Deck recommendations for '68 Raider

[Raider69 125]

I've been working on the mower deck that came with my '68 Raider "parts" tractor. The tractor turned out to not have the issue the seller thought it did and actually needed very little to make it fully functional. The deck however is another story, it's not quite as good as I originally thought by a fair amount. It will be functional once I get a couple more items but I'm not optimistic about how long the shell will last. Even though it only has a couple minor rust holes once I got the underside cleaned up it was pretty deeply pitted. I used Rustoleum rust dissolver on it then a heavy coat of self etching primer and a good topcoat of gloss red. I'll stay on top of keeping it cleaned out but I know I'm only slowing the rust, not stopping it. It's a 5-1421 42" side discharge, which newer 36 or 42 inch decks would work on my Raider? My yard isn't big enough to need a 48, even the 42 is a bit more than I actually need but works. 

Edited 3 hours ago by Raider69

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 12,233]

if you are going to invest in a newer deck get one that uses blades with a 3/4" center hole.

You may need the front quick hitch 8-5551 to accept the mule drive for the belts.

 

Here is a list of the 42' decks to look for

These decks all use blades with a 3/4" center hole.

1977 model 75-42MS02 replaced by (Do not have operator manual)

1978 model 85-42MS01 (Do not have operator manual)

1979 model 95-42MS00 (Do not have operator manual)

1979 model 95-42MS01 (Do not have operator manual)

1980 model 05-42MS01 (Have operator manual)

1981-1983 model 05-42MS02 (Have operator manual)

1984 model 05-42MS03 (Have operator manual) - Last year for bearings with 3/4" ID

1985 model 05-42MS04 (Do not have operator manual) - First year for bearings with 17mm ID unless older spindles were updated.

1986-1988 model 05-42MS05 (Have operator manual)

1989 model 15-42SC01 (Do not have operator manual)

1990 model 15-42SC02 (Have operator manual)

1990-1992 model 15-42SC03 (Have operator manual)

1993-2007 and 2009-2012 model 78345 (Have operator manuals)

These decks all use blades with a 3/4" center hole.

Note - 17mm is .669"

 

The 8-5551 hitch

Here are the 36" rear discharge decks.

(These decks used blades with a 3/4" center hole)

1979 model 95-36MR01 replaced by

1980-1982 model 05-36MR01 - Last year for bearings with 3/4" ID

1983-84 model 05-36MR02 - First year for bearings with 17mm ID unless older spindles were updated.

1985 model 05-36MR03

1986-1990 model 05-36MR04

1991-1993 model 05-36MR05

1993-2006 model 78305

 

Note - 17mm is .669"