Took me over 25 years to wear out my 286 deck and sides. Stump jumper looking ruff. Gearbox still good and still cuts pretty good. Thought about rebuilding but it wasn’t economical.
Looked at new bushogs and brown cutter. $$$expensive but they last.
Over the winter found a 20 year newer, little used, stored inside, used 286 cutter for $1200. Don’t think I could have rehabilitated my mower for that.
Repairing mower deck is tedious work and not trapping moisture in pockets important.
Got a spare for parts or sale. Even rough the name sells. Might modify the old one to make leaf blower or vacuum.