find for me. I really appreciate your help.

Thanks,
Stang

EDIT ** Thanks Ray, thats what I kinda figured.