Scotts 50567x8 rider, Kohler 20hp, 50" deck

[prangster]

Well I needed a mower in a hurry and ended up with this well-used Scotts rider.

Question 1 Can't find an owners manual anywhere! My research indicates this mower was made by Murray. Is that correct? If so I wonder if there is Murray wth the same specs as the Scotts mower. If I can't find a Scotts manual how about a Murray version? I need to know how the deck attaches, service specs on mower, deck and engine.
Question 2 My research indicates a hydraulic drive but I find no filler or drains for the rear end. Not hydraulic drive?
Question 3 The deck is pretty rotten. Any pointers on shoring up a see-through deck?
I only need a couple of years of usage. If there is a matching deck from Murray I could maybe swap them and get a bit more service from the mower.
Question 4 There is a knob missing on the 'dashboard' at the bottom. Love to know what it is for.

I would appreciate any response. I am a retired type person and have plenty of time but having a manual will save me a lot of effort and will help me keep this old baby running for a few more years at least. Thank you!

 

[Rivets]

Don’t know if this link will be of any help, but is a start. Can't find much info. http://www.partsandservice.com/html/Murray/lt/lt50567x8.html

 

[prangster]

Don’t know if this link will be of any help, but is a start. Can't find much info. http://www.partsandservice.com/html/Murray/lt/lt50567x8.html

Thanks for that. The diagrams are helpful. I usually go to manuals.com but my antivirus won't let me go there any more. If I can't find a manual I suppose I'll have to tear it down to figure it out. The mower is noisy under way and I'm a bit concerned about the drive. All good though. I've got almost nothing in the mower and I need a project to get me off the sofa. All the best to you and yours!

 

[StarTech]

Most likely if the noise is moving only be the idler pulley bearings. The way these are made you replace the pulleys.

Now is a different story as you need to some patching of deck by cut and welding new sheet metal. Then pulleys and spindles that might replacing.

 

[prangster]

Yeah, the deck is sub optimal (!) to the point I don't think it's worth fixing. I also think this mower was produced under various badges so the chances of finding used parts is good if I can figure out what the other makes and model numbers are. The engine sounds good so this might be a good project if the drive is OK.
Thanks for the info!