48” mowing deck spindles/belts/blades?
 

Hello everyone!

This is my first post on here, although I have been floating around a lot and learning a bunch.

I have a new to me 149 that I bought primarily for snow removal and sold my 2 stage blower. Well after putting a bunch of work into it I found out someone attempted a repair on the rear axle and cross threaded/stripped most of the rear axle bolts. I bought a “parts tractor” that once I saw it in person, and picked it up, I realized it is in better shape then my other. But now I have got to thinking of selling my 2015 John Deere 160 and using the 149 as my mower as well so I only have to maintain one lawn tractor. I have found some really nice parts break downs in the technical library in here and have the old IH/cub cadet numbers but was hoping someone has part numbers for a Timken or other brand the auto parts stores locally could source for me. Also, is there a better place to buy belts and blades for these old decks? Mine is a 48” with the cast iron spindle holders so I believe that means I have the rebuildable spindles?

Thanks in advance!
Nick

I think you'll be happier with OEM belts--they are not your typical 1/2 inch belts, which seldom work as well or last as long.

As for spindles and blades (and belts) you should to go one of the Cub Cadet parts suppliers. I don't think the spindles are rebuildable, but I could be wrong on that.

Cub Cadet did not make their bearings. That was a vendor bought item. When cross referencing bearings, use the number imprinted on the bearing. You will have better success, than using the IH numbers. Any Bearing Supply House can help you with that.

It depends on the generation of 48" mower deck you have. There was a transition point where IH went from rebuildable spindles to the "water pump" type of bearing, in the spindle.

Blades ?? Go where you want.

Belts ?? You will find the Mule Drive Belt is better suited to buying OEM. The bending and twisting really taxes the life out of belts, and a lot of aftermarket belts don't hold up. Straight running belts can use other than OEM.

Blades. I have sourced Cub Cadet and name brand blades from ebay. But, watch price and shipping cost. You will know when the pricing is low.

Generally, my local Cub Cadet dealer is a good source for specific parts. He will special order what is not in stock and has in a few days.

I got everything I needed from the dealer besides the bearings I got from the local car quest. I had to fix the right rear corner where the bracket for the idler wheel welds onto the deck it was all rotted out. Cut out the bad and welded in new. It seems to work great! But when I lift it the left side is down 1-2” lower then the right. Low enough that the idler wheel always touches the ground. It isn’t to big of a deal I can lower it down and sit it right on the wheels to mow. But is this a common issue on them? A simple fix or tweak to get it to raise level so I can use the stop instead of sitting it down on the wheels?

NO, it is not common. I would look at the lifting mechanism to see if something is out of alignment, bent, twisted, or broken.

Thank you! I wonder if a spring pin could be broken on the left side?

That was my first thought.

I rebuilt my 48” deck a few years ago. I made a few upgrades along the way.

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