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Started By
Message
Lawn Mower needs a Deck Repair or Replacement
Posted on 5/25/25 at 8:58 am
Posted on 5/25/25 at 8:58 am
I bought a riding mower in 2022. The deck has turned to crap. One of the pulley mounts that was welded at the factory rusted through causing one of the pulleys to go from straight to a 45 degree angle cutting into the deck.
It probably could be re-welded and some metal plates to patch the rust spots.
I did try some JB Steel Weld but that lasted 5 minutes.
Here is the kicker. I could buy a new deck for about 400 dollars, but that would entail having to unmount and remount all of the pulleys, grass chute and blade engagement mechanism from the old deck.
I was even tempted to purchase my own Harbor Freight welder, but I have absolutely no experience welding. I know YouTube could come in handy.
As far as a used deck, EBay had nothing, and my next step may be to contact a few small engine shops in my area.
It probably could be re-welded and some metal plates to patch the rust spots.
I did try some JB Steel Weld but that lasted 5 minutes.
Here is the kicker. I could buy a new deck for about 400 dollars, but that would entail having to unmount and remount all of the pulleys, grass chute and blade engagement mechanism from the old deck.
I was even tempted to purchase my own Harbor Freight welder, but I have absolutely no experience welding. I know YouTube could come in handy.
As far as a used deck, EBay had nothing, and my next step may be to contact a few small engine shops in my area.
10
Posted on 5/25/25 at 10:33 am to Tarps99
quote:
I bought a riding mower in 2022. The deck has turned to crap.
Less than four seasons. I know you’re POed.
Posted on 5/25/25 at 10:44 am to Tarps99
A couple of ideas:
- if the rust-thru area is small, try some oversize (fender) washers to spread the load.
- if the above won't work, get a piece of heavy gauge sheet (1/8" or so) to patch the area.
And as always, a pic of the damage in question will help to narrow down repair options.
- if the rust-thru area is small, try some oversize (fender) washers to spread the load.
- if the above won't work, get a piece of heavy gauge sheet (1/8" or so) to patch the area.
And as always, a pic of the damage in question will help to narrow down repair options.
Posted on 5/25/25 at 2:33 pm to Tarps99
Buy the cheap flux core welder, watch some YouTube videos and figure it out. The green one. You can do it I promise. Welding isn’t nearly as hard as welders would have you believe. Plus you get a new skill out of it that will save you even more money down the road
Posted on 5/25/25 at 7:30 pm to Tarps99
Had the same problem with a John Deere lawn tractor that my late father-in-law had.
It had rusted through in a couple places, affecting how it worked, and I pulled the deck and welded plates to make it whole again, primed and painted the deck and it worked for another 5 years before finally giving up the ghost.
It had rusted through in a couple places, affecting how it worked, and I pulled the deck and welded plates to make it whole again, primed and painted the deck and it worked for another 5 years before finally giving up the ghost.
Posted on 5/26/25 at 7:44 am to Tarps99
I see and hear of so many mower decks rusting through all the time but I’ve had my main mower now for 8 seasons and there is zero rust on the deck, or anywhere for that matter. How do these decks get rusted through so easily?
Also, I’ve always thought about buying one of those harbor freight welding machines but like you, don’t because I know nothing about welding. I guess one day I’ll do it and just figure it out as I go.
Also, I’ve always thought about buying one of those harbor freight welding machines but like you, don’t because I know nothing about welding. I guess one day I’ll do it and just figure it out as I go.
Posted on 5/26/25 at 10:46 am to TDsngumbo
quote:
How do these decks get rusted through so easily?
Grass clippings build up in the low spots on the deck around the spindles. Clippings retain moisture causing rust. Hose off the deck or blow the clippings off with your leaf blower after mowing to extend deck life.
Posted on 5/26/25 at 1:12 pm to TDsngumbo
Remove the deck belt pulley covers
Posted on 5/26/25 at 1:21 pm to Tarps99
I had a Dixon ZTR that was 22 years old with no rust.
The deck was stamped not fabricated.
I maybe washed it once or twice a year.
The deck was stamped not fabricated.
I maybe washed it once or twice a year.
Posted on 5/27/25 at 8:11 pm to ItzMe1972
Facebook marketplace is full of used mowers needing a new deck. It’s a common problem and not cheap to replace the deck. I’d try to repair it.
Posted on 5/29/25 at 2:16 pm to Tarps99
I see John Deere is promising $20 Billion investment in US over next 10 years.
Maybe they could allocate a few beans for R&D on premature deck rust outs.
Maybe they could allocate a few beans for R&D on premature deck rust outs.
Posted on 5/29/25 at 4:18 pm to Tarps99
I have had good luck with the decks on 2 mowers. I had a Scott’s S2554, basically a clone of a John Deere, and had no issues with rust. I kept it indoors so there is that. Now I have a 6 year old Craftsman ztr 7000 series with a heavy duty welded deck and so far no issues. Keeping it indoors a utility shed really helps.and, BTW, buying the new deck and swapping over the spindles and pulleys is not a huge effort. I’d do that……
Posted on 5/30/25 at 2:00 pm to Tarps99
leave it out side to get stolen
Posted on 5/30/25 at 10:57 pm to Tarps99
Had a 2007 John Deere Z425 zero turn and ended up replacing the deck in 2022. Paid little over $1000 from Sunshine equipment and that cheap arse stamped deck was bent in less than 2 years and I junked the whole thing last summer. Bought the thickest gage deck zero turn I could find, BadBoy elite. Pleased so far.
Like OP said I would look at lawn mower repair shops for a used deck.
Going to pick up my new Kubota tractor next week!
Like OP said I would look at lawn mower repair shops for a used deck.
Going to pick up my new Kubota tractor next week!
Posted on 5/31/25 at 3:05 pm to weadjust
When I buy a new mower I will clean off the underside of the deck of any oils from the manufacturing process and use an undercarriage spray like they use on car bodies and frames to put a protective layer before I even mow for the first time.
Then every time I finish mowing I will tilt the mower to expose the underside and hose any grass clippings and dirt off the deck.
Even with doing that it will eventually start rusting in spots after several years use.
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