HOW-TO Fix A Badly Damaged Troy-Bilt MTD CUB CADET Riding Mower Deck With Donyboy73

[@donyboy73]

What's the worst deck you've ever worked on?

[@andrewdickson9964]

Once again great job. You have alot of mowers in your yard do you ever feel overwhelmed. I have 3 jobs on the go waiting on parts is the worst 😫

[@theamerican7080]

The Honda 38/13 lawn tractor from the 80s had very robust cutting decks, but the steel did not match the quality of the rest of the machine. They would literally dissolve. Keeping the top of the deck not only clean, but dry was critical because there is an area where about a half inch of water just sits and doesn't drain away. The tractors are incredible (I have 2 but only one good deck) and many are still in service today, but only those with good cutting decks.

[@donyboy73]

@@andrewdickson9964 It can at times, I had 12 riding mowers in at one point, I'm down to 4 now!

[@kerryredwolf7432]

Cub cadet 2135, I must have spent about ten hours on it. Weld repairs, pulleys and spindles. A real piece of junk 😊

[@marcmyers1465]

Allot of Factory Riders come with High Lift blades. In areas with high silicate soils it would just continually sand blast everything under the deck. No Amount of undercoating can keep up with that, but switching to mulching blades seriously improved the issues... 😉👍

[@robcole332]

What a professional and knowledgeable man. Watching you take such pride in your work and care for your customers is so inspiring. You are one of a very few techs with so much skill. Love your videos Dony.

[@FreedomRock44]

Heck of a Job Dony!!!!!! It is always Beer O'Clock somewhere!!!!!!! Enjoy a Cold for us!

[@ldaly4621]

Very clear from start to finish. Great repair job and I'm looking forward to watching more clips.

[@gabelanger]

The best motivator is always BEER , Great job on the deck Dony and your right about having a welder in your shop.

[@MrGaryGG48]

Good job Dony. This is the first of your videos I've watched and you're straight to the point and describe your plan very clearly. I like your idea about "incentive" by the case. Where I live, I've explained to friend who asked to get a field mowed, that Lagunitas IPA is legal tender where we live! It's always good for a laugh and little "lubricant." You can add a new subscriber to your list. That was 15 minutes well spent. Thanks

[@donyboy73]

@@MrGaryGG48 haha Yes! Welcome to my channel!

[@marcmyers1465]

I get my best Agricultural advice leaning against the fence with an Iced Cooler full of Beer in the Heat of high sun. Even Farmers take a break when they see a Sweating can ! 😁👍

[@danewert2306]

I have a lawn maintenance business. On my deck of my Zero turn mower a main bracket broke. It was still under warranty. So I took it back to the deal. They welded it supposedly.... It broke again the next day so I rewelded it myself. So yes it is very good to have a welder in the shop. Thanks your videos are very good 👍 Poppys Services.

[@tomg721]

Nice repair Dony. You earned yourself a cold one.

[@truracer20]

Other than non stop cleaning my craftsman version of this deck is holding up great. I bought it in February 2017 and just changed the original deck belt last Sunday. Both deck idlers are still perfectly quiet and smooth. Both spindles do need new bearings, they aren't terrible yet but feel rough. Otherwise the mower is great, it has tubes in 3 tires due to dry rot, I had to replace the drive belt and idler in 2020 because the idler failed. Otherwise it's routine maintenance.

[@BobHerres]

The way you fixed the pulley and restored its integrity is absolutely remarkable. There aren't many technicians with the skill and experience to make such a challenging repair look as easy as you just did! 💗 Wow!! Very Well done! I picked up a lot of tips, and I do own a welder... I also know enough to not to try anything like this myself 😁

[@fixinanddoinstuff2134]

One of the few channels that I hit the like button first. You never disappoint and you are a fellow sw ontario resident 👍

[@PapaMav]

Agree with your take on the customer.

[@ChuckD59]

I feel like I'm watching a real pro. Thanks again, dony.

[@krakrtreacysr907]

You are. This Man knows his stuff

[@brucenicov1224]

Great job Don!! The little incentive just shows the appreciation your customer had for your work. That’s definitely a diamond in that day for you.

[@donyboy73]

Well said!

[@bobmcl2406]

Nice to see that personal touch (and reaction). I had a neighbour bring me a JD 100-series that was throwing the deck belt. When I got the deck off, one of the pulleys was sitting at a 30 degree angle to the belt path. No wonder it was coming off! That pulley was on an arm made of at least 1/8 inch steel, which was really bent. I have no idea how he did it. It would have required something to have come in like a spear, between the top of the deck and the chassis! Anyway, I got out my "blacksmith tools" and redressed the arm. I had to look up the part online to have some idea what shape I was aiming for. At least the belt was not damaged..... Cheers from Carp, near Ottawa.

[@Paul1958R]

Don, I had a crack in the mower deck of my 1996 Craftsman 42 inch lawn tractor (that I bought new in 1996, completely rebuilt during covid in 2020) where one of the spindles mounted causing the spindle/blade to spin at a slight angle. I completely disassembled the deck and realigned the metal. I dont have a welder but there is a local shop that does quality welding so I brought the deck to him and he welded it up just as you did. I reassembled and Im back in business. Pail (in MA USA)

[@drkwlsk]

I bought one of the welders you recommended and I love it. It's the stick, mig, mig w/gas and TIG. Thanks for your professionalism and enjoy those beers!

[@frankzemberi4322]

You the best in my opinion. Frank

[@Smalltechguy]

Another great video Don, I go through these quite often, but I never did learn how to weld. I always have to take the decks to a shop, unless one of my friends are available to help me out. A lot of times I get decks that the owners have shifted the anti scalp wheels to the highest setting. I try to educate them in the purpose of being at the correct height. I have a craftsman now picked up yesterday that has a drive belt that had broken. It was way down in the back of his yard, so my winch did me no good. The bottom of the deck was horrible and you can't replace the broken blades unless you get all the mud out from under them.

[@alang.4570]

I owned a White Outdoor Products 48" lawn tractor (made by MTD) years ago, and it was a struggle removing the deck for either repair or maintenance. The one thing I dreaded most was having to remove the rear heavy-duty deck tension spring. It was easier to remove than put back on again. I'm glad I don't have to deal with that anymore.

[@tomoliver8410]

Nice Job donyboy,Enjoy your beer!

[@fredscheerle7592]

Great Job Donny, Have similar Pony mower Had Deck issues, the most debilitating has be the Sheared steering Frame support From Repeated Roll overs and Flipping, I Have strengthen the area with 6x50mm flat bar but after the last roll over i can no longer get it into Park Gear Select I've tried adjusting those Linkages, I'm thinking I'm going to have to pull the hole area apart and reattach the thge brackets behind the Left hand side Clutch Pedal And other side as well!

[@don1857]

I did this same job last summer for a friend on a Cub Cadet. The deck was so weakened I had to weld steel plates on the opposite side just to re-enforce the rusted stamped metal surface. So far it has lasted through last summer and up until now this year. Yes a cold case of Coors was also involved!

[@williamwelch7]

Thanks Dony. Quite an interesting repair, and video.

[@mikespain8655]

A welder and knowing how to make good welds that hold are a must if you are in the small engine repair business. My welds aren't pretty, but I have never had a come back from weld not holding.

[@matthewwearsch242]

HELL YEAH 👍 I LIKE THE EXTRA INCENTIVE AND AS USUAL A SOLID REPAIR

[@johnmaranuk1842]

Absolutely love your videos. Great work, good sir! Cheers from Pennsylvania

[@mrclaus859]

Thanks for posting Dony

[@matthewinga9546]

I have a similar MTD (Craftsman). When returning the deck @ (12:18) , instead of using a wire to hold up the deck hanger, I hook up the hanger to the last hole (far right) slide it in and then remember to put the hanger rod back on the correct hole. Mine is the first hole on the left.

[@donyboy73]

sometimes I do that and sometimes rod falls out

[@frankie7508]

I've seen a lot of small tractor and lawnmower repairs by welding decks. Almost all of them are done absolutely deplorable! But, Don demonstrates how it is done correctly. And as an engineer, I can tell you assuredly that he's one of the very few really great small engine and lawn mower repair mechanics That I consistently watch because he always does it RIGHT. About the only recommendation I'd make is that He should have applied a coating of primer on the bare, white metal before applying the top coat of paint. And of course 2 top coats of paint is far better for corrosion protection Compared to only one top coat of paint without primer. Absolutely fantastic repair Don, great job! 👍👍👍

[@truracer20]

I assure you this paint job stuck far better than the original powder coat did. There must not be any prep work done before powder coat at MTD. Often deck welding repairs are done on severely rusted decks, I've seen professional welders struggle repairing them, this deck was in good condition as stated in the video.

[@hickorystx]

So very interesting to view along with your detailed explanations and rationales! Thank you for such quality productions!! 🤩

[@punchion]

Another well thought out repair. Good job!

[@donvoll2580]

G day Don Yes a cold beer these days is a welcome sight. Boy between rain & heat. Ths good video

[@donyboy73]

I'll have one for you later today!

[@donvoll2580]

@@donyboy73 Make sure it is in fridge Boy it seems hot this yr. Ths

[@kelvinpen3144]

Awesome video as always Yes those bars are pain I always forget to tie them up Good reminder 👍I have a Craftman LT 1000

[@briankemp5206]

Nice repair!

[@JimFixIt74]

Nice job Don. Another great video. Bringing beer is always a plus 👍

[@markdevine929]

Nice fix Dony

[@gordsmith7708]

Great job man ! Cheers 🍻

[@Randi-k3f]

Dony, I have a gasless welder that I use and it does an ok job!

[@mikejerrett7354]

Great repair you made that look easy 😊

[@REDBIRD-95]

That's a lot of damage for a fairly newish looking deck😲 The deck on my old 1998 Craftsman 42" is pretty easy to remove. I replaced the blade brakes last year and the deck belt. Have a great weekend Don👍

[@brianmcconnell7988]

another great video Dony !

[@bobbyscott8024]

Hey Dony, that was a good looking weld, my friend! Great fix!

[@donyboy73]

Thank you sir!

[@garyalensr]

I love the fact that you are so meticulous when you do a repair. Great fix Don. What on earth did he do to cause that pully to break and go through the deck like it did?

[@JoeyOneill-vn9zi]

Great job again very tidy welding enjoy your beer well deserved

[@Pinion512]

Excellent repair! It's really a shame that MTD uses such thin material for their decks. But then again, I guess they're keeping us repair guys with stuff to do.

[@KRAMPUS_G60_16V]

Great work. I really enjoy your videos. 🙂

[@mr1pearl]

You want to hang on to that customer 🍺 For sure the strongest part of the rider now 💪

[@JonWawrzynski]

Nice job! Great video!

[@jackcollege9037]

Very nice job, you help me out once and I really appreciate it

[@BearE9090]

Great idea to weld a washer on the gard where the end broke off. Can't go wrong with a 30-pack of beer. Great job.

[@dodgeguy999]

Awesome Repair, I'm just starting out myself. Your really patience and very articulate in your presentation. A whole lot of great idea's Thank you .Wonder what caused the idler bracket to fail? The idler looked to be in good shape .

[@donyboy73]

I believe a factory defect weld

[@mnlew7156]

👍👍 my prefer incentives is my wife's egg rolls or an Aston corona 😊 well done. Back in the a Sears Craftsman gt5000 out at the cabin...

[@beegekhaos3171]

I love that he gave you incentive lmao

[@jerryq1000]

Nice work.

[@JoeTorresSr]

Like the beer 🍺 part 😂but good work looking good 👍

[@JCcanU]

I have worked on about five 30 year old MTD decks welding up the cracks and broken Spindle holes and using the flange for the spindle to deck give extra support . Im for the Poor I try to help old people on 700 a month income .

[@michaelotoole1807]

nice welds donnyboy!

[@TODinWY]

Smart customer. He brought you the right light beer.😆

[@rk22cc]

No Bud

[@kriswright1022]

My question is, what happened to rip that pulley off in the first place! Your repair was spot on!

[@reginabivona1282]

Nicely Done!!!!

[@hosocat1410]

Great work! I have that same mower but its a cradtsman. It has that horrible nikki carb i just cant get to run right. Useable but very annoying and difficult to mow with.

[@samuelandrade9246]

Nice job!

[@andrewsteele7663]

Thanks Don, excellent tutorial, and I wished my welding was as good as yours. Cheers

[@Francisco-sx7th]

Great job. It's ready for some more years of use. Cheers!

[@gregmanion4650]

Awesome fix! Cheers

[@justinrobertson1590]

Good job!

[@aunttriciaattic]

Thanks for the video. I have a bronco just like the one you have.All I hear is a clicking.Before this started I had a gas leak and I couldn’t figure out where the gas was coming from but I think it’s coming from the carburetor. So yes it’s coming from the carburetor I moved it across the yard it was leaking out from the bottom of the carburetor really fast. I really don’t want to Change the carburetor never did that before

[@thomastieffenbacherdocsava1549]

Donyboy, stopped when I saw this as I have to replace pullies on my Poulan Pro tractor. Sometimes I think I've spent more time working on it than using it.

[@WherestheKaboom-g2p]

Eastbound & down. There's beer in Texarkana. Long way to go and a short time to get there.

[@philshock3805]

Great repair as usual, Don! An eventual deck repair is one of the reasons I'd like to learn how to weld. It seems strange that no washers are used between the frame and retaining clips. (My JD has washers) I suppose it's fine without but seems like it would put additional wear/stress on the clips.

[@rcf8367]

Excellent job, now go drink one of those Coors beer! Good on you for also welding up the bottom cracks! They don’t weld the deck structures nor the stamped front axles properly like they used to.

[@barrypettit3668]

Another great job by the master. After watching all your lawn tractor videos i am afraid to buy one.

[@arciefan]

Excellent video. I wish you had one on a poulan pro 42" deck that is cutting uneven😀

[@richardchayer6597]

I have been lucky as a small engine mechanic in Utah because I never see rusted out decks and only do 5-9 spindles a year.

[@theamerican7080]

A fine repair!

[@tomfillmore9710]

Good job buddy nice fix have a great weekend

[@RaleysSmallEngines]

Great video Don

[@darwindropmazda]

Great job as always 👍🏾

[@YukonHawk1]

Coors light? Should have been Labatts😅😅😅😅😅😅 Just kidding. Nice to know the customer appreciated your time and effort.

[@rameshpersaud7131]

Good job

[@georgepruitt637]

Good video.

[@HARRUMPH-SAL]

Hey Dony, what makes you work faster... the beer or the rain starting?!!

[@donyboy73]

Both!

[@angelmarrero9560]

Beautifull dony thanks

[@alanross3435]

db, you are the master! …..do you have any employees? If you do, I hope they realize how fortunate they are 👍🏻! ☮✌🏻

[@jesterr7133]

When I am working with this particular set up I will just put the bar through the support Bracket And it holds them up high enough for you can get the deck under it

[@jakeschisler7525]

That's the trouble with a stamped deck. I had one on a craftsmen lawn tractor and it was a low profile type and it was easier to remove the deck for cleaning. Now the mowers I've had are welded decks

[@Billej1965]

Thanks !

[@kencurtis228]

TY for Sharing

[@gordbaker896]

Great Fix Dony. I cannot use a welder due to a Pacemaker. Can't even charge my phone in the vehicle due to Magnetic Field which can change settings of the Pacemaker. Beware the 'Lite' beer...

[@donyboy73]

Sorry to hear that

[@johngrossbohlin7582]

This reminds me of my working as a mechanic (the term for the times) in a bicycle shop in the '70s and '80s. The department store bicycles' quality was abysmal and I vowed I'd never put my future kids on one as they were dangerous... inadequate brakes, frame failures, no or horrible bearings in components, terrible wheels, terrible training wheels on children's bikes, etc.. This mower is the equivalent of those bicycles! In regards of mower decks. The worst was a Cub Cadet Z50's stamped deck... many broken spindles, bearing failures in pulleys and the deck would often bend and even tear when a spindle broke. Compared to the '70s vintage Gravely's welded deck with slip clutch spindles and drive shaft pto, it was absolute crap! The '60s vintage Simplicity tractor's deck was in between. Now I've got a Ferris walk behind with a welded deck.... very nice but without the slip clutches it's not quite as refined as the Gravely deck. It's more than adequate however for mowing lawns... the Gravely was better for mowing the grass and brush on the larger rural property of my youth.

[@jtb52]

My yard man in France looks just like this

[@UhBuddy1976]

Suggestion on deck support bars that may be easier. Instead of using twist ties, hook deck bars to rear deck height adjuster bars and raise height adjuster to top position. Much faster and you don’t need ties.

[@Jamwcjconn]

Great video

[@Randi-k3f]

WOW Dony, what a mess!

[@tomessary4099]

FABULOUS!!!!

[@ryguy57106]

Hey Donny , I got a friend whose lawnmower stalls under a load. He put a new carburetor to new fuel pumps and electric feel pump. Any ideas thank you.

[@adnacraigo6590]

You have become quite the welder.

[@xmanb8193]

👍👍👍👍👍I work for beer LOL nice job

[@donyboy73]

Right on

[@RaysLaughsAndLyrics]

Always take the initiative to tip the service folks who make the effort to make your life better.👍

[@donyboy73]

It goes a long way for the customer!

[@marcmyers1465]

One Thoughtful Customer can help to make up for a few of the More Tedious Folk ! 😌

[@toolinhand]

Nice! You just saved that guy from buying a new deck (about $800)!

[@DaveBennett]

Very nice repair. How did this even happen, though? What a lot of damage to the deck.

[@donyboy73]

I think factory defect.