any toro groundsmaster fans on here?

[jrsavoie]

The zerk goes to the spindle bearings for the center blade.
The two outside spindles have zerks on top of the spindle in the middle of the drive pulley. Obviously the gearbox sits on top of the center spindle, so they use this arrangement.

View attachment 575200

Got a few coats of por15 epoxy paint brushed on tonight. Was hoping to get the rustoleum on tomorrow, but I think this has to cure longer than that. Will see tomorrow.

I may have been missing a grease zerk all these years. I'll bet it needs grease now!

 

[Asymair95]

Got a nice coat of primer on last night, and today was the first coat of safety red. Pretty close match, but not perfect.

 

[Xfaxman]

:thumbsup:

 

[Asymair95]

Finally getting goin on the deck again.



Another coat of red on the bottom. Tonight will be the last coat of red on the top half and the shell will be ready for assembly.



Had to replace three bushings. They were so worn out the bushing lip was completely gone.



Sharpening up the Oregon blades that came with the parts deck. They look almost new.

 

[Turbys_1700]

Great job on the deck...
I finally got around to putting 3 regular lift blades on my 72" deck yesterday...
Big difference in how well the unit pulled those blades versus the gator blades...
My yard/lawn is a tough 2-1/2 plus acres....
Lots of sleep and rough areas...
It took me 2 hours and 50 minutes with those Gators on the deck...
Now I'm right at 2 hours and 10-15 minutes..
Didn't realize how hard those gators pulled down the unit...

 

[Asymair95]

Would these Oregon blades be considered regular lift?

Also, does anyone have a resource for mower deck gauge wheel bearing rebuild kits? Looks like all of my castor wheels will need new bearings/bushings. I’m sure the local toro guy could get everything, I just didn’t know if there was a rebuild kit available somewhere.

 

[Asymair95]

Moving along...



Broke all the caster wheels down to inspect bearings and such. Pretty much a horror show of seized bearings, worn bushings, delaminating rubber, and bent rims. Will try my best to piece them together to make four good ones...it’ll be tough to do.



Greased the belt idler pulleys with my needle greaser. Works well getting fresh grease under the rubber lip of the non serviceable bearings extending their life greatly.

Almost time to order a few parts...

 

[Xfaxman]

Check on eBay. I have got some good deals there.

 

[Asymair95]

Making good progress on the deck.



Got all three spindles installed with new hardware. They had lots of fishing line wrapped around the base of the spindle shaft. Some of it was melted in place.



Had to fish through my scrounge bin for a new bolt and spacer for the double belt idler bracket. Both parts decks I had were no use here, they were both rusted fast.



Double idler bracket installed.



Found another difference between the new style and old style decks. On the newer style decks the double belt idler bracket is bolted on from beneath the deck with a nut on top. On the old style decks there is a nutplate welded into the deck and the bolt is screwed in from the top of the bracket. I can see why they changed it, as rust probably caused lots of these bolts to break off in the deck.



My parts pile is slowly getting smaller

 

[Asymair95]

Got a lot done last night.



Anti scalp rollers installed.



Blades installed and gorilla torqued.



Single idler installed.



Changing gear lube.



Gearbox and belts installed...that was a fun job.



Wheels cleaned up and greased up.



I’m waiting on the paint to dry for the caster arms. Once that is good, finally assembly will be completed.