dpb wrote:
On 05/10/2015 12:26 AM, Terry Coombs wrote:
The mower deck I got with myvery used 1982 yr model JD 317 yard
tractor has an advanced case of cancer , to the point that I
wouldn't dare spin up the blades for fear that one spindle would
come loose and hurt me . Yesterday I bought another deck and it
doesn't have the same cancer problems ...

FWIW , it's a 46" mower deck with 3 blades , which I plan to
modify to be like the blades on brush hogs , with the blades pivot
mounted on discs so if I hit something it won't tear things upas
bad . I'm not mowing the green at the 15th hole , I'm keeping the
brush and weeds knocked down in a small orchard and other selected
areas around our clearing in the woods .

What a bummer! I have no real hints/suggestions on the repair, just a
note that I've a '60s vintage 312 that has neither issue; only a
little cosmetic rusting. If I recall w/o refreshing memory by going
and looking right now, it isn't all that flat; seems as though it has
both an embossed ridge or two and the blade mounts are lower than the
main deck??? It's also 3-blades but smaller width; don't recall just
now. It's only an 8 hp Tecumseh...

Straight across the back side , with a triangular overall shape . All
stamped , and it has all kinds of embossed areas . Blade mounts are indeed
below the main top surface . I suspect the replacement was used hard ,
probably commercial from the amount of wear on the holes . THe original came
out of Louisiana , but sat outside here in Mountain View , probably buried
in rotting leaves and vegetation , for at least 10 years . Once repairs are
complete , I'll have my friend who restores old cars for a living
sandblast it and then I'll shoot it with good primer and a decent enamel
paint .
Yes , 3 blades , but I've got 17 ponies under the hood . Now if I could
only get them all to the ground ...
--
Snag
Pretty much decided to go ahead and cut the front mount out , the pivots
and pins are pretty worn and I'd want to weld the holes up a little and
redrill . I'll need to get some cutting discs for the angle grinder .