3206, 290 to 295 mower deck swap ?

[boatnuts2]

Hi All, I have a 2000 3206 with a 290 mower deck and needs some work. Have found a 2009 new 295 deck at a good price and was wondering if anyone knew if they would interchange. Not real sure of the differences. Hope someone here could shed some light!!! Thank you for your knowledge and any help someone can offer.
Randy

[Oak]

Randy, yes, the 295 deck will work on the older machines. What is wrong with your 290 deck? The newer 295 uses cheaper spindles but other than that they are pretty much the same. They did redesign the area where the spindle mounts so you cannot swap spindles.

Here is a pic of each deck that I rebuilt. This is the 290. Notice how they use the reinforcement disc where the spindle mounts. This spindle is also like the older types used and is pretty heavy duty.

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Here is a 295 deck. Both use "set 2 bearings" and the same seals. This one does not use a key on the pulley like the other deck does.

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Here is the 295 spindle. They run them in with self tapping bolts and 2 of the 3 assemblies broke when I removed them.

New housings are on Ebay for about $10 each. or you can buy them with the bearings and seals for about $30 each.]

[boatnuts2]

Thanks for info Oak, The 290 deck is rusty, needs spindle bearings, rollers need work, gearbox is noisy and so on. I found a 295 deck that is brand new and since it will work on the 3206 I can purchase the 295 deck for less than it would cost for gearbox and driveshaft and I think they are the same for both decks. This would give me a chance to restore the better 290 deck and part out or sell what I don't use of the 295 deck on resto on the 290. This way I can use my mower all summer and do the 290 deck in my spare time. Thanks again and you have been a big help.

[Oak]

Ah, the rollers. What another crappy design to save money.

Here is the stock setup. A brass bushing that probably has to spin a million times every time you mow with no lubrication.
DSC04081.jpg

Here is what I did on my 3205 with a 290 deck.
I took a piece of schedule 80 pvc pipe (because it had the proper I.D.) put 2 sealed flange bearings in the ends and a piece of 56038 Good Year radiator hose over the pipe and have been running this for over 200 hours with no problems.

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[Dirty Steve]

Awesome roller mod, Oak. I like it!