The 48" I have is really smooth. I had to replace the center spindle and pulley (NOS). It was loose for the PO for some reason and fouled the keyway. Blades line up perfectly. The chute was cut square at some point as some like to do and I'm indifferent about that but it does dispense the clippings well that way. There was some thinning near the chute and one spot on the left side rusted through that I built up with two layers of 8# woven cloth and epoxy so it's not unmolested but I would be critical to give it a B+ now that I've tested it. I put a new Huskee belt on it this weekend so it's ready to go.