Another deck question.

[Ed Kennell 42,126]

I am rebuilding a model RL - 486 SD deck.  This is the old style side drive deck with the cast swing arm tensioner. . I was going to install the newer style frame hanger system to use it on My C-160, but

After taking a few measurements,  It appears  It would mount up to the C-160 s attach a matic  system with the old original hanger system.  I know I would have to eliminate the deck lift arm and attach it directly to the lift rock shaft lever.   My question is , has anyone tried this before and am I missing any problems?    Assuming it will hang OK, my other concern is will the front mule drive keep the tension on the belt as the deck moves up and down, or would I need a 520 style spring loaded mule drive or another  idler/tension pulley?

 

Any thoughts .....

[Racinbob 11,983]

Yes Ed, the deck will go right on with no modifications. Your spot on about the lift rod. I used that style of deck on my 76 C series for several years before I picked up a new deck. The only issue I had was, as you suspected, the belt tension. When the deck was lifted up it moved back putting more tension on the belt. It may not have been enough to hurt anything but I always dropped the deck and tightened the belt and loosened it up when I was done mowing. There may be a way around that but that was 40 years ago. The spring loaded 520 mule drive??? Don't know as they didn't exist at that time. It will be interesting what you come up with.

Edited March 26, 2016 by Racinbob

[squonk 43,934]

I'm doing sort of the opposite. I'm going to mount a 42RD on my 1267 Skonkfest tractor. I've installed frt and mid Tach o Matics. I just need to figure out how to raise the deck.

[Ed Kennell 42,126]

Thanks so much for the reply Bob.   I have a  newer carriage off a scrap deck and almost started to convert it.  Then when I took a few measurements, I realized the critical dim. were close enough to use the old carriage.    I thought someone must have all ready tried this. Glad you did.    I was surprised when you said the belt tightened when lifting, I was thinking it would loosen, but after looking closer at the geometry, I see it will tighten.    Got me thinking about  adding a  spring to a regular mule drive.  Another challenge after the holiday.

 

Good luck with your conversion Mike.   I assume the 1267 doesn't have the holes to mount a deck lift arm, but could they be drilled?  Keep us posted on the results

 

 

[squonk 43,934]

I have a lift arm but there's no holes. I hope to just rig something up with the rock shaft