Cast End Decks

[SpringSpecial53]

I have two questions. First: Is there a quick way to tell a 38" Cast End Deck from a 42" Cast End Deck? Did these decks ever have an ID tag on them or was there a number stamped anywhere? The only method that I have come up with is to measure across the outside of the belt guards. (31 and 1/2" for the 38" deck and about 34 and 3/4" for the 42).
Second: In a thread titled "cast end deck" dated 8/13/2014 J-Mech states that there are early and late pin-on cast end decks. What is the difference? The decks on my 100 and my 102, which are both 42" look identical to me. I would assume that these would be early and late, since they are from two different series.
Thanks in advance for your help.

[J-Mech]

The deck should have an ID tag.

I don't remember what the difference is between early and late. I think it was the location of the tabs on the center section. Lew would know.

[darkminion_17]

There are no tags on the cast end type. Measuring them is the best way.

[J-Mech]

What's the difference between them Lew? Or was it the sub-frame that was different?

[darkminion_17]

One is 38" and the udder one is 42".
different subframe.

[J-Mech]

No, I meant between the early and late. Or was there a difference? I know you can't take the cast pieces and switch them between the later QA and the old pin on, tried that, they are made different.

[darkminion_17]

There is none that i know of.

[cadzag72]

I don't know if the used the same pulley covers on the cast end decks as the others, but on my 38 deck and 42 deck they both have 2 holes for greasing the pulley. If the pulley lines up with the inner hole, it's a 38, with the outer, its a 42.

[SpringSpecial53]

You are exactly correct as far as the pulley covers are concerned for the 38" and 42" STEEL END decks. They have two holes for the grease zerks. The outer one is used for the 42" and the inner one is used for the 38". However on the cast end decks, there is only one grease zerk hole in the covers. Apparently they just moved the covers out further on the 42" deck, hence the two different measurements across the pulley covers, which I mentioned in my earlier post. I guess the only way to tell them apart is to measure them. I did check the parts book and it shows the same mule drive and deck hanger for all of the pin-on decks on narrow frame tractors.

[cadzag72]

That's what I was unsure of. I'm only experienced with the steel end decks.