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John Deer lawn Tractor S120 Deck Overhaul

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Baywatcher

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I was going to pass on doing this myself but thank your U TUBE and being a Tradesman.  

The noise the deck was making increased so before it blew up, I took the deck out and found the Spindle bearings were the problem - AGAIN Had a Sears Trctor with the same issues. Why they never redesigned the Spindles from the Berrings going Bad. 

I ordered 2 complete Spindles. Both Idler Pullys - Belt - Pully Brake Kit from Amazon $130. Prime from a dealer add $200 + 

If I had to make a living doing this, I would Stave so far have 3 1/2 hours including cleaning. Found a Mobile Repairman estimated Labor only $200.00 but to me it is the satisfaction of DIYS, Problem the Berrings suck bad design habitual failures no matter the make or models. 

Pats come Thursday by 6pm Friday will reassemble should be faster. 

And Shade Tree Mechanics out there Forgot Tractor is 3 Seasons - years old cut 1/2 acara twice a week 

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9 hours ago, Baywatcher said:

I was going to pass on doing this myself but thank your U TUBE and being a Tradesman.  

The noise the deck was making increased so before it blew up, I took the deck out and found the Spindle bearings were the problem - AGAIN Had a Sears Trctor with the same issues. Why they never redesigned the Spindles from the Berrings going Bad. 

I ordered 2 complete Spindles. Both Idler Pullys - Belt - Pully Brake Kit from Amazon $130. Prime from a dealer add $200 + 

If I had to make a living doing this, I would Stave so far have 3 1/2 hours including cleaning. Found a Mobile Repairman estimated Labor only $200.00 but to me it is the satisfaction of DIYS, Problem the Berrings suck bad design habitual failures no matter the make or models. 

Pats come Thursday by 6pm Friday will reassemble should be faster. 

And Shade Tree Mechanics out there Forgot Tractor is 3 Seasons - years old cut 1/2 acara twice a week 

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Used to to maintenance on GC equipment when short handed, one job was replacing bearings on the big 8' Deck mowers used for mowing the  rough areas.  I got into 2 stroke repair in the last 6 years or so and mostly for chainsaws thanks to Youtube.  I got rid of one but still have 4 running saws that were going to be scrapped, alas I still have but 2 hands:laugh:. If you should ever run into generator problems look up James Condon on YT. Very meticulous/methodical  in his problem diagnosis.

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9 hours ago, ted527 said:

I just replaced spindles and blades on my 20 year old Cub Cadet. Had replaced a spindle here and there over the years due to tree roots.

Son has a 3 yo cub and just did the spindles and roots also and Sand just the luck of the draw I could not believe the amount of how too videos on U Tube dedicated to them and the Grease fitting being BS with sealed Berrings in them. Could have just replaced them but not worth it & as far as blades I use 3 types Mulching - High Vac. - Bagging 

Spindle with worthless zerk fitting 

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On 9/20/2023 at 11:36 PM, Baywatcher said:

Why they never redesigned the Spindles from the Berrings going Bad. 

 

Why do you think they make them so cheaply.

 

Because they want you to buy a new tractor instead of fixing your old one.

 

In the old days if you hit a rock you made smaller rocks.

 

Do that with todays cheap machines and it breaks.

 

 

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17 hours ago, Gotcow? said:

Why do you think they make them so cheaply.

 

Because they want you to buy a new tractor instead of fixing your old one.

 

In the old days if you hit a rock you made smaller rocks.

 

Do that with todays cheap machines and it breaks.

 

 

Agreed

 

The lightweight decks they put on now are another weak point as they are prone to rotting out if they aren't cleaned regularly.    

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Did you ever grease them? 

 

Not for nothing but I am in the business of small engine repair, once a year yank the deck remove the guards and grease and clean

sharpen etc.

 

I have mowers with years on the spindle bearings. 

 

Now a known failure point of a single cylinder overhead valve Briggs and Straton is the head gasket.

 

The engine will start to use oil then if your not up on checking your oil level it will be out of oil and bang its dead.

 

Stop washing it every time and blow it off with a blower or air gun.

There's no need to blow smoke up my ass as a lengthy preamble to your insulting another person. It doesn't fool anyone and it doesn't garner any favor.

 

TimS ---Tim To Otshawytsha October 16 2018 #3956

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3 hours ago, CapeDave said:

Did you ever grease them? 

 

Not for nothing but I am in the business of small engine repair, once a year yank the deck remove the guards and grease and clean

sharpen etc.

 

I have mowers with years on the spindle bearings. 

 

Now a known failure point of a single cylinder overhead valve Briggs and Straton is the head gasket.

 

The engine will start to use oil then if your not up on checking your oil level it will be out of oil and bang its dead.

 

Stop washing it every time and blow it off with a blower or air gun.

 

I thank you for the reply photo is the John deer spindle replacement OEM from amazon.  note the Grease Fitting. As you say you are a Repairmen you well know it is worthless since the Bearing are SEALED Berrings and by greasing you are only filling the housing Every U-Tube video asks the same question WHY, Even My John Deer Dealer has no explanation or reason for it. One could just replace the Berrings but the entire unit is a few bucks more, had a Sears riding more some 20 years & replaced the spindles 2 times, I mow 2 times a week 1/2 acer, March to Oct. 

 

I always went with Twin Cylinders singles who have too many problems and shorter lives.  

 

Never had any Oil issues & check regular 10-30 Change yearly with new filter 

 

Use the Wash out in the deck as needed some say no problem other say avoid it 

 

Son has a 3yo Cub Cadet just did Spindles Must be a Jersey thing. 

 

Over some 55 years cutting laws with from a Snapper Ride on to a Sears Tractor to this John Deer, And the Sears my son did 3 Neighbors laws all 1/2 acres till I just sold it for the JD RUNNING. 

 

So again, Greasing the spindle with sealed Berrings :headscratch:    :dismay:  Note the Cut Away 

 

Again, Thanks for replying.  

 

Just added Berring and Spindle open showing Greas not Pretty/ Note how they Leaked the Grease 

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Edited by Baywatcher
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