Rhino RM60 replace spindle w/o getting second mortgage?

[bwinch]

Dear All:

I bought a Kubota L185 with a late '80s Rhino RM60 5' finish mower. The right spindle went out and the dealer ordered one for $220. When it arrived, it didn't fit and I'd say from looking at the current model manual that it's for the modern one. I took the spindle in to show him and everything, nameplate model number, serial number. I don't think Rhino/Alamo really cares that much, their website is no help.

I can't see paying $220 either. Has anyone come up with an alternative spindle that either fits as is or I just have to drill a few holes? I live in Southern Ohio and the local Tractor Supply Co. store is supposed to have King Kutter spindles for $70. They have a grease fitting on top and are flat across the top like the old Rhino.

There was a part number on the old Rhino part:

230AAS312550496 [maybe the "3" after AAS could be an "8"]

Also tried to take the spindle apart as it has four allen bolts but it's all press-fitted together.

Help.

 

[djradz]

Is the casing of the spindle still intact? If so, why not just rebuild it? If it can be, the only really difficult part sometimes is pressing a bearing or sleeve off of the shaft.

 

[radman1]

Most of the time, it is just the bearing that goes out and the entire unit doesn't need to be replaced. Is it just the bearing? Bearings are probably in the $30-40 range.

 

[bwinch]

djradz and radman1:

Your suggestions are good, but I'm not very familiar with press-fit bearings. I took out the four hex bolts but a protective collar or cap welded to the blade end of the shaft prevented taking the cases apart (for all I know, they spun it over the case end at the factory). I chucked the spindle in the lathe and parted the area above the collar. But the with the case halves apart, I could see no way (well, I don't have a press) to remove the bearing races. While the case halves are not damaged, the shaft is galled and not worth fixing.

Instead I've bought a sturdy-looking single piece cast iron KingKutter spindle for $69, the same overall height and with the same flat top deck mounting flange design (ask for SKU Number: 2119075 Replacement Spindle Unit; For Finish Mower at Tractor Supply or any KingKutter dealer). Sure beats the rough zinc or aluminum Rhino spindle. You do have to drill some extra holes in the deck as the KK spindle is a three bolt pattern (easier to drill two in the deck than three in the flange) but otherwise the fit is nearly perfect. The KK product is a lot beefier than the Rhino and appears to be easily rebuildable. I noticed that the KK website offers bearing and seals rebuild kits somewhere.

I returned the Rhino spindle and the dealer said that Rhino had recommended this part on the phone and yet would hit him with a restocking fee on the return. He was unhappy but refunded my purchase price in full. While I'm not going to spend time checking out parts prices for Rhino in full (except for the $75 drive belt I bought and a quote at $23 per replacement blade), I don't think I'll ever buy a Rhino product.

This turned out better than expected. I'll be replacing the other two spindles in the near future with KingKutter units as they have some play in them. The new spindle ends up with the blade about 1/4" lower than the old ones. If it ever stops raining, I'll see if that's visible on the cut grass.

Byron