This instructable will show you how to repair a sagging push lawnmower wheel. The example is my lawn mower I've had for years and with regular maintenance the engine is still in great running condition so I don't want to just go out and buy a new one.
The deck has started to degrade and the wheels are supported by the sides where it's the weakest.
The deck has started to degrade and the wheels are supported by the sides where it's the weakest.
Step 1: Things you'll need.
You can do just one, but since I was doing it I did all four.
Materials you'll need:
4 Brackets 2" x 2" x 1/4" angle x 3 1/2
(I got these at my local fabrication place and the cut them and cleaned them up for me)
8 bolts 1/4-20 x 3/4" (I replaced what old hardware I could)
8 nuts 1/4-20
8 washers 1/4 size i/d
Tools you'll need:
Drill
Drill bits
Hammer
Spanners (open/closed end wrenches)
Ratcheting wrench & sockets
Wire brush
Materials you'll need:
4 Brackets 2" x 2" x 1/4" angle x 3 1/2
(I got these at my local fabrication place and the cut them and cleaned them up for me)
8 bolts 1/4-20 x 3/4" (I replaced what old hardware I could)
8 nuts 1/4-20
8 washers 1/4 size i/d
Tools you'll need:
Drill
Drill bits
Hammer
Spanners (open/closed end wrenches)
Ratcheting wrench & sockets
Wire brush
Step 2: Dissasembly
If the deck is too far gone, this isn't for you.
But if you're deck is in decent shape than you can go ahead if you feel ambitious.
*Also I didn't move the deck from the engine, It would have made this process easier*
Using the wire brush clean all the grass and rusted bits away so you can get your sockets on the bolts and the bracket will fit into the inside of the deck.
Take apart the wheel assembly and keep in the same order.
Remove the handle and handle bracket.
But if you're deck is in decent shape than you can go ahead if you feel ambitious.
*Also I didn't move the deck from the engine, It would have made this process easier*
Using the wire brush clean all the grass and rusted bits away so you can get your sockets on the bolts and the bracket will fit into the inside of the deck.
Take apart the wheel assembly and keep in the same order.
Remove the handle and handle bracket.
Step 3: Making and mounting the bracket
Place the blank stock up into the inside of the deck and mark the holes where the handle bracket attached to the deck.
Drill out the top holes.
Mount the bracket to the deck.
Tap / reshape the side of the deck to it is flush with the bracket and perpendicular to the top of the deck.
Mark the holes for the wheel support and height positioning plates tab.
Remove the bracket.
Drill out the holes for the wheel support and height positioning plates tab.
Reassemble the bracket onto the deck and tighten everything down.
Drill out the top holes.
Mount the bracket to the deck.
Tap / reshape the side of the deck to it is flush with the bracket and perpendicular to the top of the deck.
Mark the holes for the wheel support and height positioning plates tab.
Remove the bracket.
Drill out the holes for the wheel support and height positioning plates tab.
Reassemble the bracket onto the deck and tighten everything down.
Step 4:
As you can see from the two images from the back the wheel is nice and straight again and hopefully will stay this way for another 7 years.
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I have done things similar to this, usually for other people to help them out. Then they buy a new mower within a season, regardless, and make me wonder why I bothered.
1) Someone requesting my time and talent so they can save money.
2) A gift
I am cautious with requests especially if I think the other is simply spending my time, which I value, to save their money. I often don't get enough joy from doing the task at the expense of other tasks to just give my time and talent away to save someone else's money. I just turned down an "opportunity" to help with a remodel for beer. 1st I don't drink beer, 2nd I had just met this person, and 3rd I have other things I need to do. I often find I can figure out how much they value my time if they get pushy and I mention a price, even if it is for material and expendables. They tend to go look else where.
A gift is something I choose to give without any second thoughts. Since I gave it away it is no longer mine and what they choose to do with it isn't my concern. Though it may influence what I choose to give in the future.
I reserve the right to decide if I want to give or not. Just my personel thoughts for what they may be worth.
Ron
In Spanish they say "haz el bien sin mirar a quién".
A new (recent) translation says ""do good With Dick and Jane". ¿It is so, or is a translation error?
"help people without judgement". You sound like a person with a good heart.
Dick and Jane are two of the main characters in a series of books almost everyone used in their first years of school. There were also a little sister named Sally, a cat named Puff, and a dog named Spot. A couple of years ago there was a movie titled "Fun with Dick and Jane." It starred Tia Leoni and Nicholas Cage. It did not concern the children's books, but tried to remind everyone of them.
I have issues with a lot of Boy Scout issues, but not this one. It's great.
Being the anal retentive compulsive Capricorn that I am I would have sanded, primed and painted all surfaces before reassembly.
...but that's just me.