Question on 42"inch deck center pulley bearing
 

Upon getting a new belt to drive the mower deck on my newly acquired 72, I began having problems with getting the belt adjusted just right. No matter what height setting I set it to, it eventually would throw the belt. This called for a closer look and I'm quite sure that I found a contributing cause to the problem. The center bearing has a lot of play in it, not really noisy, but far too much slop for my liking. After studying this piece for a while, I've concluded that the only way to service this pulley bearing is to drill out the rivets that hold it together. But (and a very big BUT it is), is there a replacement bearing available for this pulley? Here's a few pics so you know what I'm talking about.

Thanks, Paul

You do realize, that the Spindle Pulley and Spindle Bearing are two different parts...???:bigthink:

You have pictured Spindle Pulleys, and have nothing to do with bearing slop.

Yes, I am aware of that , but most of my slop seems to be in that bearing in the spindle pulley. How do I go about repairing or replacing the spindle pulley bearing? Thanks, Paul

What R. bedell is trying to say, is that there is no bearing in the pulley you pictured. With that pulley removed from the shaft, does your shaft (where there is a bearing) have slop in it? The pulley you pictured just presses down over the shaft when you line up the key way.
Are you saying that when you press the pulley back on the shaft and it is fully seated and tight, you have slop in the pulley that is independent of the shaft? Or does the shaft move with the pulley when you feel the slop? TB

What you are describing is difficult to understand. IF......the pulley bore is "wollard-out", and doesn't fit snug and secure on the shaft, it is pulley replacement time.

I finally figured it out, but it took dismantling a second deck to see the light
 

The center "collar" with the key way in the middle of the pulley was spinning independently from the pulley. The four tiny spot welds apparently broke a while back and to see it close up you'd think this was the way it was designed (the way it was worn in ) . To me they appeared to be a sort of "guide" for the spinning collar. In any case, crisis averted, I pulled out my trusty welder and retacked everything "better than new". Thanks for all of your help, wish I had explained things better for you in the beginning but at the time I didn't understand that the collar was supposed to be permanently attached to the pulley. Thanks, again, Paul

Glad you got it fixed, sometimes things are not as they appear.

Much like taking a "10" home from the bar, with a six pack under your belt.
In the morning, things look a whole lot different Ha,LOL:biggrin2:

:ROTF2: Yeah, you can wake up, put your glass on, look at her and have a stroke! :biggrin2:

Good job figuring it out (and fixing it). It's hard to tell from the pictures that it was separated from the center hub. TB

Beer goggles. Yup. Been there. Trick is to not stop drinking till she be gone!!!:beerchug::beerchug::beerchug::beer2:

Mowing deck is a 381U-1112, thought it took a 77 inch belt, what gives?
 

Now that I got the center spindle all figured out (needed to be welded), I decided to get a new deck belt as well. I looked it up here (http://www.cubcadet.info/Manuels/Bel..._1947-2004.pdf ), and if I'm not mistaken, it calls for a 77 inch x 1/2 wide belt. Got the belt home and started to install and noticed that it was much longer than necessary. If this 42" deck doesn't take a 77 inch belt, what size belt does it take?? Looks to be 3 or 4 inches too long. Anyone? Thanks again, Paul

Guess my 42" deck is actually a 38" deck
 

Duh! Thats what I get for believing the seller instead of READING the numder on the deck (381U-1112 ). In any case, for future references (and searches), the correct length belt is 72" x 1/2 " and the CC part number is 954-3002.