John Deere 39" Mower Deck

CRF6179

Goofologist
Member
Got started on this today. It was supposed to have been completely redone. It is well painted but I couldn't move the blades which caused me some doubt.
Once I removed the cover I found out why. Someone painted several coats of paint while the belt was installed. The paint acted like glue and the belt was stuck to 6 different pulleys. Also the tensioner was froze stuck. After removing the belt the blades/shafts moved freely and quietly. The belt was froze in position and could have been used as a guide for installing the new belt. However there was a new belt routing decal on the backside of the cover. After removing , cleaning and lubing the tensioner I reinstalled it and the belt. I put new wheels on it and relaced the cover and lift arms. To keep the arms from chipping the paint I put some felt pads where they would rest. Washed it up a little and will reinstall on the tractor once I have the blades sharpened and reinstalled.
 

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my definition of 'restored' is very strict... even with something like a mower deck I think every bearing or bushing needs to be replaced regardless condition, castors and wheels replaced, even most small bolts replaced, and then given a proper paint job complete with new stickers.

but theres no money in that so I dont 'restore' anything... I fix and flip;)
 
my definition of 'restored' is very strict... even with something like a mower deck I think every bearing or bushing needs to be replaced regardless condition, castors and wheels replaced, even most small bolts replaced, and then given a proper paint job complete with new stickers.

but theres no money in that so I dont 'restore' anything... I fix and flip;)

yeah I have several sitting in the barn like that. I have 3 times in them vs what they are worth
 
Got started on this today. It was supposed to have been completely redone. It is well painted but I couldn't move the blades which caused me some doubt.
Once I removed the cover I found out why. Someone painted several coats of paint while the belt was installed. The paint acted like glue and the belt was stuck to 6 different pulleys. Also the tensioner was froze stuck. After removing the belt the blades/shafts moved freely and quietly. The belt was froze in position and could have been used as a guide for installing the new belt. However there was a new belt routing decal on the backside of the cover. After removing , cleaning and lubing the tensioner I reinstalled it and the belt. I put new wheels on it and relaced the cover and lift arms. To keep the arms from chipping the paint I put some felt pads where they would rest. Washed it up a little and will reinstall on the tractor once I have the blades sharpened and reinstalled.
Don't want to chip the paint and expose all the crap they painted over.
Don
 
My wife keeps bugging me that she wanted me to fix up this JD 160 LT for her rather than the MTD I did. Engine is missing parts and the wiring is in terrible shape. It's the only JD I've ever had and looks like too much work and expense for a lawn mower anyway. She has a thing for JD's for some reason.

DAC

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My wife keeps bugging me that she wanted me to fix up this JD 160 LT for her rather than the MTD I did. Engine is missing parts and the wiring is in terrible shape. It's the only JD I've ever had and looks like too much work and expense for a lawn mower anyway. She has a thing for JD's for some reason.

DAC

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To me, this is the point where JD started going down hill, stamped frames, vertical shaft motors. belt driven cheap hydrostatic transmissions, etc If you were closer Doug I would GIVE you a working twin of that tractor, with the mower deck and 95% snowblower.
 
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To me, this is the point where JD started going down hill, stamped frames, vertical shaft motors. belt driven cheep hydrostatic transmissions, etc If you were closer Doug I would GIVE you a working twin of that tractor, with the mower deck and 95% snowblower.
She would dig it, Jake! Oh well, too many miles! That JD160 looks a little bit better made than the MTD/Bolens I got going for her though. Do those Kawasaki vertical crank engines have the same footprint as a 15.5 B/S? Wonder if the engines could be swapped? Seems like I read it was built in the early 1990's or maybe even late 1980's.

DAC
 
Some info for you Doug.

Noel
 

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She would dig it, Jake! Oh well, too many miles! That JD160 looks a little bit better made than the MTD/Bolens I got going for her though. Do those Kawasaki vertical crank engines have the same footprint as a 15.5 B/S? Wonder if the engines could be swapped? Seems like I read it was built in the early 1990's or maybe even late 1980's.

DAC
They are about the same as the comparable sized Briggs and Kohlers. There are few of those late eighties to mid nineties 100 series floating around my area. My uncle and I got one thrown in on a deal with a 214. Came with the deck and snowblower, sans mule drive for the blower. It's too light for us. so right now it hides under a tarp.
 
Some info for you Doug.

Noel
That is probably where I was remembering the date, Noel. I have it bookmarked but was too lazy to actually look it up. Thanks for doing the work for me---LOL!

They are about the same as the comparable sized Briggs and Kohlers. There are few of those late eighties to mid nineties 100 series floating around my area. My uncle and I got one thrown in on a deal with a 214. Came with the deck and snowblower, sans mule drive for the blower. It's too light for us. so right now it hides under a tarp.
I imagine at one time they may have been a dime a dozen. Now probably most are scrapped. Maybe one of these days, I'll bring it in and pull the engine.

DAC
 
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