finishing mower gearbox replacement

[geosigal]

has anyone replaced a woods finishing mower gearbox with a brand other than the expensive woods replacement?

 

[geosigal]

specifically it's a woods rd8400 model finishing mower for which i need a new gearbox....

 

[JTKub]

Watch Wes Work over on YouTube posted a video the other day on rebuilding an old woods mower gearbox. Parts were either crazy expensive or no longer available for it. He did some DIY magic as is his custom.

 

[sandman2234]

Changing out a finish mower gearbox isn't a big deal, "IF" you have plenty of metal fabrication tools and experience to use them.
Most gearboxes simply sit on a platform, so the height of the platform, the gearbox bolt pattern will matter. You will have output shaft dimensions issues, which leads me to want to buy a used gearbox with the pulley included. However, getting the pulley off can be an issue. (I have a couple Rhino finish mowers that I have NEVER been able to remove a pulley. The last time, I just installed a new Taper-Loc pulley.
I would look for a way to figure out what mowers those gearboxes were used on, and see if I could locate a used mower that the deck had rusted out on. Most finish mowers get parked for reasons other than a bad gearbox.
David from jax