WOODS RM59 Sheave(pulley) removal from mower spindle assembly

lcain · Aug 31, 2014

Hello, I hit a stump today and broke a spindle on my RM59. I need some guidance on removal of the sheave(pulley) from the spindle assembly. I've removed the two screws from the top of the spindle assembly and tried driving the spindle from the top. It has moved somewhat thru the top of the pulley, but seems to be hard to drive thru. Is there an easier way to separate the spindle shaft from the pulley? Should I try prying the 'straight bore bushing' from the pulley wheel? I don't want to bend the pulley as I'd like to salvage that.

JCByrd24 · Aug 31, 2014

You need to make a puller that bolts through the pulley at those holes and pull from there instead of the outer edge. I have a similar old mower and just had to do this as directed by the manual.

JCByrd24 · Aug 31, 2014

Mine also had to set screws underneath hold it on, not sure if those are the screws you removed already.

joecdeere · Aug 31, 2014

not sure if yours is the same as the older Woods mowers, but on them you pulled the bolts from the two holes and put them into the other two and screwed them down to push the pulley off.

lcain · Sep 1, 2014

Thanks to everyone for their reply,

I decided to hacksaw the spindle right below the pulley and was able to work on the pulley to remove the spindle on a vise. I knocked the key pin from underneath. After some work I was to punch the remainder of the spindle thru and salvage all the parts. I'll try calling a local shop to see if they have a Woods part number 23903 complete spindle in stock. The cheapest I could find plus shipping was at greenvillesaw.com for 136 + 22 shipping...If anyone knows of a cheaper place to get one, let me know...

thanks again

RickB · Sep 1, 2014

joecdeere said:
not sure if yours is the same as the older Woods mowers, but on them you pulled the bolts from the two holes and put them into the other two and screwed them down to push the pulley off.

An RM59 easily qualifies as an "older Woods mower".
Called a taper lock, Woods was very fond of this expensive but easy to remove(relatively speaking) pulley style.

beagledogxxx · Jun 21, 2015

I realize it's a little late but, for those with this trouble in the future, using the two cap screws reinserted into the two vacant holes works like a charm if you use some penetrating fluid and take your time. Little turns at a time and the occasional tap on the shaft with a ball peen hammer and that little Allen wrench will muscle that cap right off.