any toro groundsmaster fans on here?

[Asymair95]

I called the toro dealer to see about getting a new side skid, they wanted $180...so I decided to fix the old one.





Someone really smashed into something to do this to 1/8” thick steel.







Used a press to straighten everything out the best I could.



Once it was all straight, took it outside for some welding.

 

[Asymair95]

I also asked the toro dealer about new baffling for the underside of the deck. They quoted me $365 for one...and there are three of them! Looks like I have some more welding and repairs to do on them as well.



Had some good news with the blades. They looked awful, but after some wire wheeling and sharpening I think they’ll be just fine. These are genuine Toro blades also, not the cheap Stens junk.



There were several areas of rot on the front lip of the deck like this. Most were the size of a dime or less.



I used a copper spoon from the rear and filled everything in with weld instead of doing a scab patch. Just quicker and more effective .

All that is left now is repairing the cracks in the baffling, and welding in the side skid bolts. Then it’s time for paint, unless I mess with the spindles first, will see.

 

[Xfaxman]

Looking good :thumbsup:.

I got lucky and found a new side skid on eBay for mine.

 

[Asymair95]

Finished up the welding today.




The baffling had lots of cracks, and bent edges. Welded everything up, and bent things back into shape with a huge pair of pliers.



I welded the side skid mounting bolts in because they are difficult to access with the baffling installed.

Next phase is paint prep, and painting.

 

[Asymair95]

Got some painting done on the deck with the por 15 epoxy paint on the bottom of the deck and the baffles. I wiped everything down with mineral spirits first, then wiped down everything again with acetone. This process has worked well for me in the past, and I have had no issues with paint peeling off.





Next I will paint over everything with rustoleum rusty metal primer, then follow up with rustoleum red.

 

[nas90tdi]

Nice job. I really hate rust, so enjoy seeing people kill it.

 

[Asymair95]

Applied a coat of rustoleum rusty metal primer today.

 

[Asymair95]

Made four good castors from my parts stash.






The rear tires will be the same size as the front on this one. I was missing one rear tire, and the other one was completely destroyed from no grease. New rear tires are $60 a piece, but I had several 10” tires in my stash with good bearings and such. Out of the four, two need new through bolts, and center bushings.

I’m also missing the big black plastic knob that screws on top of the castor to retain it. I have one, but the other three did not come with the mower. The knobs are $30 a piece, but I’m wondering if I can use clip pins in the rear castors because they have a through hole on top. That would save me $60, and since they don’t even turn, seems like it wouldn’t be a big deal.

Another expense is going to be buying all the castor spacers for the rear castors. They cost twice as much as the front castor spacers, and I need 12 of them at $4 each. I know I could cut a piece of pipe or something to length, but my OCD would get the best of me...lol.

 

[Asymair95]

Got some more painting done today.



Used an old can of rustoleum green on the bottom of the deck. Will do the top in red.



Hit the other parts of the deck with a spray can.



The spindles were wire wheeled off and cleaned up to get ready for disassembly. Only going to replace bearings in two of them though. The other one is nice and tight still.

 

[Asymair95]

Couldn’t contain myself and started tearing the spindles down.



Removed the grease fitting and the 1 7/16” nut on top. I’m glad this wasn’t rusted on too bad, because I didn’t have a socket big enough.



Pulley removed, no hydraulic press required...must have got lucky.



Up close view of the spindle shaft and grease seal.



Spindle housing lifts off the spindle shaft...again, no press required.