1985 Wheel Horse 312-8 Mule Drive pulley

[Vintage_Wheel_Horse_Lover 21]

hello all I have a 312-8 and I was mowing a ladies yard from our church  with it and the mule drive started locking up and screaming. turns out it was the inner pulley[furthest away from the nit that holds them and the cover on.the bearing was red hot and starting to seize. it freed up after cooling. but now my issue is is that I cant find a pulley that fits the shaft I can find the right pulley size. but the bearings inside diameter is off. where can I get this. because I checked tractor supply, napa, and the lawnmower place near me and no one can get it.

Edited April 23, 2024 by Vintage_Wheel_Horse_Lover

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,450]

Is it a flat pulley or a V-pulley?

Some decks use one of each and others use two the same with a 6-sided belt.

 

[Vintage_Wheel_Horse_Lover 21]

one is wider and one is narower i beleive it is flat 

[Achto 29,374]

1 hour ago, Vintage_Wheel_Horse_Lover said:

but now my issue is is that I cant find a pulley that fits the shaft I can find the right pulley size

 

Can you change the bearing in your existing pulley? 

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,450]

That idler assembly is part of the mower deck so here is an illustrated parts list of the flat and V-belt idler.

https://www.partstree.com/models/05-42ms05-toro-42-side-discharge-mower-deck-1986/rear-discharge-mower-42-in-107-cm-vehicle-identification-number-05-42mr04-5/

 

Have a local Toro dealer?

If I remember correctly one of the pulleys are available from alternate sources like Stens or Rotary.

 

Also notice the spacers are different lengths.

[Ed Kennell 41,800]

I may have one.   I'll check my buckets of pulleys and get back to you.

[Wayne0 1,167]

On 4/23/2024 at 11:04 AM, Vintage_Wheel_Horse_Lover said:

one is wider and one is narower i beleive it is flat 

Fleabay and the jungle have the pulley you need.

[Ed Kennell 41,800]

I do not have one

 

[Mushrush 18]

Same thing happened to me. Except my pulleys are fine. I'm missing the spacer. I'm about to go to Lowe's to find something that'll work. Any information on the size of washer would be greatly appreciated.

In the picture, is this correct or no?

[adsm08 3,148]

On 4/23/2024 at 1:22 PM, Ed Kennell said:

I may have one.   I'll check my buckets of pulleys and get back to you.

 

You got any 8-speed drive pulleys in that buck Mr. K?

[Lee1977 7,189]

The bearings can be replaced it's usually easy on the flat pulley they are just spot welded together. First drill a small location hole between two spot welds. Then drill out the spot welds I bolt mine back together.

The bearing is 6203 3/4" ID. The v-pulley is also spot welded but it is also welded down in the v-groove. They can be a real pain to get apart, it can be done but it isn't easy. The flat pulley wares on one side so reverse it when reinstalling. I've done a couple of sets.

 

[pfrederi 18,638]

There are two spacers one between the pullies (3/4" long) and one between outer pulley and the shield.  1/2"" long

[peter lena 9,233]

@Lee1977  love a WIDE BEARING SEAL , what could you possibly do ?  those 6203 bearings can be very quiet and durable , all my deck and mule drives are set up the same way , the initial very easy pto engagement , is smooth / quiet  , was just out , doing some trimming  pete  

[tunahead72 2,543]

On 4/27/2025 at 11:22 AM, Lee1977 said:

... The flat pulley wares on one side so reverse it when reinstalling ...

 

I always wondered about that.  Every flat mule drive pulley I've ever owned has worn down shiny on one side, and I never really knew why.  I was working on my C-105 the other day, and it finally occurred to me that I could simply reverse it like you say.  Problem is, I didn't really notice which side was shiny, so I took my best guess -- which side typically wears more quickly?

 

[Ed Kennell 41,800]

On 4/26/2025 at 5:30 PM, adsm08 said:

 

You got any 8-speed drive pulleys in that buck Mr. K?

Sorry, I don't see any.

[Brockport Bill 1,932]

On 4/23/2024 at 10:07 AM, Vintage_Wheel_Horse_Lover said:

hello all I have a 312-8 and I was mowing a ladies yard from our church  with it and the mule drive started locking up and screaming. turns out it was the inner pulley[furthest away from the nit that holds them and the cover on.the bearing was red hot and starting to seize. it freed up after cooling. but now my issue is is that I cant find a pulley that fits the shaft I can find the right pulley size. but the bearings inside diameter is off. where can I get this. because I checked tractor supply, napa, and the lawnmower place near me and no one can get it.

 

i believe what's relevant is what deck you use ? if its a 37 inch sd then needs 2 V pulleys -- if it's other deck models then its got a flat pulley and a V on the mule  - - Partstree.com shows they have the pulleys and spacer for the 37" -- i didnt check all the deck models but i assume both partstree.com as well as Toro online they can also be ordered

[Lee1977 7,189]

8 hours ago, tunahead72 said:

 

I always wondered about that.  Every flat mule drive pulley I've ever owned has worn down shiny on one side, and I never really knew why.  I was working on my C-105 the other day, and it finally occurred to me that I could simply reverse it like you say.  Problem is, I didn't really notice which side was shiny, so I took my best guess -- which side typically wears more quickly?

 

The inside on 42" and 48" side discharge. The inside is a little shorter distance. Should be the same on any with the flat idler.