Help, Part Is NLA from Kubota, Need options on how to proceed

[haanzel]

I have a 348-7 finishing mower. One of the spindles was damaged while I was trying to repair a broken gear bearing. Turns out, the spindle/shaft is now discontinued with zero in stock anywhere in Kubota.

Original part is 70080-00094 but was superseded by 70080-00449. I asked one nice parts dealer if there was a way to cross-reference, he confirmed there was. This part was only used on this mower

So, I am in a quandary on how to proceed. I can
1- search for a used one when/if they come up
2- replace it with another type of spindle since it is just a hole in the deck
3- have a custom one made which is bound to be $$$

I like #2 since I wouldn't be coupled to dealer specific items that can have manufacturing stopped at any time, which is my present situation.

Has anyone done option 2? Are there any replacement options that would be a good fit here?

 

[SidecarFlip]

If the housing is salvageable, have a new spindle machined for it and replace the bearings too. The bearings will have catalog numbers on them and any bearing supplier can cross them.

Good luck on a replacement housing and/or spindle, there are literally thousands of different variations out there.

 

[SDT]

I have a 348-7 finishing mower. One of the spindles was damaged while I was trying to repair a broken gear bearing. Turns out, the spindle/shaft is now discontinued with zero in stock anywhere in Kubota.

Original part is 70080-00094 but was superseded by 70080-00449. I asked one nice parts dealer if there was a way to cross-reference, he confirmed there was. This part was only used on this mower

So, I am in a quandary on how to proceed. I can
1- search for a used one when/if they come up
2- replace it with another type of spindle since it is just a hole in the deck
3- have a custom one made which is bound to be $$$

I like #2 since I wouldn't be coupled to dealer specific items that can have manufacturing stopped at any time, which is my present situation.

Has anyone done option 2? Are there any replacement options that would be a good fit here?

BTDT in the late 1980s with an old Dunham rotary cutter.

Searched for several years (no internet then) for a salvage cutter with a good gearbox or shaft without success.

Eventually, I gave up and replaced the mower.

Of course, salvage mowers with identical gear boxes started showing up shortly thereafter.

If mine, and I really wanted to repair the mower, I would try to adapt another spindle to the deck. Who knows, this could happen again.

SDT

 

[GreensvilleJay]

I googled '70080-00094' and Atlanta Kubota website says 'in stock'....maybe try them ??
Also a part that 'supercedes' another 'should' fit. Without seeing the spindle I can't tell ,but maybe they replaced the spindle AND bearings.
Often on riders, you can order a 'spindle kit' which is the spindle, bearings and pulley nut.

You can't be the ONLY one in the World with that deck, so there has to be an off the shelf solution as a custom made spindle will be $$$!
Jay

 

[haanzel]

Pics always help. The shaft is actually worse now, the threaded end is partially bent as I was trying to remove the inner bearing which feels like it is welded on and not budging. I have new bearings thanks to McMaster but need a shaft. Unless someone has an idea how to fix this.

The rest of the deck is solid and it works great. I will call atlanta. My search did not show them at all. Weird.

 

[Michael In Tennessee]

I would probably look for a complete generic spindle assembly and adapt it to the mower. Probably get two so they match. Might need new pulleys and blades to match. I see several online in the $30 to $50 range.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

https://store.germanbliss.com/woods...id-mount-rotary-cutter-spindle-assembly-parts

any help ??
I'm still lookin....
Jay

 

[haanzel]

I appreciate it Jay. I called Atlanta, they said that site is old and very outdated. I have sent emails to some fab shops, awaiting replies to see what they can do. The diagram is helpful in case I decide to fab a generic one up. I supposed I need to go to TSC and get a visual on what they have and how I can make it work.

 

[Tughill Tom]

I appreciate it Jay. I called Atlanta, they said that site is old and very outdated. I have sent emails to some fab shops, awaiting replies to see what they can do. The diagram is helpful in case I decide to fab a generic one up. I supposed I need to go to TSC and get a visual on what they have and how I can make it work.

Find a Good Machine Shop and get two made, if one bad replace both at the same time to lessen the future failure risk. It's not a big job by any means to make those shafts.

 

[redfernclan]

Just a suggestion, but if you go to a machine shop, give them the good one and ask to have two made, then keep the original for a spare.

 

[torch]

The part of shaft visible in the picture looks pretty simple. Threaded end and a keyway. No splines or other complications?

Should be simple enough to produce. I wonder if a student at your local high school machine shop class would be interested in earning a few bucks while honing his skills?

 

[haanzel]

Yes it is pretty simple. I have some feelers out to some local fabricators, so will see what they will say. One option is to weld on more and then have them turn it on a lathe. The other is to create new ones. If I go that route I will probably get 3 of them.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

sigh... so much for Atlanta......
OK,I'd take a lot of measurements(metric of course) and try 'Stens' or other suppliers website to find a complete 'spindle assembly'. You CAN'T be the only guy that has that deck, so maybe there's a 'close' cousin...say an MTD or JD or AYP unit that will work ??
If you have the number for the complete assembly.. 'google' that.. maybe another deck uses it or.... buy a pair that are real close and replace BOTH of your units. Drive pulleys may be bigger/smaller but that's just a belt change.

 

[dlsmith]

If you can or have a friend that can draw one in a CAD program, you might try Emachineshop.com. I have had them make a few parts for me over the last couple of years and they were always less than having a local job shop make them.
You can download the CAD software for free, install it and draw your part. When done you can specify the material and grade, then get a price on it.
Usually takes about a week from the time you submit the order.

 

[chim]

I would probably look for a complete generic spindle assembly and adapt it to the mower. Probably get two so they match. Might need new pulleys and blades to match. I see several online in the $30 to $50 range.

That's what I was thinking too. If haanzel and I lived closer, I'd stop by with an assembly for a Caroni deck and see if it would be useful. I have 3 Caroni decks now. Just bought another used 5 footer to replace a 5 footer I've been abusing for over 25 years. There are some parts to scavenge from the old deck that will be useful as spare parts. AgriSupply has been a great parts resource. Parts for these decks are cheap and available. Here's an example:

https://www.agrisupply.com/replacem...x178CDZj8nZSsIffIhc-KCBnvxiRMZl8aAu9MEALw_wcB

PS - I could take some measurements of a Caroni "quill assembly" if you're interested.

 

[haanzel]

If you can or have a friend that can draw one in a CAD program, you might try Emachineshop.com. I have had them make a few parts for me over the last couple of years and they were always less than having a local job shop make them.
You can download the CAD software for free, install it and draw your part. When done you can specify the material and grade, then get a price on it.
Usually takes about a week from the time you submit the order.

So this is off topic somewhat but would an app work? I have seen apps and a piece of hardware that will digitize an item. Have you or anyone had good results with that? I used CAD for a very small time years ago, it would take me longer to figure it out

Here are the specs and pics as it sits and what I have sent a couple of shops that have gotten back to me. Hopefully this is enough to get a quote of either a new one or weld on the threaded size and then use a lathe.

Spindle Shaft, Part # 70080-00094 which is now superseded by 70080-00449. Came off a Kubota finish mower model b348-7.

• metric thread pitch- 2.0
• diameter of threaded section is 14mm
• base of threaded section is 16mm, and goes for 3.5mm before moving to 14mm
• shaft is 1***8221; thick/round all the way through
• length of 1***8221; section is 181mm, does not included threaded section
• length of threaded 14mm section is 25mm (shows 24mm but it has been hammered)
• there are 2 keyways, a larger and a smaller. They are offset of each other

 

[twomany]

Restoring those threads is a "shop minimum" job for someone with a mig machine and a lathe.

Build it up, turn it to size, thread it.

Not a "while you wait" job, that would cost you more. Call it $100 pick it up next Monday ;-)

 

[chim]

Now that I got a better look, how about this?

Have the threaded end cut flush, then have that end drilled and tapped. At that point a threaded stud could be Loctited in and you're done.

 

[haanzel]

I am certainly open to putting in something that will work from another manufacturer.

And just to give you some background with pics, here is what I am working with. As I mentioned, I did get two new gear bearings. The deck is 2 holes and most of the spindles are 3 it seems, no big deal to drill though so long as it is strong.

http://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=42201

 

[haanzel]

Now that I got a better look, how about this?

Have the threaded end cut flush, then have that end drilled and tapped. At that point a threaded stud could be Loctited in and you're done.

Wow, that is a GREAT IDEA! I guess that would mean I'd have to get a drill press