Exmark deck on a Wheel Horse

[kpinnc 14,998]

I had to get back on this project. It needs a thread of it's own. Bill finished his, and mine has been about half-done for months.

 

I had previously tested it, and it cuts great with excellent clipping dispersal. I haven't planned to use it with my 520-H, but I did test it on that machine with great results. One great advantage was that there are no clippings that get into the Onan at the flywheel. 

 

Anyway, the caster setup worked fine, but was just too big for use with anything that has a standard front axle, and even on the 520 it was a pain to get it on and off the tractor. 

 

So I'm going back to 'normal' gage wheels, but not using the adjustment quadrant like a standard WH deck. As it is right now, I'll have 6 possible cut heights using hitch pin placement to set it, and they go up to almost 4 inches at the highest setting. I've also dropped the carrier down closer to the deck in the hopes of making installation and removal easier. 

 

The first pics below are from the original design and testing. The pics without casters are the new wheel design. I'll be testing it this week and then painting afterward. I still have to add scalp wheels too.

 

 

[Bill D 2,323]

I look forward to seeing the end result.  Please post as many details and pictures as possible.  I may try building another one using an Exmark deck.  I haven't been entirely happy with the clipping dispersal from the Bobcat deck.

I like those gauge wheels.  Where did you buy them?  Do they have bearings or bushings?

Edited April 17, 2022 by Bill D

[kpinnc 14,998]

1 hour ago, Bill D said:

I may try building another one using an Exmark deck.  I haven't been entirely happy with the clipping dispersal from the Bobcat deck.

I like those gauge wheels.  Where did you buy them?  Do they have bearings or bushings?

 

I think your Bobcat deck would work the same if your baffles were like mine. Also- my blades run almost 1/2 inch higher than the baffles, and nearly an inch higher than the front lip of the deck. 

 

The wheels are actually kinda huge. 8 inch diameter, and yes sir, they have bearings. I really want some 7 inch ones so I can tuck them under the adjustment arms. 

[ebinmaine 73,714]

We don't mow with a rider but the work is interesting to me nonetheless. 

Looks good.  

Is keeping the deck wheel under the adjustment arm for aesthetics? Or to line up the cut edge to the wheel mark in the grass? Other reason?

 

What was the impetus for doing this in the first place?

Had this deck on hand?

Just for the halibut?

Use what ya have?

 

 

[kpinnc 14,998]

1 hour ago, ebinmaine said:

What was the impetus for doing this in the first place?

Had this deck on hand?

Just for the halibut?

Use what ya have?

 

The deck was from a walk behind mower. I made a hitch and used it as a towed mower for a while, but couldn't help thinking that it would eventually pop me in the back of the head with a rock. 

 

This deck was what started the 'whatchamacallit' build too. The cut quality of this deck exceeds anything I've seen from Wheel Horse. The 60-inch deck comes close, but still not as good. Also, there are a couple places where my zero turn won't fit. Not to mention my zero turn needs a backup in case it's down for maintenance. 

 

So there's several reasons for it. If you only saw the way this thing cuts compared to a standard deck, you would understand. 

 

Edited April 17, 2022 by kpinnc

[ri702bill 9,697]

Judging by the thick ribs on the top, this probably weighs as much as a 60" deck for a D series!

[peter lena 9,356]

@kpinnc  think thats a terrific upgrade to that deck , the increase in stability  and direction should make mowing easier, use the good stuff in those swivel wheel bearings  , and related areas . pete

[kpinnc 14,998]

4 hours ago, ri702bill said:

Judging by the thick ribs on the top, this probably weighs as much as a 60" deck for a D series!

 

Not quite but it is heavy!

[Pullstart 67,438]

23 hours ago, kpinnc said:

walk behind

Great source idea for decks from broken engine commercial units at the auction…

[Bill D 2,323]

3 hours ago, Pullstart said:

Great source idea for decks from broken engine commercial units at the auction…

Mower shops are loaded with them.  The shop near me has a pile of dead Bobcat walk behinds.  Also consider the welded deck from brands like Husqvarna.  My neighbor had one.  I think it might work under a horse.

[kpinnc 14,998]

The thing about walk behind mowers that is helpful, is that the cut height is often determined by spacers on the bottom of the spindles. The reason I say this is a good thing is because you can set the cut substantially "up" under the level of the skirt and baffles. Wheel Horses, like most belly mowers don't provide much room, so cutting higher is difficult. Commercial mowers regularly cut as high as 4 inches, and you can't get that with a standard WH deck. In the pic below, the blades are an inch above the skirt of the deck. I can set it another half inch higher if I chose to. A WH deck in the same setting would nearly have the blades on the ground.

 

In addition, these things are made of 1/4 inch plate steel. Heavy, but extremely durable. One of the few things that got higher in quality of construction over the last 30 years...

Edited April 18, 2022 by kpinnc

[kpinnc 14,998]

Been a while since I posted anything about this setup. Also quite a bit has changed on it. 

 

I drug it back out because my WH 48 is still not finished. It has some additional mods to work out, so this one is headed for duty. This thing mows like a mountain goat on Crack. It's gonna be fun. 

 

I borrowed the adjuster quadrant from the deck I got from @Bill D, and it works great. Only problem is this thing is deep front to rear, and getting it under the tractor is a bit of fun to say the least. 

 

Still got some minor adjustments to make, but it's gonna be mowing later this week like it sits. 

 

 

[Bill D 2,323]

Mountain goat on crack, I love that 🤣🤣🤣.

[kpinnc 14,998]

I'm gonna call this one finished. It still needs some minor adjustments, but it cuts and runs great. I need a new belt, as this one is an inch or so too long as evidenced by the mule drive being maxxed out. Deck is smooth, but sounds like it's about to pull up to a hover, and I'm running the outer smaller pulley on the PTO at about 3/4 throttle. Absolutely zero clippings pile up, and my yard (the small part in the pic anyway) was quite overdue a cut. 

 

Blades are running right at 3 inches cut height. That's about all I'll get on this rig simply due to clearance under the tractor. Probably could squeeze another inch on a more shallow deck, or with taller tires. 

 

Anyway, Bill's adjuster setup made all the difference. I have had almost zero tinker time of late, but this one is done. 

 

Edited August 26 by kpinnc

[SylvanLakeWH 29,011]

Beautiful work!!! 

 

Have you thought about a top belt guard?

[kpinnc 14,998]

3 hours ago, SylvanLakeWH said:

Beautiful work!!! 

 

Have you thought about a top belt guard?

 

Thank you!

 

I have a couple belt guards. Not sure how much grass they will catch yet. But they may be used eventually. 

 

 

[peter lena 9,356]

@kpinnc  looks interesting  , 2 things really stand out to me , those idler pulleys are a regular  failure  zone , and the very long unsupported , spindle belt run to outer pulleys , have an extra  idler pulley ? would just place it  INSIDE  that belt run  , pushing  out  just as a  possibility  , to eliminate  belt bounce , that eats bearings . those tiny bearings , with generic lube , usually  get into the whyining  stage early , telling you of break down . like the look . set up  of your plan , think some tweaking  , will enhance it . nothing sarcastic  or  offensive  in any way . done a lot of projects , and  follow  up  for function , looks very solid , pete   

[kpinnc 14,998]

2 hours ago, peter lena said:

things really stand out to me , those idler pulleys are a regular  failure  zone , and the very long unsupported

 

This is the best pic I have of the belt routing. I wanted to maximize the contact on the drive and driven pullies. It has two idler pullies and the belt runs smooth. It actually needs a new belt. 

 

But yes, the idlers are the weak point. I had considered using cast pullies with replaceable bearings, and may still do that. 

 

Edited August 26 by kpinnc

[peter lena 9,356]

@kpinnc  have 3 , 42 " RD decks , all set up the same way , from  experimentation  mods , have a pulley  pushing inward  , just about where your center lift frame arm is , but obviousely  different decks , will not allow that , with concentration of  pulleys. my opinion is to go with the pulleys that have the wide bearing , grease shield , all of my  bearings have lucas green , x tra hd , chassis grease  , polyurea rated , and 550 flash point , the wide pop off  seal allows easy wipe out , and carb cleaner flush , then hand pack those bearings , push back seals , my decks  spin up with ridiculous ease , also did my mule drive , same bearings , and pto  needle bearing . in service years now , with  no issues . also do this to break the grunge cycle , the oil staining  bakes on to the finish . pete