Spindle hack?

Crossfield · #1 07-02-2020, 08:55 PM

Hey everyone.

This is my first post. Judging by the amount of content, my question may have been answered somewhere else, but I can't find it. I have a Cub Cadet 129 that has been re-powered with a 16 hp Honda clone. It runs well, but a few years back the mower deck fell apart.

I managed to find a 50 inch deck, missing center blade, pulley and spindle. I have a few spindles, but they are all pretty much shot.

Given the cost of new spindles (yikes!), I'm wondering if there are cheaper spindles that can be relatively easily adapted to the task. Has anyone tried this and succeeded?

Thanks!

Steve N Mi · #2 07-02-2020, 09:33 PM

Welcome!

I don't know what type spindles you are looking to replace.

I have a 50C deck with the water pump bearings. I had one with a chewed up woodriff key slot I needed to replace - I did a lot of searching before I found a supplier at ~$68. each new. About the same time I found some affordable new bearings I picked up a useable spindle bearing nearby for $50.

sorner · #3 07-02-2020, 09:35 PM

You're probably better just picking up another deck and robbing the spindle you need from that, or picking up a used one from eBay, or members here. I might even have one I can spare.

R Bedell · #4 07-03-2020, 06:35 AM

First, welcome to OCC........

Quote:

I don't know what type spindles you are looking to replace.

Me either. Perhaps a picture of what you got would bare some more and better information.

Hairtrigger · #5 07-03-2020, 06:58 AM

Check out Glens Surplus. They sell parts online
They are located a few miles away from a MTD factory. Very fun place to visit

Crossfield · #6 07-03-2020, 09:52 AM

OK, for your reference guys, here's what I'm dealing with, though the image itself was snagged off the Interweb. Can't change the bearings, seemingly. It sells for anywhere from $80 US (a little over $110 CDN), to over $300. Plus I need the double centre pulley for the 50C deck. The tractor is great, but the deck isn't worth putting $3-400 into. And finding used (and usable) decks in my part of the world is pretty much impossible. So my thought is to find another, cheaper type of spindle that can be used in its place. But maybe I am just https://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/...tdeadhorse.gif

ol'George · #7 07-03-2020, 10:28 AM

Well, the later decks utilize aluminum spindle housings and fit without modification.
Example: the ones on a 1720, to name one
they have inexpensive LM 11949/lm11910 timkem style taper roller bearings that GM for one, used in dam near all the autos in the 70's and before FWD vehicles.
The pulley is about $50, they pop up on ebay as well other places,
and still avail from cub new.

Crossfield · #8 07-04-2020, 08:39 AM

Thanks! That's something I can research on.

R Bedell · #9 07-04-2020, 09:33 AM

The bearing pictured is the ST-745 Bearing. I don't know what they sell for in Canada, but here in the States is about $80.00 from our Sponsor CCSpecialties. Click on the tab at the top of the page.

Crossfield · #10 07-05-2020, 09:21 AM

This is the problem I'm running into: The ST-745 bearing, at $80 US works out to about $110 CDN, plus shipping. The pulley is something like $90US. On Evilbay the bearing is $158 CDN. The deck shell is good, but not worth dropping that kind of money into. Meanwhile you can get a 3 pack of complete spindles for the MTD era Cubs for $135. I was hoping someone knew of a cheap replacement like that.
Which are the spindles that have the tapered roller bearings that ol'George mentioned?
I appreciate all your input. Thanks. Happy Sunday.