LA125

[dieselscout80]

A friend has a LA125 with a 42" deck (manual blade engagement) the right side spindle mount was loose and it egged out and cracked the deck spindle mounting holes.

What are their options to fix it?

I think welding it will warp the deck.

 

[SandburRanch]

A friend has a LA125 with a 42" deck (manual blade engagement) the right side spindle mount was loose and it egged out and cracked the deck spindle mounting holes.

What are their options to fix it?

I think welding it will warp the deck.

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I doubt welding will cause any problems being the metal is thin and any minor distortion will probably be taken care of when the bearing housing is installed. If you are still concerned and there is not a crack near each of the 4 holes go ahead and run a bead near the non cracked areas in the same location as the cracked areas. This will give 4 locations being treated equal with heat.

Before welding one could check the height from each hole to a flat surface below and after welding and grinding the beads flat check the height again and compare.

 

[jinman]

I also suggest replacing that spindle. My JD dealer told me that spindles and idler pulleys are the highest failure items on these low-end mowers. I've replaced all my idlers and one spindle on my 48" deck. The complete new spindle with shaft included is less than $60 and will come with unthreaded smooth bolt holes because the bolts are self-tapping fender bolts. By installing the bolts into fresh holes, the spindle can be tightened down so the bolts don't loosen and allowed the spindle to move around. You might even get four new bolts to ensure they seat properly and tap out the hole cleanly as they are installed.

 

[BATTY54]

If you buy a new spindle get the new bolts, there is about a 90% chance of snapping them off while trying to remove them. The new bolts will also have sharp threads which will help cut/thread their way into the new metal.