The new project: fabricating a PK mower deck hitch

MNGB

MNGB

Tractorologist
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For something to do I decided to fabricate a deck hitch/mule drive for the 1958 Country Squire, last summer I installed a set of bolt on front quick hitch mounts as the hitch/mule drive I had had been modified to use that system. But I wanted to fabricate an original hitch so this week I got started on the project. First I rounded up the materials and started cutting and drilling here;s day 1 & 2 progress

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Made some progress on the hitch assy got it welded up for the most part have been researching V idler pulley's and I'm trying to find a extension spring looking up springs can drive one crazy I just can't make rime or reason of how springs are listed. Here's a few more pictures

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On mine, the round stock that the idler pulley swivels on has a arm for the spring and a chain welded to the subrame that the other end of the spring hooks to. I don't know if its original but it works. The short chain provides tension adjustability. 20230401_094145.jpg20230401_094133.jpg20230401_094116.jpg
 
Got some more completed its coming together, I found a trampoline spring in the spring collection and it may work, have not completed the welding on the aft mount tabs but I'll wait and do a trial fit first and can not do that until I can remove the snow pusher and Mother Nature has the last say in that. But I can fabricate a couple of spacers and weld the mule pulley arm to the axle and make the belt guide.

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MNGB said:
Got some more completed its coming together, I found a trampoline spring in the spring collection and it may work, have not completed the welding on the aft mount tabs but I'll wait and do a trial fit first and can not do that until I can remove the snow pusher and Mother Nature has the last say in that. But I can fabricate a couple of spacers and weld the mule pulley arm to the axle and make the belt guide.

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The spring arm should be atleast at a 90 degree from the pulley arm if not slightly towards the front as you can see from my picture on my power king. That is unless you have some other method of attschment in mind. Also has a short piece or chain welded to the rear of the lower bar to attach the spring to. It is a 90 degree difference. The second picture I posted shows correct geometry and chain placement.
 
Propane1 said:
I’ve used springs that come off a clothes washer tub. Fairly strong. I think that’s what I got them off. Jumpins my memory is bad.
I’ll see if I can find one and post a picture of it.

Noel
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Smart thinking! Spings and wheels are things to hoard. Oh, I mean frugal to have on hand. lol

We just junked an old Maytag. Same here, we saved the durable tube springs.

And if you know a neighbor or family member junking an old trampoline, snag those springs!

At an estate sale, I got a box of 12 new trampoline replacement springs for a mere $1. :cool:
 
Looks like spring is finally slowly getting here this morning I removed the snow pusher and did a trial fit of the mower hitch the LH side fit perfectly the RH side the tab must have move a bit when I clamped it down to weld so I ground the weld off and was really glad I only welded one side carefully measured and clamped it down and welded one side did a quick trial fit and its good. It was time to go home for coffee so will do more work this afternoon
 
Did a test fit this afternoon the bolts went in but a couple were tight so I ran a 1/2" bit thru the holes and its good, the new 4" pulley and bushings are coming Friday I searched and searched for 4" 5/8 or 1/2" bore pulleys nothing that was reasonably priced ( I wasn't going to pay around $50.00 per pulley) I had one 4" with 11/16" bore so I ordered another one and some bushing to go from 11/16" to 1/2" so when that order comes I can finish assembly of the mule drive part. Tomorrow I'll take it off the tractor and finish welding all the tabs etc then clean it up and paint

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Had my VA annual this morning so didn't get to the shop until after 2 this afternoon, finished reaming the mount tab holes and then removed the hitch and finished the welding and went over it with what's left of the wire cup on the angle grinder came out good so tomorrow morning I cleaned up the parts with lacquer thinner and shoot some paint on them. Not nearly as warm for me as Chris was having but it wasn't bad in the mid 60's and the snow is steady retreating but we still have lots of it
 
The one thing I noticed is that it appears that you have no way to lock the tensioner pulleys in the " off " position. Did you have something in mind? I lock the bar under these short rods to disengage the deck.
 

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ericforster said:
The one thing I noticed is that it appears that you have no way to lock the tensioner pulleys in the " off " position. Did you have something in mind? I lock the bar under these short rods to disengage the deck.
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Waiting on getting some 1/2" round stock to fabricate the on/off control rod, look at picture 4 you can see the rod from my other hitch
 
The hitch frames are in the paint room curing hopefully Friday when the new 4" idler pulley gets here I can assemble the pulleys and the install the mule on the hitchy and it will be close to finished

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The Amazon order came today I has ordered 4 bushings to go from 11/16" to 1/2" and a V idler pulley 4" X 11/16" bore ID, disappointed when I opened up the package the bushings were right but the pullet was not it was 4" X 3/8" bore/ID went and looked at the order details and per the details of the pulley it was suppose to be 4" X 11/16" bore (.6875") so I did a return and searched for the right pulley. Nothing on Amazon, Walmart had some available as did several other sellers but the prices were $20 to $24 plus shipping generally about $12.00, did find one on Ebay for $13.00 + 9.00 shipping so its on the way. This afternoon I went to put the bushing in the one pulley I had and it would not slide in so I had to reduce the bushing OD several thousands then got it pressed into the pulley bearing so that one is ready to go
 
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