Steel Substitutes For Aluminum Deck Spindle Houseings?

[tarcoleo 119]

In only a few years of use the aluminum spindle housings on my
48" deck have become eroded by abrasion and oxidation.  Has anyone
found steel housings to replace the OEM aluminum units that will be  durable.?

Edited October 18, 2013 by tarcoleo

[Don1977 605]

It's the acid in the grass that eats them up. Best thing is to clean them up and paint with a good coat of epoxy paint. I cleaned and painted mine two years ago just used some Rustoleum  primer and paint I had at the time. I plan to do it again this year and use epoxy this time.

[SousaKerry 503]

You could have steel housings made by a machine shop but they would be quite pricey. Earlier decks used cast iron housings but they were prone to cracking. Aluminum was used as die casting is fairly cheap when done in large quantities.

[tarcoleo 119]

Was hoping that someone has adapted steel spindles from some other

brand, a long shot I guess.

[MalMac 1,332]

I think this subject is going to start gaining momentum as the housing get pricey and start becoming harder to find. I wonder what Toro is using on some of the commercial ZTR's. Toro does or did use a lot of parts that crossed over from Wheel Horse and visa a versa. I have a lathe and had often thought of tackling this project. Even then by the time it was done you would probably have the same money wrapped up in it. You would have something that would not corrode as easy though.

[swarfeater 49]

Heres a couple i made for my farm king, about 20 years ago. finally retired her from work a few weeks ago. they were cast from scrap aluminum and made quite strong. grease fittings and new bearings lasted 20 years.

Edited October 19, 2013 by swarfeater