Tips and Tricks - I need one!

[Henro]

I just rebuilt the spindle on my RC60BX-22 mower deck.

Every time I have to release tension on the mower belt, I suffer getting the tension spring back on.

It was easier when younger, but at 75 (gasp!) I seem to have less strength than I used to.

I use a rope tied to the end of the spring and a board as a lever to pull the spring long enough to get on the attach point. It is a struggle now. I end up getting it done, but not without thinking there must be an easier way!

Is there?

 

[ctfjr]

get a 20 y.o. to help?

like this one:

 

[Henro]

get a 20 y.o. to help?

like this one:
View attachment 89622

Might work for the mower deck. Otherwise not sure...

 

[Tughill Tom]

I just rebuilt the spindle on my RC60BX-22 mower deck.

Every time I have to release tension on the mower belt, I suffer getting the tension spring back on.

It was easier when younger, but at 75 (gasp!) I seem to have less strength than I used to.

I use a rope tied to the end of the spring and a board as a lever to pull the spring long enough to get on the attach point. It is a struggle now. I end up getting it done, but not without thinking there must be an easier way!

Is there?

Spring puller https://www.googleadservices.com/pa...ZLyjYb7AhU6MlkFHVY3CR4Q9aACKAB6BAgEEDY&adurl=

 

[fried1765]

get a 20 y.o. to help?

like this one:
View attachment 89622

I am just about to turn 82.....
I NEED her much worse than Henro!

 

[Henro]

Spring puller https://www.googleadservices.com/pa...ZLyjYb7AhU6MlkFHVY3CR4Q9aACKAB6BAgEEDY&adurl=

Don't think that will work as the issue is the spring is stronger than I am...would have worked when I was younger I suppose...

Thanks for the thought though.

 

[old and tired]

I use a ratchet tie down strap, crank it back and you can control releasing it, too.

 

[Captain13]

Use a small chain binder. Put one end on the spring with the binder open and use a piece of chain on the other end to secure to an anchor point. Start closing the binder till the spring is in position to connect the spring. Use a piece of pipe if you need more leverage. That’s how I do it on my Woods and it’s a heavy spring.

 

[DustyRusty]

get a 20 y.o. to help?

like this one:
View attachment 89622

Henro, fried1765........ Do you think that you could rise to the occasion? She would kill you in a heartbeat! Besides, I wouldn't want her working on anything that I own since she buys her tools at Horror Freight!

 

[Henro]

Henro, fried1765........ Do you think that you could rise to the occasion? She would kill you in a heartbeat! Besides, I wouldn't want her working on anything that I own since she buys her tools at Horror Freight!

You have a good eye! Most would not have gotten to the wrench! Or is that wench?

Perhaps you are closer to me than Fried1765 in the realm of dealing with these young ones!

At least in our imaginations anyway...LOL

 

[fried1765]

Henro, fried1765........ Do you think that you could rise to the occasion? She would kill you in a heartbeat! Besides, I wouldn't want her working on anything that I own since she buys her tools at Horror Freight!

Probably could not.
BUT if she killed me at 82.......what a wonderful way to go!
Tools?
It appears that she might have very high quality "tools"!

 

[Lil Foot]

If that "helper" was around here, I wouldn't get any work done on the mower deck, and neither would she.

 

[Henro]

Probably could not.
BUT if she killed me at 82.......what a wonderful way to go!
Tools?
It appears that she might have very high quality "tools"!

I was replying to DustyRusty, but I can agree with your assessment without question!

 

[Downeaster]

I just rebuilt the spindle on my RC60BX-22 mower deck.

Every time I have to release tension on the mower belt, I suffer getting the tension spring back on.

It was easier when younger, but at 75 (gasp!) I seem to have less strength than I used to.

I use a rope tied to the end of the spring and a board as a lever to pull the spring long enough to get on the attach point. It is a struggle now. I end up getting it done, but not without thinking there must be an easier way!

Is there?

I hear yuh, I just turned 80 and bought my first Kubota bx1880 two months ago. It had 85 hours on it
when I got it, I noticed the previous owner never did the 50 hr maintenance. Seeing as
I am a stickler for maintenance, I jumped in and did it. Damn skin on my hands is so thin now, I never
come away without a cut of bruise. I told the Kubota Dealership about the missed maintenance and
they assured me if it is under 100 hrs, I was absolutely in good shape.

 

[Bark]

I got distracted by ctfjr's post and cant remember what the OP was about.

 

[Bmyers]

You have a good eye! Most would not have gotten to the wrench! Or is that wench?

Perhaps you are closer to me than Fried1765 in the realm of dealing with these young ones!

At least in our imaginations anyway...LOL

She had wrench in her hands? I didn't see that.

 

[Henro]

I got distracted by ctfjr's post and cant remember what the OP was about.

Me neither! I can't even remember who the OP was!

 

[retired farmer]

This thread took a left turn somewhere! LOL
But getting back to the spring thing, any type leverage works. I used large channel lock pliers braced against the pully. This on a lawn mower.
rr

 

[hagrid]

When she's done with your spring set her loose in the yard to police errant feces.

 

[Dave_eng]

When she's done with your spring set her loose in the yard to police errant feces.

Henro
My experience is to leave the belt off one pulley and get the spring in place.
I then rotate the mower spindles and lever the displaced belt into place using a flat bar between the pulley and the belt. As things rotate, the flat bar moves past the pulley and you are left with the spring and belt all in place
It seems easier than dealing with the spring with the belt around all pulleys.
Dave