48" Mower Spindle Shaft Size?

[mowerman1193 40]

Did they make some of these shafts smaller than others? I have 3 decks, a 42" rear Discharge and a 42 and 48 side discharge. I had a rusted deck years ago a 42 side discharge that I stripped before hauling the shell off to the scrap yard. All decks have 3/4" diameter shafts but the 48" has what i think might be 5/8" shafts and there is no keyway in them.. I know this deck had been pieced together before I got it but it always worked until now it doesn't. LOL.. Threads stripped out on the center shaft for the blade to be held on.. and over time I've noticed that the blade hole in the blade has rounded out larger.. I'm thinking someone has turned the shafts down and changed all the pulleys bearings etc.. I was going to change out the shaft from one of my parts decks but the shaft is too big and won't go into the bearings.. and even if i did get it to go in the pulley is too small too.. I always thought they're all the same but maybe I'm wrong or someone has done some piecing together.. 

 

Might just order new housings etc.. from Amazon as they have 8ten brand set of three for like $150.. but for the 48" deck it's way more.. like $300 but that's not bad so long as it comes with the pulleys too.. Though the photos show all single pulleys and I'd need the center one to be a stack pulley.. not sure what the best cheapest route to go is.. Don't use the tractor for mowing much but like to have that option when I don't feel like using the walk behind mower.. like super hot summer weather, LOL

[Keifer 23 4]

I have no experience with 42" decks but can confirm that the 48" decks that I have, have 5/8" shafts.  

[mowerman1193 40]

19 minutes ago, Keifer 23 said:

I have no experience with 42" decks but can confirm that the 48" decks that I have, have 5/8" shafts.  

 

Do you happen to know if they have keyed pulleys? Only thing I see for parts are 3/4 shafts.. which is why I'm sort of considering just replacing all the spindles etc so i know I'm getting them all the same..  All my 3/4 shafts have a keyway cut in the shaft for a woodruff keyed pulley. This seems to be 5/8 shaft and no keyed pulleys.. pulleys popped right off so they don't seem to be press fit or anything.. If I can find a good shaft and all my pulleys are right I'll just do that.. I've rebuilt a few decks over the years but never seen these 5/8 shafts without a keyway.. Maybe it's correct. 

[Keifer 23 4]

I don't know about the center pulley.   The outside pulleys are smooth.   No keyway.

[mowerman1193 40]

Upon some further research by looking up various years of the 48" decks on the parts viewers it looks like to me the newer desks do have 5/8" spindle shafts like my set-up.. No I.D. tag on my deck but I was using a rough idea of the model / year of my tractors ( early to mid 80's )

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,285]

Keep in mind it is not necessary to have a keyed pulley. Use no key with a regular lock washer and standard nut and the natural direction of rotation will keep it tight. Wheel Horse did this on later production.

[Lee1977 7,064]

17 hours ago, mowerman1193 said:

Upon some further research by looking up various years of the 48" decks on the parts viewers it looks like to me the newer desks do have 5/8" spindle shafts like my set-up.. No I.D. tag on my deck but I was using a rough idea of the model / year of my tractors ( early to mid 80's )

The new spindle shafts are 17 mm Metric used turned to 5/8" for the pulley.  The bearings are 40 OD x 17 ID x 12 mm  both the 3/4" keyed and the Metric spindles are 3/4" at the blade.

[mowerman1193 40]

Thanks for all the comments.. I ended up calling my local dealer and they had what I needed in stock part number was 786710 was $71.** so should be back up and running soon. Dealer said there is another spindle identical but slightly longer that is on the V-shaft engine tractors.. good things to know because I always keep these when parting out rusted decks etc.. and just a quick visual they all "look" the same so I guess I always assumed they was..