Pleasant surprise at the local Deere parts department

mcfarmall · Mar 5, 2018

So last summer the deck on the 260 was noisy so I decided to pull it off for the winter and go through it. The blade spindle bearings had been replaced about 6 years ago and the mower only sees about 10 hours of use each year. Checked the blade spindles and they turned free and smooth but the flat back idlers and the main drive idler/tensioner were rough and noisy. There were 2 thin plastic headed bushings on the deck belt idler that needed replacing as well. Deere used the same bearings on the drive idler/tensioner as on the blade spindles (204RR AG) which I thought was a smart move on their part.

I checked the parts on-line (Phoenix Pulleys Bearings & Belts) and at Motion Industries. Off I go to the dealer and learned that the bearings were $2 less apiece (score) and the flat back idlers were $3 more apiece than at Phoenix (score also when you figure it would have cost > $10 for shipping). The plastic bushings I considered to be a specialty item that I'd buy from the dealer anyway so I didn't price them out elsewhere.

Here's the biggest surprise of all....EVERYTHING WAS IN STOCK! I walked out with all the stuff to do the job...amazing in this day and age.

Typically the answer is, "Yeah we have those in the Chicago distribution center and can have them here on Wednesday."

s219 · Mar 10, 2018

Deere has always been real good about parts in my experience.

flingwing1969 · Mar 10, 2018

s219 said:
Deere has always been real good about parts in my experience.

Agreed on that. Their parts people are also very knowledgeable and helpful. You were pretty lucking on the prices though. The only thing I usually hate about visiting the Green and Yellow is the checkout.

Richard001 · Mar 10, 2018

flingwing1969 said:
Agreed on that. Their parts people are also very knowledgeable and helpful. You were pretty lucking on the prices though. The only thing I usually hate about visiting the Green and Yellow is the checkout.

I agree, most of the time when I go to the Deere place for parts, they have it. Sometimes they will give you the wrong part.

But in any case, they must think that the parts are gold plated because of the price they charge.

Richard