42" Rear discharge overhaul

[John c 114]

The 42in RD is finished, thanks everybody for your help along the way. I would've preferred the original paint but it was too much already lost to rust. I'm hoping I can cut some grass with it in the next few days

 

 

[lynnmor 8,004]

Is that right rear wheel cattywampus?

[oliver2-44 10,879]

4 hours ago, lynnmor said:

cattywampus?

One of those technical terms that perfectly describes what you are talking about

[ri702bill 9,779]

And is that fixed idler an added or original feature? Looks beneficial to address belt slap over the longest run between pulleys...

Edited September 25 by ri702bill

[lynnmor 8,004]

55 minutes ago, ri702bill said:

And is that fixed idler an added or original feature? Looks bebeficial to address belt slap over the longest run between pulleys...

I know some add them but any pulley should have a fair amount of wrap to prevent wear as the belt will slip on the pulley if it has minimal contact.

[JoeM 8,625]

12 hours ago, lynnmor said:

cattywampus

I ain't heard that since my dad was alive! Good one Lynn

[peter lena 9,373]

 @JOHN C. you did it ! thats the added idler  , been using  for years , also  blue color belt , tractor supply ?  the EFICENCY  that adds to function is amazing , the INCREMENTAL BEARING HANG  UP ,is what starts it , typically  lubrication failure . always looking for  a  repetitive problem area , to correct . every one of my bearings , is lucas green , never had a problem, failure . now combine that with an underside cleaning , oil soak , in the sun , BREAK THE GRUNGE CYCLE , like this , no rust or rot on my decks , the lubrication hat sun bake in , leaves a black oil finish that just  stands up to use.  3 decks in use for years , also  sharpen my blades with a small . fine file , minimal metal removal , up against the shed wall , for storage , use an S  shaped hook with a screw in wall eye , to  extension spring , like a 5 /16  round rod , about 10 " long  for spring mount to  deck lift carriage . easy to make . set up . pete 

 

[clueless 3,314]

looks great but why didn't you replace the gage casters (wheels) with the proper height ones, you can buy them with the shoulder bolts for less than $50. They will correct the said catawampus and give you the correct cutting height when adjusting you height quadrant.

[peter lena 9,373]

@clueless agree on the wheel set up , my own set up is at  highest point , letting a deck fully discharge  its typically  something to enhance , done a lot of that  , original set up  worked , on just about  everything ,but needed help. probably the neatest part of that  , is that  you cannot initially see it  !  pto lever set up , needs help, from  side of battery tray start ,to heim joint  lever end , plow blade , lever swing ,  to swing quadrant ,shoulder bolts ,  the difference in movement is amazingly smooth / easy . detail lube the mule drive , bearings , and related set up , again , smooth easy , no  rough  screaming engagement , rough cables , dielectric oil and spring assist  , have years on the changes , no issues ,  just talkin  , pete 

[Brockport Bill 2,017]

19 hours ago, John c said:

The 42in RD is finished, thanks everybody for your help along the way. I would've preferred the original paint but it was too much already lost to rust. I'm hoping I can cut some grass with it in the next few days

 

 

always good when a deck can be saved --- many degrees of doing a rehab or restoration -- but any level of improvement that can give them extra years is worthwhile -- we've done a few and always gratifying to see them have a long future - here are a few photos similar to your rehab

[John c 114]

The right rear is cattywamp'd .... it had been broken and welded back and was miss aligned. The easiest thing was to heat and bend the quadrant plate to match the misaligned angle of the bracket on the axle rod. It should do fine for me. 

 

I stayed with the larger gage wheels to try and get a bit more height than the original style would allow. 

 

Yes, the new idler is not OE, I got the idea from "greasy pete" the theory sounded solid and it only cost a few bucks, 

 

Bill, that's some very nice work you've done, have you cut with that 37in deck before ? I had one on a 310-8 some years ago, best cutting wheel horse to date for me

[Brockport Bill 2,017]

On 9/25/2025 at 3:17 PM, John c said:

The right rear is cattywamp'd .... it had been broken and welded back and was miss aligned. The easiest thing was to heat and bend the quadrant plate to match the misaligned angle of the bracket on the axle rod. It should do fine for me. 

 

I stayed with the larger gage wheels to try and get a bit more height than the original style would allow. 

 

Yes, the new idler is not OE, I got the idea from "greasy pete" the theory sounded solid and it only cost a few bucks, 

 

Bill, that's some very nice work you've done, have you cut with that 37in deck before ? I had one on a 310-8 some years ago, best cutting wheel horse to date for me

i bought a 312-8 brand new in 1989 -- including the 37 sd with bagger -- used it 35 yrs -- up to couple yrs ago when i began rehab of the 312 -- so re-use of original 37 is pending the 312 being back in service -- hopefully this fall so i can suck up leaves ------------ i agree the 37 has terrific cut --- i suspect it's because of just 2 blades, plus in my case, because i have the bagger system my blades have the "lift" feature -- which i am guessing helps create better cut appearance - i tried using the 37 on 314 as well as c175 but the 8 inch front tractor wheels on those models hit the front shell of the 37 because of the angle design - i actually last year bought a used 37 cheap and did rehab on it and sold it as replacement deck to a guy with a 310 who had worn out his deck -- got good price with the rehab job -- i think $350 -- people who like their 308, 310 or 312 and had a 37 tend to want another 37 rather than a larger deck  -- so i am always looking for another 37 to rehab then re-sell -- but i do not do welding, so hard to find a solid shell 37 worthy of rehab - - here are few photos of the 37 i rescued and did rehab and sold. the bottom and blades on this 37 i just pressure washed - putty knife scraped and wire brushed clean then oiled - - looked good.