Re: (ET) mower deck questions

[Don Cohen <bond007d netsync net>]

Jim,

As to the first 2 questions:

I am not sure what the sleeves look like because my deck didn't come with 
them when I got it.  I found out after about 2 years of using the deck 
without them that they are very necessary.  I happened to look down one 
day and saw that the point of contact between the deck arms and the front 
mower guide was in bad shape.  Actually, the rubbing action had worn the 
right guide arm down to the point of almost getting through the thickness 
of the arm's steel and piercing it through.  The left arm wasn't as bad, 
but that is probably due to my turning pattern - tend to mow counter 
clockwise most of the time.  The guide was also worn by 1/3 to 1/2 of its 
original diameter.  Since my wife does most of the mowing, I didn't notice 
it till it was almost too late.  Anyway, I couldn't figure out why that 
happened, but I didn't know until recently that there was supposed to be 
some sort of protector sleeve.  I came up with my own solution before I 
found out, and it is very simple and probably much cheaper than purchasing 
them from Bill (I have bought a LOT of stuff from Bill, so don't think I 
am knocking him). Just cut 2 pieces of 1 1/2" PVC pipe about 12-18" long 
and slip them over the deck arms.  They don't need any securing, because 
the weight of them keep them from moving up the arms at all. This approach 
probably doesn't look as good as the originals, I'm sure, but from what I 
can tell by the way they are wearing, they will last a long, long time - 
plus, they can be replaced in a moment's notice if necessary!  

The retaining rings you mention are for keeping the mower arm wear sleeves 
in place.  According to the mower manual, they are supposed to be 
installed 1/2" from the lower end of the main tube of the arm.

Can't help you with the 3rd question - sorry!

Hope this helps,
Don Cohen




.At 01:32 PM 6/14/03 -0400, Jim Coate wrote:
>A few questions as I look more carefully at the mowing deck...
>
>- both of the support arms have a black plastic sleeve maybe 3" long. Is 
>this supposed to provided protection from where the arm rubs against the 
>front bracket? Is it time to replace since there are holes worn through 
>the plastic?
>
>- one of the arms has a "C" clip thing on it, but the other arm doesn't. 
>Are these clips to keep the black plastic sleeves from sliding off? How 
>important are they?
>
>- above the roller bar is a black rubber strip. With the deck adjusted up 
>fairly high, there is a gap between the rubber strip and the rollers. Is 
>this gap normal or has it worn off and I should replace the rubber strip?
>
>
>TIA.
>_________
>Jim Coate
>1992 Chevy S10
>1970's Elec-Trak
>http://www.eeevee.com
>
>
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Don Cohen
DC Electronics
Shinglehouse, PA