The first clue that you’ve got a spindle problem along with your riding mower might be an uneven or stepped appearance in the grass after you have mowed. If you become aware of either of those conditions, take a look at the spindles to find out whether at least one of these are bent, loose or broken. Should you discover they are, it’s time to pull your tools out and replace the funky spindle using a brand new one.
Spindle Basics
The spindle on a riding mower is the article to which the blade attaches and about which it spins when the device is in action. A lawn mower might have one or more spindles, based on the magnitude of the mower and how it’s fabricated. You might have a problem with one or more spindles in precisely the same moment. Spindles may deteriorate from simple wear and tear over the years or might bend or break suddenly when you collide with a significant foreign object like a stump, big stone or cement walkway during mowing.
Safety Precautions
Before you get to work replacing the spindle on your riding mower, then you will need to take a few measures to ensure your safety. Park the mower on a level surface, then place the parking brake and remove the keys in the ignition. Remove the spark plug wire from the spark plug as well to prevent accidental ignition. Put on a pair of heavy duty work gloves to protect your hands and fingers from the sharp edges on the mower and blades.
Spindle Removal
To access the spindle easily, remove the deck in the mower. Remove the blade and pulley in the spindle and lay them aside. When a spindle has been set up on the mower for a number of years, then it could be difficult to eliminate. If the bolts that hold the spindle assembly in place appear stuck in place, apply a penetrating oil and allow it to soak for half an hour or so before attempting to remove the bolts again. Unscrew the bolts, remove the spindle assembly and then pull the spindle in the center of this unit.
Spindle Replacement
Since eliminating the old spindle assembly is often the most difficult part of the replacement process, reassembly of this unit must be a cinch. Insert the new spindle into the center of the spindle housing. Reattach the spindle housing to the mower deck using the bolts that you removed before. Reinstall the blade and pulley and tighten them in to place. Consult your owner’s manual to ensure you’ve tightened the flange nut that holds the pulley in place to the proper specifications. The suggested torque for your flange nut is often between 55 and 65 foot-pounds, nonetheless, your model might need a slightly higher or lower figure.