Deck problem

[skipper124]

My friend recently gave me his Yardman 13.5 H/P 38" mower to sell. I noticed the deck wasn't cutting right. He said he recently bought new spindles/mandrels for it and said it wasn't mowing right after that. I think I found the problem but don't know how to fix it. Them brake like things are pushing up against the side of the pulleys instead of fitting inside of them. It looks like there are some holes up higher to mount them in but don't know how to get them off and remount. Looks like they are riveted in. Any way to fix that?

 

[mechanic mark]

Post Model & Serial Numbers from under seat, thanks, Mark

 

[bertsmobile1]

The brake blocks are right where they should be and do run against the edge of the pulley
When the deck is engaged they should clear the pulleys
We will need the numbers Mark asked for because some have adjustments while others require welding / bending
It looks like those pads are too thick to me

 

[StarTech]

First Bert you are mistaken on how these brakes are intended to work. The pads goes into the v pulley groove not the edge.

I know of the problem and so does MTD but they refuse to fix the problem. The brake pads are indeed located wrong and so will any new replacement brake assemblies. Mtd actually has the pads themselves available but the replacements MTD sent me were of such low quality I returned them and demanded my money back. I currently planning making my own pad out bulk brake pad material that I have purchased this Fall when my work load lets up.

You will have to drill out the rivets, reposition the brake pads, and re-rivet them. Here I use 3/16 stainless steel rivets but plain zinc steel rivets will work. It just I like a tighter fit of the rivets. Now of course will need a rivet tool that will work with the 3/16 rivets. Most hand rivet tool will not break the stainless steel anvils of the 3/16 rivets.

You might get lucky and be able to the existing mounting holes when re-mounting the pads.

The rivet clamp range needs to be 0.434"-0.59".

 

[bertsmobile1]

Well that is interesting
all of the MTD's we get here have a 1/4" thick flat brake pad that runs against the sides of the pulleys or the 1/2" thick ones that run against the top of the pulleys .
So there we have a difference between the local & export models .
I suppose there is some US regulation about how many revolutions of the blades are allowed before they stop that we don't have down here .

 

[StarTech]

Oh we have those here too on older models and a few new TB models are using larger square pads. I got three styles of pads here in stock but don't have the fourth one that were mounted on the frame that engage a disc on top of the pulleys but that one is very old style where the deck disengage by raising it fully and them brake stopped the spindles.

 

[bertsmobile1]

I gave up on trying to get bake pads locally
Got my hands on a couple of lengths of external tractor brake straps so cut strips off this then drill & rivet with monel rivets
Seem to do the job well enough
Remembering that I rarely see brand new machines but the 2019 Craftsman I have just finished has the rim brakes on the deck .
Sorry about confusion

 

[skipper124]

Would it be possible to use little bolts, nuts, and washers instead of rivets to remount them?

 

[StarTech]

Personally I would not that due the torque and vibrations in the area. Plus rivets are usually cheaper, hold better, and easy to install.

Cheaper to use a couple $2.50 stainless rivet vs the 683-04167-0637 Brake assembly @ $40 plus shipping. BTW you will not find the Pad-Spindle Brake listed on most of the "F" deck IPLs but it is PN 761-04017. I think it is only listed on the Cub Cadet IPLs. But of course MTD is ridiculous for the pad now, it was only $4 ea the last time I brought any now they are around $13-$14 a piece.

 

[StarTech]

These are the ones I seen locally.

761-04017 (uses 3/16" rivets, 0.434"-0.59" range)

761-05007 (uses 5/32 rivets, 0.376" - 0.5" range)

761-05017 (same as the 761-05007 except one side is clipped)


and then these very old style spindle brake assemblies.

761-0168A