Repairing Guides

how to repair a lawn mower deck

by Beulah Larson Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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  • Preparing the Workspace
  • Ventilate the Area Where You’re Working
  • Clean the rusted areas
  • Remove damaged metalwork
  • Grind or file back rusted surfaces
  • Apply anti-rust paint
  • Trim the glass matting
  • Mix the Resin and the Activator
  • Install fiberglass matting
  • Repeat application of fiberglass matting and activated resin
  • Allow hardening
  • Sand back resin to a keyed surface
  • Apply paint and protective coating

Full Answer

How to properly level a mower deck?

These are steps to follow for leveling the mower deck

  • Control the tires for the air pressure with the pressure gauge. All of your mower’s tires should be filled to the maximum appropriate pressure. ...
  • Your mower’s blades should be rotated to the side. ...
  • Now that you know you need to make an adjustment, begin by going to the left rear wheel. ...

How to repair a rusty lawn mower deck?

Rusty Mower Deck- Remove the rust

  1. Clean the area- Ensure the area is clean from grass and dust etc and then get at it with a wire brush. ...
  2. Apply the Kurust with an old brush- The Kurust will convert the rusty area into a solid and inert surface. ...
  3. Leave it to dry and do it’s magic- It only actually takes 15 minutes so this really is a job you can do all in one go.

How to clean a lawn mower deck the right way?

To do this there are a few simple steps:

  • With your mower in a normal position, flat on the ground, you’re going to pull on the starter cord, as if you were trying to start your mower. ...
  • If you have a brake handle, pull it down.
  • Now, pull softly and slowly on the cord. ...
  • When you’ve found that point, on the next pull only pull as far as that point. ...

How to put belt on the mower deck?

How to install the Mowing Deck Drive Belt?

  • At first, you have to slip right the new transmission drive belt into place. Secondly, put the drive belt between the stack pulley and the belt guide plate. ...
  • One of the major works is already done. ...
  • After that, put together the idler pulley. ...
  • After doing all these, check the drive belt to make sure the motion drive belt’s location. ...

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Cutting out the patches

I decided that I was NOT going to bother with trimming the holes perfectly and inserting filler plates. Due to how thin the metal was in some spots, I decided to just cut the patches with plenty of overlap so I was able to weld where there was good thick steel.

Bending the filler plates

I totally forgot to take pictures of bending these. I DID however take a time lapse video below of the entire process which includes me bending the plates, so keep reading.

Welding the filler plates

The welding itself was mostly uneventful. My welder has 5 settings and I had it on 1 to minimize burning through. You will have to do some testing to figure out what settings work for you and your project. Here are some notes on the difficult areas though:

Time lapse video of the repair

Here is a quick 2 minute time lapse of the repair start to finish. I thought it was kind of cool and got some video of using the bender on the patches. Take a look and like/subscribe!

A word about quality standards

I am all about doing the best work possible, but I am also conscious about the intended purpose vs the time invested. In this case, the lawnmower is given a new lease on life and I only invested a couple of hours. Could I have spent more time on it and made it beautiful? probably but there would be no advantage in doing so.

Conclusion

We have become a disposable society, but if you have the right tools and a little bit of gumption you can really make things last. It is also fun to find good deals when others don’t feel like fixing things and sell them cheap. Hope this is helpful to you.

How to repair a worn spindle on a deck?

Remove the blade and the pulley from the worn spindle. You may want to repair both spindles even though only one is showing symptoms. Remove the worn spindle from the deck. Be careful when removing the bolts. Use penetrating oil and let it soak. If the bolts break off, don't panic.

How to fix a screw that won't turn?

If that does not work, drill them out, then buy a new spindle and use a thread protector on the screws.

What to do if your bearings break off?

If the bolts break off, don't panic. You can drill and tap new mounting holes slightly offset from the original ones. You must now dismantle the spindle assembly in order to replace the bearings. Take the spindle to the bench and suspend the casing over the jaws of a vise or similar object.

How to force a nut out of a spindle?

As shown in the photo, strike the nut with one sharp blow from a small sledge. It doesn't take much. This should force the shaft out of the spindle casing.

How to get bearings out of seat?

Using a screwdriver, tap out each bearing from its seat.

Can you remove the shaft from a spindle?

At this point, you should be able to remove the shaft from the spindle casing. You will be left with a spindle casing with the top and bottom bearings exposed.

Can you replace a riding mower spindle?

Instead of purchasing a replacement spindle for your riding mower deck, you can repair the spindle for a fraction of the cost by replacing just the worn-out bearings .

How to fix a broken lawn mower?

Find the air filter on the side of your mower’s engine. They’re usually covered by a plastic or metal cover. Use either a screwdriver or a wrench to remove the screws or bolts and take off the cover. Pull out the filter and inspect it for cracks, tears, or holes.

How to tighten up a mower wheel?

If you notice any loose bolts, screws, or wheels, use a wrench or screwdriver to tighten them up. It can help increase the life-span of your mower.

What happens if your lawn mower oil is dirty?

Lawn mower oil should be golden brown and there shouldn’t be any dirt or debris floating in it. If your oil is dirty or dark, tip the mower over on it’s side and allow the oil to drain completely into a container.

How to fix a loose spark plug on a lawn mower?

Use a wrench and turn it clockwise. Look for the spark plug on the side of your mower’s engine. It’ll look like a small piece of metal pointing sideways and covered by a protective rubber cap. Over time, the plug can get loose in it’s socket. Fortunately, it’s a pretty easy fix. Take a wrench and give it a gentle turn until it’s tightened up. If you were having trouble starting your mower, give it a go and see if that helps.

How to stop rust on lawn mower blades?

Grassy buildup can affect the blade and lead to rust. Carefully lift or tip your mower on it’s side over so you can access the blade area. Take a damp cloth and remove any grass build-up that could be affecting the blade. It’ll also help protect your mower against rust.

Why won't my lawn mower start?

A clogged or damaged fuel line can cause your mower to not start.

How to get fuel out of a mower tank?

If it was left in the tank over the winter, it can affect your engine. Use a siphon to safely remove the fuel from the tank of your mower into a fuel-safe container. Once the tank is completely empty, refill it and try starting it up.

What tool to use to flatten out a bend in a lawn mower?

Hammer, the mower deck blade, is a crucial thing in this work. You can choose the ball peen hammer to flatten out the last of the bend. I suggested using the anvil for this. But if you don’t want to do this, you can use access to one a sledgehammer.

How many blades are in a reel mower?

Another side, the modern rotary mower blades are sharp-edged. Usually, there are two blades in a mower.

Can you cut grass on a lawn mower deck?

It is not possible to cut the grass well for the sake of the deck. As soon as you see that your mower has started to move in an abbreviated manner, you know that it is time to change the bent deck of your mower or to sharpen and fix it in a while.

Why replace a deck lid if you don't want to?

It is still worth doing if you decide you don’t want to replace the deck lid because it will neutralize the rust and prevent it from spreading and causing further damage.

How to keep a lawn mower from rusting?

Storing your lawn mower in a dry, clean shed can be a great way to prevent rust, but it isn’t an option for every lawn mower owner. Rinsing it off after use also isn’t a bad idea, but if it is going to continue to sit outside in the elements, buying a cover is the only solution. If you’re sick of staring at a rusted lawn mower deck ...

When will lawn mowers be rusted in 2021?

on June 28, 2021. There is nothing quite as annoying as having an old, rusted lawn mower deck. At the same time, it seems to be an experience most people have in their time owning a lawn mower, and it takes a lot of care and effort to prevent it. Storing your lawn mower in a dry, clean shed can be a great way to prevent rust, ...

How to remove rust from paint?

Using some water, a degreaser, and a wire brush, you can remove just about anything off of the surface. Be sure to use the wire brush to remove big chunks of rust and surface rust, and clear the area of residual paint to ensure that the new layer of paint will adhere well to the surface.

Can rust damage a lawn mower deck?

Rust can be annoying and cosmetic, but it can also cause structural damage too. Once you’ve cleaned off the dirt and debris, take a moment to check out how extensive the rust damage is. Surface damage can be easily revived, giving you a lawn mower deck that looks almost as good as new, but giant holes and spots that have been rusted through will need replacing.

When will Toro mowers be available for sale?

Toro Co. lawnmowers containing Briggs & Stratton Corp. motors are displayed for sale at The Mower Shop in Louisville, Kentucky, U.S., on Tuesday, July 21, 2020. Briggs & Stratton can initially borrow as much as $178 million under its proposed bankruptcy loan, but a judge denied a request to seal the letter outlining JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s fees for arranging the financing. Photographer: Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Should I replace a deck lid or spray rust converter?

It is still worth doing if you decide you don’t want to replace the deck lid because it will neutralize the rust and prevent it from spreading and causing further damage. Spray rust converter and paint. If you’ve never used a rust converter before, I promise it will change your life.

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