Cheap Mower Wheels

CHDinCT · Nov 29, 2010

I was in my local hardware store last weekend and came across a decent selection of galvanized pipe. I had been thinking of a way to make axles and wheels for my 54" MMM so I can stand it up for winter storage in my shed. Gettin' tight in there as I add attachments, etc.

Anyway, they sell 8" and 10" threaded pipe in different diameters along with round flanges normally used to bolt or screw down the pipe to a header or base I guess. The pipe is sold in inside diameter sizes and the 3/4" pipe finished a little over an inch for the OD (I know because I tried using it and it would not fit in the 1" diameter holes where the anti-scalp roller axle fits.) 1/2" pipe finishes about 7/8" for the OD, so I used 10" sections of 1/2" pipe threaded on either end and two 4" flanges that screw on and came up with this for a mower axle. They only had two flanges in this size so I'll go back later this week to get the other two to make the second axle. I tried standing up the deck and rolling it in my garage and it works pretty good. I will add some grease to help it turn in the axle housing. Anyway, thought I'd pass this on for others to try or improve on.

Evil the Weasel · Nov 29, 2010

The problem with this method is you can't pin the pipe because the whole assembly needs to roll as opposed to just the "wheels". Hopefully the flanges do not unscrew themselves either. When you go to stand this up the mower will be able to slide 10" back and forth on the pipe which may or may not be an issue.

SandburRanch · Nov 29, 2010

That's a neat idea.

handirifle · Nov 29, 2010

Pardon my ignorance, and I've seen it before, but what is an "MMM"?

danktx · Nov 29, 2010

Handrifle, MMM is a mid-mount mower, a mower that mounts between the axles of the tractor.

RoMad · Nov 29, 2010

It looks like a pretty good idea for what you are doing. You could buy a piece of thin pipe that will slide over the existing pipe, cut in two pieces and put one on each side for spacers. Then your "wheels" will not wander back and forth when you are pushing it .
What I usually do when I start running out of room is add on to my shed :laughing:

CHDinCT · Nov 30, 2010

Evil the Weasel said:
The problem with this method is you can't pin the pipe because the whole assembly needs to roll as opposed to just the "wheels". Hopefully the flanges do not unscrew themselves either. When you go to stand this up the mower will be able to slide 10" back and forth on the pipe which may or may not be an issue.

Not sure I follow. In my brief trial in the garage, the pipe turned and wheels turned - or maybe you are saying the pipe shouldn't and only the wheels should turn. The flanges are on pretty tight and I don't think they'll unscrew very easily. I really don't plan on moving it around much.

I like the idea of spacers to keep the deck centered. Might see what I have around the house for PVC pipe. That's what I mean on improvements. Forgot to mention this will run me around $10 per axle. I like those axles Larry sells, but just couldn't justify the cost just to store the deck vertically. When I do put it away, I will secure the top edge to my shed wall just in case.

asylum575 · Nov 30, 2010

I have found that having a couple patio blocks to give me 3" or so inches in height is all I need at the base of a cheap handtruck.
I can then lift the MMM upright and secure it to the handtruck with bungees.
No hassle of swapping out pins and wheels and I happened to have an extra hand truck.

Tom_H · Nov 30, 2010

For those who may not be aware, Larry at Carrera,Cayman,BMW,Tow Hook License Plate,John Deere,Kubota (that's moweraxle dot com: scroll down the page to Mower Deck Stands) has been making and selling these for several years. The photos note "patent pending". Making them for yourself should not be a problem, but selling to others commercially would. I bought a set from Larry and they save space. Larry's are smooth solid brass which causes much less friction than galvanized pipe. A lot of rolling the unit around on galvanized pipe could create a little wear in the wheel mount and more wear inside the wheel, especially if you don't lube on some axle grease.

Larry also sells bearing inserts for MMM wheels that extend their lives significantly.

SandburRanch · Nov 30, 2010

CHDinCT said:
Not sure I follow. In my brief trial in the garage, the pipe turned and wheels turned - or maybe you are saying the pipe shouldn't and only the wheels should turn. The flanges are on pretty tight and I don't think they'll unscrew very easily. I really don't plan on moving it around much.

I like the idea of spacers to keep the deck centered. Might see what I have around the house for PVC pipe. That's what I mean on improvements. Forgot to mention this will run me around $10 per axle. I like those axles Larry sells, but just couldn't justify the cost just to store the deck vertically. When I do put it away, I will secure the top edge to my shed wall just in case.

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For anything under turnpike speed it'll be just fine like it is. But if you want to solve the axle movement problem, grind a couple grooves opposite each other with a dremel cut off tool etc. and install a wire spring clip in the notches. And please hold the speed down to a dull roar so no citations have to be issued.:laughing: