Rotary Cutter rear wheel assy

[Mudball]

Im not sure if I have a replaced rear wheel assy or bracket.
You can see the play travel in the picture because the vertical spindle is a good bit smaller than the sleeve it sits in. As a side note the lower horizontal wheel axle bolt has a good bit of sloppy play in that assy as well but not as concerning to me right now. As far as the upper (pictured) problem I do not see a bushing as an option on any parts list or diagrams that Ive found thus far.
I really dont want to leave it in this condition while I continue to use it in the near future and was wanting to know what you might do about the upper caster fork and the tailwheel frame gap ???
Try and find two bushing that would fit or what ?

 

[Burtonbr]

I had to buy a rear wheel fork assembly recently and while shopping for them I saw they were available with 1" & 1 1/4" shafts. Can't tell from your picture but you may need an 1 1/4" fork. A sleeve bushing may work for you out of a thin wall pipe, I'd probably just drill some holes in it so grease would transfer to inside and outside of a bushing.

 

[TripleR]

You might contact the manufacturer for a parts diagram, I got one from Woods to use in ordering replacement parts; should be able to get specs from it, sure doesn't look right.

 

[Diydave]

Drop the spindle out of the socket, and see what the wear on the spindle looks like. What happens is generally a chicken and egg thing. operator doesn't grease often enough, spindle wears a little, causes wear to start on socket,etc.

Also, that looks like a rather soft pipe, for a socket. I'd cut that pipe out, buy a new spindle, and turn a thicker piece of stock, for the socket. AND grease it every 4 hrs or so!

 

[Mudball]

I had to buy a rear wheel fork assembly recently and while shopping for them I saw they were available with 1" & 1 1/4" shafts. Can't tell from your picture but you may need an 1 1/4" fork. A sleeve bushing may work for you out of a thin wall pipe, I'd probably just drill some holes in it so grease would transfer to inside and outside of a bushing.

You might contact the manufacturer for a parts diagram, I got one from Woods to use in ordering replacement parts; should be able to get specs from it, sure doesn't look right.

Drop the spindle out of the socket, and see what the wear on the spindle looks like. What happens is generally a chicken and egg thing. operator doesn't grease often enough, spindle wears a little, causes wear to start on socket,etc.

Also, that looks like a rather soft pipe, for a socket. I'd cut that pipe out, buy a new spindle, and turn a thicker piece of stock, for the socket. AND grease it every 4 hrs or so!

As always great advise. Thanks for all the help.
I will make some phone calls this week and now I feel better about my options.

 

[Mudball]

I found out from Bush Hog that I am suppose to have a 1-1/4" tail wheel yoke shaft and I do but the problem is that someone installed a 1-1/2" tail wheel frame for that 1-1/4" wheel to fit in hence the sloppy play.
My options that I can think of are to replace the frame assy (expensive) to original 1-1/4", or new (larger)1-1/2" fork/yoke shaft to match the frame ($60.00), or try 2 flange bushings ($20.00) but Im not sure the bushings would stay in place or wear very well.
I could try and remove the assy and take the whole thing to a fabricator welding shop but Im thinking that wouldnt be very cheap either.
Before I make my final decision Im going to see what kind of condition the wheel hub and shaft are in. I might just replace the whole wheel and fork assy. ($175.00).
Thanks