Mower Deck Gearbox Replacement - Walker MS (13 HP) Owner's Manual

Maintenance Instructions
Examine ends of the blade carefully, especially the
intersection where the flat section of the blade turns
up to form the "wing tip" (refer to Mower Blade Pro-
file for Sharpening illustration in Sharpen Mower
Blades instructions). Since sand and abrasive ma-
terial can wear metal away in this area, the blade
should be replaced when metal thickness has
worn to 1/16 in. (1.6 mm) or less.
When blades are operated over sandy soil,
and if blades are allowed to wear, a "slot"
may be worn into the wing tip of blade.
Eventually a piece of the blade may break
off creating a serious potential for injury or
damage.
Check the blades for straightness by marking
blade tip position inside the deck housing and then ro-
tating the opposite end of the blade to the same po-
sition and comparing. If the difference in blade tip
track is more than 1/8 in. (3 mm), the blade is bent
and should be replaced.
Inspect the blade surface, especially in formed ar-
eas, for cracks. Replace the blade if any cracks are
found.
DO NOT try to straighten a blade that is
bent. NEVER weld a broken or cracked
blade. ALWAYS replace with a new blade
to assure safety.
Reinstall the blades following procedure from Sharp-
en Mower Blades instructions. If blades are re-
placed, always use Walker original equipment
blades to ensure safety and optimum performance.
The quality and performance of replacement blades
offered by other manufacturers cannot be guar-
anteed, they could be dangerous.
ALWAYS use genuine factory replacement
parts. Substitute parts CAN result in prod-
uct malfunction and possible injury to the
operator.
62
DANGER
WARNING
CAUTION
REPLACING/REPAIRING

Mower Deck Gearbox Replacement

NOTE: Deck gearbox(es) may be changed with the
deck mounted on the tractor. However, the deck may
be removed from the tractor making the overall job of
removing the gearbox assembly easier. Refer to
Deck Installation in Assembly Instructions and re-
verse the procedure to remove the deck.
To replace the mower deck gearbox(es), use the fol-
lowing procedure:
1. Remove mower blades. Refer to procedure in
Sharpen Mower Blades instructions.
2. Remove gearbox cover (two machine screws)
and PTO shaft guard (two 1/4-20 bolts).
3. Remove two (2) 3/8-16 mounting bolts from each
blade drive gearbox and lift the entire gearbox
assembly from the deck (including PTO drive
shaft).
4. Remove the screws securing the cover plates on
the gearboxes and remove the covers. Remove
all covers to be sure oil is completely drained
from all gearboxes.
NOTE: With oil flow throughout the unitized gear
drive assembly; if one gearbox has internal dam-
age or excessive wear, the remaining gearboxes
and connector tubes should be completely dis-
assembled and thoroughly flushed out with sol-
vent before reassembly.
5. Drain and properly dispose of oil.
6. Remove the four (4) bolts mounting the gearbox
to the connector tube and slide the gearbox off
the splined drive shaft coupling.
7. Install the new gearbox on the spline coupling of
the drive shaft. Establish correct timing of the
blade drive gearboxes by setting flats on the out-
put shaft at 90 degrees when connecting the
gearbox(es) to the spline coupling. Make sure
the timing is correct before proceeding with as-
sembly.
8. Reinstall the four (4) bolts mounting the gearbox
to the connector tube but do not tighten them
at this time; leave connector tube bolts finger-
tight.