Couple questions on my 54" GT deck

[amanfrromthere]

I got a new (to me) 54" GT deck for my 1864 a bit ago. When I took the blades off to sharpen, I pulled off the spindle hub and noticed each had something of a stringy mess inside them. I assumed there should be a seal in there somewhere, and looking at the parts diagram, that seems to be the correct assumption (#11 https://i.imgur.com/Bxa8ZKE.png), correct?

Related- is there anything else in that stack that I should replace or seriously inspect while I'm in there? I'm not planning on pulling the whole spindle assembly off, just whatever I can access from the underside. It'll get a full disassembly this winter, it does need a full cleanup and a little welding. I just don't want to run it without those seals for the rest of the mowing season.


Unrelated- I've seen some discussion around this but couldn't find a solid answer- How much play should there be between the lift hangers and bracket? That is, how tight should that lift bracket bolt be?

Thanks

[Mike McKown]

The deck takes a seal on the bottom of the spindle. It goes in upside down from normal to allow grease pressure to push out the bottom.

I don't understand your "unrelated" question.

[amanfrromthere]

Originally Posted by Mike McKown

The deck takes a seal on the bottom of the spindle. It goes in upside down from normal to allow grease pressure to push out the bottom.

I don't understand your "unrelated" question.

Not my tractor, but this bit- https://i.imgur.com/91cO1Kz.png

[Sam Mac]

My guess on the "String" is probably grass that has gotten wound up. I'd bet if you pulled it out you'll find the seal behind it.

This is my 54" GT front mount.

[Mike McKown]

Originally Posted by amanfrromthere

Not my tractor, but this bit- https://i.imgur.com/91cO1Kz.png

Mine are adjusted about like Sam's. That's the front/rear leveling adjustment. How much gap you have there depends on where the rear hangers are adjusted.

Some like to run these decks down on the decks wheels and let them carry the deck weight. Others (like myself) like them off the ground a little, just pushing the grass over and hitting the ground only on the high spots.

Running the deck slightly off the ground will save a lot of wear and tear on the tractor, the deck, the carriage, the wheels and lastly, will help prevent dirt, sand metal erosion of the of the inside of the deck.

[Sam Mac]

What Mike said.

[amanfrromthere]

Originally Posted by Sam Mac

My guess on the "String" is probably grass that has gotten wound up. I'd bet if you pulled it out you'll find the seal behind it.

This is my 54" GT front mount.

It was pretty much an empty cavity when I pulled all the gunk out. Seals just got chewed up / disintegrated I guess.

[amanfrromthere]

Originally Posted by Mike McKown

Mine are adjusted about like Sam's. That's the front/rear leveling adjustment. How much gap you have there depends on where the rear hangers are adjusted.

Some like to run these decks down on the decks wheels and let them carry the deck weight. Others (like myself) like them off the ground a little, just pushing the grass over and hitting the ground only on the high spots.

Running the deck slightly off the ground will save a lot of wear and tear on the tractor, the deck, the carriage, the wheels and lastly, will help prevent dirt, sand metal erosion of the of the inside of the deck.

Thanks, I'll give that a shot. The deck wheels bear the weight right now, but that setup sounds a whole lot better.