Mower deck repairs
Last time I mowed with the 1872, #1 I noticed that the deck was getting noisy so yesterday I took it off and checked it out. I found that it had some bad spindle bearings and also bearings were getting noisy in the idlers. Blades were shot also. Ended up spending more time than I planned but the deck is now good as new. I am using a 811 60 inch deck from a newer 7000 series that I adapted to use on my 1872. It is a great cutting deck but because it is a high lift style it is hard on blades because of the sandy soil have. The sand will cut the lift wing off of the blades. A new blade set is over $100.00 so I did some research and found the blades from a newer Cub Cadet zero turn 60 inch deck will fit if they are shortened 3/16 on each side. They are about 1/2 the price of the correct blades so it was worth the time it took to adapt them. I may also see if I can adapt the mule drive and lift arms from a 60 in Haban deck while I have it down. To adapt this deck I modified the lift arms from a 46# GT deck and also added the hangers and mounting points from the GT deck. The deck cuts very well but the hanger is light and is easy to bend or twist. I think the Haban hanger will work better and I can also use the rear centering guide to keep the deck better centered under the tractor. Will see how it all works out. I should probably try to find a 60 in Haban deck, but all I have found are in very bad shape or the sellers want a small fortune for them. When I bought this one from Small Engine Warehouse about 15 years ago it was like new and I only gave $325.00 for it and it still looks and cuts great. Biggest issue is since it is a high lift style like a GT type deck it is prone to plugging if the grass is damp. I really do not know if a Haban would be any better.
Later
Tom
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