X300 - How to take right pulley off

skyline · Apr 9, 2012

Does anybody know if there are any tricks to remove the large nut on top of the right (discharge side )pulley. The nut doesn't seem rusted at all but I'm not sure if it would be reverse thread.

The deck completely cracked around the mounting bolts 3 of which broke off so the blade and pulley assembly are very loose and it's hard to hold it fixed. Just want to know if anybody has dealt with this before.

Thanks

beenthere · Apr 9, 2012

Impact driver is what I would recommend. Otherwise, very tough to hold the spindle.

skyline · Apr 10, 2012

beenthere said:
Impact driver is what I would recommend. Otherwise, very tough to hold the spindle.

Thanks, but lefty loosey???

AKfish · Apr 10, 2012

Any chance you could use a pry bar or large screwdrive to wedge the blade and the pully housing from the bottom of the deck?

No idea if the nut is reverse threaded, though...

PB blaster and the impact driver would be how I'd tackle it, too!

AKfish

SandburRanch · Apr 10, 2012

Normal right hand thread. If you don't own an impact wrench, impact the end of a box wrench with a 2x4 about 2 ft. long and with a Micky Mantle swing it'll come loose. I've never had this method fail.

Caution: tie the wrench off to prevent flying objects or wear a face shield and athletic cup.

skyline · Apr 10, 2012

Thanks guys, I'll let you know how it goes.

RaisedByWolves · Apr 10, 2012

AK fish almost had it right.

Use a block of wood between the blade end and the inside of the deck to prevent the blade from spinning.

beenthere · Apr 10, 2012

SandburRanch said:
Normal right hand thread. If you don't own an impact wrench, impact the end of a box wrench with a 2x4 about 2 ft. long and with a Micky Mantle swing it'll come loose. I've never had this method fail.

Caution: tie the wrench off to prevent flying objects or wear a face shield and athletic cup.

Before getting the impact wrench, I used your method. Good warnings for anyone new trying this.

This nut alone was what finally got me to get the impact wrench and I have used it for so many other things since then. A nice tool to have in the tool box.

skyline · Apr 11, 2012

Haven't found out whether the John Deere dealer will attempt to fix it yet or if they recommend I completely replace the deck.

Just out of curiosity, have any of you experienced this kind of deck failure. I have read about a service bulletin that required realignment of some of the belt pulleys and am wondering if that might be part of the cause, other than a cheap deck.

FWIW, I have been really disappointed with this mower in both design and construction.

beenthere · Apr 11, 2012

skyline
I don't think they were cheap decks, but I would conclude this deck has been through a lot more wear and tear than what normally a deck would encounter. There has been some serious stress but on the spindle to fail the steel like that. I had a younger brother that could do that to a deck, along with his friends. Stumps, rocks, curbs, whatever made no difference to him.

Has the deck been under your ownership or used when purchased?

I'd look to the dealer for some factory help to fix this problem. But it certainly isn't normal, IMO.

And maybe I am way off base here. The problem needs fixing tho, regardless what happened in its past life.