Heavy duty Mandrel Anyone??

[dart451]

I'm looking for some heavy duty mandrels for a Craftsman tractor, 917.287450. I have used heavy duty 3-point mandrels that don't break easy but I can't seem to find 4-point mandrels which would match part #187292. Anyone know if they make heavy duty 4-point? If so...part number?

[bgsengine]

Simple: tell the customer to stop hitting things in the yard with the blades.

Far as I can tell Oregon does not yet make a HD version of the spindle in aftermarket - Husqvarna only makes the one cheap version. So much for "the Best Engineered Deck In The Industry" Heh.

spindle usually breaks due to:
1) Hit something with blade
2) High-Centered the spindle on something
3) Excessive Vibration (Blades out of balance, worn out or damaged suspension, idler brackets, idler pulleys, belts, and even a damaged or bent crank pulley)
4) Warped Deck

Any or all of the above due to customer abuse/neglect which , will happen again even with a HD spindle until the owner changes their freakin' habits and gets any other issues fixed completely.

[dart451]

Thank you bgsengine! I didn't know if they made them or not and I know you would know if they did! Appreciate your help!

[Arkie]

Noticed this heavy duty 4 point spindle (mandrel) from craftsman at this link awhile back.
http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-mand ... 133113000P

I would have to agree with bsengine that if a heavy duty spindle (mandrel) is A REQUIREMENT for a customer to replace standard spindles I would be reluctant to work on their equipment due to the operator being too abusive to the equipment.

[Mek-a-nik]

Nice link, Arkie.
I have 2 customers with Craftsman (AYP) tractors who refuse to "take it easy".
One called me when it "didn't cut right". I replaced all of the bent piece's , but he must've twisted the deck. -The blade tips would not line up. He swore he didn't hit anything. Yeah, ok. He doesn't have a son to blame, but he must know someone who "did" it? He later "fixed" it by not checking the oil and removing the rod from the crank.
On the other, I can see the bend in the deck where it whacked something hard. He never hit anything, either.
A 3rd, with a MTD Bolens, insists on using it as a road grader (I guess). I just replaced the deck on that one.
As far as not working on them, why not? I explain to them that they are designed to cut grass, and aren't of commercial strength. If they insist, I'll keep fixing them. $$$
Some of the bigger AYP decks and all of the John Deere's (that I have seen) are made of heavier gauge steel. I guess when those get hit, something else bends?
People complain about the thinner decks, but when I tell them to take it easy or buy something stronger, they resist.

[bgsengine]

As far as not working on them, why not? I explain to them that they are designed to cut grass, and aren't of commercial strength. If they insist, I'll keep fixing them. $$$

Double edged sword. Idiots like that NEVER do anything wrong, so it is ALWAYS someone else's fault .. so if they keep busting stuff and then they get tired of paying, they start telling everybody else that you been ripping them off or incompetent or useless, etc - all kinds of excuses except "I Beat The Hell out of my machine and paid for it"

Customers like that, we do NOT need.

[Mek-a-nik]

I hear ya, BGS. "You can't have everything; where would you keep it"? -Comedian Stephen Wright.
I'd like to think I'm satisfying all of my customers. I always tell them to call me with any issues. Even people who are prone to complain about service people, businesses, etc. are hard pressed to bitch when you smother them with good service. I might lose on one job, but I make it up on word of mouth.

The guy I mentioned above with the new MTD deck called me yesterday. He ripped out the front hanger (yoke?) bending it. The right side hanger was missing the clip and the hanger was out, the left side pulley guard/belt guide was bent up and the belt was smoked. He made it about two months.
I suggested to him again today, when I was over there fixing it again, that he might want to do a little landscaping to smooth out his lawn. He agrees, but I'll bet he doesn't do it.