Is my deck usable?
 

So I got some time this weekend to tear into my 127. From outward appearance the deck looked to be in fairly good shape. After removing the deck the issues showed themselves. I think my deck is missing some parts on the underside and I am not sure how much this is going to effect mowing. All the rings around the blades are missing.

The plan with the tractor is to let my 13 year old use it to mow lawns this summer. He has 5 yards he is doing and I want to make sure this will work so he does a quality job. His goal is to have 15 yards by the time he is 16, but if he is doing a crappy job because of the mower word of mouth will not be to good. (But that is a different story)

I've never seen one in action but I've always been suspicious of the cut quality on those decks. Seems like the speed at the tip of the blade would be very low for those two short blades since they are so short, resulting in a less than stelar cut quality. Of course it might be fine for chopping weeds on a pasture, but on a residential lawn I don't know - hopefully someone can chime in that has hands on experience with this deck on residential lawns.

They refer to those rings as "shroud assemblys" and they can be purchased new but are pricey.

I have used decks that had them gone like yours and maybe I wasn't all that particular about quality of cut but I thought it cut just fine. Then when refurbing the decks I ended up making my own "shroud assembly" and to tell the truth, I didn't really notice any difference.

Just thinking about it, the shrouds would probably help with discharge when cutting thick heavy grass by more directed force out the chute but I couldn't say for sure.

ive cut with a few that had those missing, as long as the blades are shape they seem to cut just fine.

Bigger center pulley drives the two smaller outer pulleys. Shorter blades moving at higher RPM.

I have the shrouds in mine but it's mostly smashed to hell.

I keep mine sharp and it cuts just fine.

My 149 has a deck like that. (is that a 42"?)
It mows nice. It was missing this when i got it.
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...10_9_small.jpg
But since i have welders and ways to form the material i made my own.
Not bolted in like the factory, I welded them right to the deck.
But like the others have said, I didn't see much difference in the way it mowed.
I have heard some say those baffles help lift the grass to get a better cut.
Just make sure to level the deck like the manual says and it should cut fine.

I have a different model deck with missing baffles. Like the other guys said, sharp blades and it cuts well. The only thing I notice is in tall/thick grass it doesn't all make it out the chute, some comes out the back. No big deal for me as I sweep my lawn afterwards. I don't think anyone will be sour about the cut, stand back 10 ft and you can't tell it left any clippings behind.

Bill

I think it is a 42" deck. The measurement is 42" from tip to tip of the outer edge of the small blades.

I think those decks do a better job than the newer style. Check out some of drglinski's pics. His yard looks awesome!

Here:
http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=34433

Pretty sure those baffles were to form an upward vacuum to get the grass blades to stand up and meet their demise.
I have three or four of those decks now and am also pretty sure they were welded on.
Should be an eezpeezee job for any welding shop to re-create.