Model YTH 18542 Mandrel Assembly

[platefire]

Hay Doc

Well I had a debate between me and myself regarding OEM and aftermarket. Because the Husq one lasted since 2019, I thought I would go with
it again. The 8-ten sounds pretty tempting. I'll checkum out

 

[Auto Doc's]

Hi platefire,

Many of the new OEM mandrels come installed with one time use self-tapping bolts (On purpose). These bolts are common to break off on purpose, so the mandrel cannot be reused. Creative engineering at its best.

I prefer the aftermarket mandrels with regular threaded holes, bolts and washers. "Oem" mandrels are overpriced anyway, in my opinion. Most OEM mandrels are made by the aftermarket supply chains under strict design guidelines. (Bolts that break)

I have refurbished several decks over the past couple of years with full deck "rebuild kits" by a company called 8-ten on Ebay. The kits come with mandrels, pullies, blades and deck belt.... Some even come with mounting hardware for the mandrels.

 

[oldntired55]

Yep I use ZZ in place of RS and grease.

roughly 15 years ago, on an older Craftsman rider i had , i took the spindles apart... removed the inner seals.. and drilled and tapped for greasefittings... right thru the side of mandrel between bearings, making sure they could be reached with the deck and pulleys on. since then, i have modified many decks this way with good results.

 

[Auto Doc's]

Hello oldntired55,

I came across some recently where the new deck spindle makers installed a tight fit pipe spacer to set the distance between the upper and lower bearings because the inner housing casting was machined for only one of the bearings to have a snug shoulder fit. Without the spacer tube in place the other bearing would just slide up inside the housing.

Question: How do companies sell more new parts?

Answer: Make the unserviceable and replace only?

The only solution that I could come up with for that newest design was to drill a couple of holes in the pipe spacer, remove just the inner bearing seals so they would face to the inside, then pack all of it with grease before reassembly.

I got tired of putting fittings on just the cast housings, because it became a waste of grease and very messy to work on them for the customers who loved to grease their spindles every time they cut the grass. I applaud their efforts of traditional servicing habits, but it was getting out of hand with some of them.

 

[platefire]

I checked outthe 8-ten kits for my mower that's an awful lot of stuff compared to what I just paid for a single OEM Mandrel Ass'y. For $30 more dollars I could have got two mandrel ass'ys, but also a deck belt, idler pulleys, blades and new spindle pulleys. I just paid about a month ago
$36(including tax) for the stationary Idler pulley at my local parts store. It's handy being able to get the part right in your hands quickly if
your right in the middle of a mowing job but it sure pays to shop around on line if you can pre-concieve a need coming up before it actually breaks down. As a retired guy on a fixed income taking care of my two acre place, saving a buck here and there sure helps:>)

 

[Auto Doc's]

I've worked small engine equipment since I was a very young man, and it has always been a backup source of income for me. There is not enough paying customers in my area to even consider going any further than that.

It keeps me active, and I don't rush anything. If people want it right, I can do that, but I don't do "right now" jobs.

As for parts, I use and recommend Ebay much of the time or Jack's small engine. There are several other sources to even get surplus OEM without all the markups.

Free shipping and returns through Amazon mean nothing to me if I just keep getting repeat bad parts.

 

[platefire]

I've worked on small engines every since I started mowing yards about 13 or 14. Not for money but my own needs. The first in depth repair was my Allstate Moped that I worked all summer mowing yards for and picked up used for $50. It was in good shape except the engine was running kind of weak. I ordered from Sears a new cylinder, piston and rings and it was less than $20 including gaskets. The engine ran so much stronger after that I was forever impressed of what a little mechanic work could do. I'm still not an in depth small engine mechanic but manage to do most of my own repairs. I hate working on chain saws, so if I can't find the solution easily, usually take it to a chain saw man.