Spindle Problem Laser HP

[dhofer]

I own an Exmark Laser HP with a 52" deck. By landscaping standards, this is lightly used. I mow my 4 acres and my parents 2 acres weekly (all flat unobstructed land - was a farm field 10 years ago). In 5 years of ownership, the mower now has 250 hours on it.

I'm told the spindles are shot and need replaced. I'm a little surprised that a $ 700 repair (this was the estimate) would be needed with so few hours.

I've reached under the deck and can find no 'play' in the spindle with the blade attached on 2 of them. One of them moves side-to-side slightly. Can someone tell me the best method to determine if a spindle is going bad or is bad and needs immediate replacement?

[eXmark]

I own an Exmark Laser HP with a 52" deck. By landscaping standards, this is lightly used. I mow my 4 acres and my parents 2 acres weekly (all flat unobstructed land - was a farm field 10 years ago). In 5 years of ownership, the mower now has 250 hours on it.

I'm told the spindles are shot and need replaced. I'm a little surprised that a $ 700 repair (this was the estimate) would be needed with so few hours.

I've reached under the deck and can find no 'play' in the spindle with the blade attached on 2 of them. One of them moves side-to-side slightly. Can someone tell me the best method to determine if a spindle is going bad or is bad and needs immediate replacement?

The best way for us to assist you would be to get you into contact directly with us. In doing so, we can work with you directly and involve the dealer as well. There are many variables to consider in this situation and is best resolved case by case.

Please contact us by calling 402.223.6375 or via e-mail at service@exmark.com

We will be happy to take a look at your case and offer any assistance we can provide.

Thanks
Christie Moore

[dhofer]

Perhaps I'm not in the correct forum. I'm looking for advice on how to check these spindles from other owners who have experience with this.

Is this an ExMark owned forum? I'm certainly not interested in getting in the middle of an issue between the dealer and Exmark.

[eXmark]

Perhaps I'm not in the correct forum. I'm looking for advice on how to check these spindles from other owners who have experience with this.

Is this an ExMark owned forum? I'm certainly not interested in getting in the middle of an issue between the dealer and Exmark.
Yes, this is an Exmark sponsered site. I am sure you will still receive some input from the gang on your spindle issues.
Brian

[accuratelawn]

you should get alot more than 250 hours before replacement of spindles.
Do you store the mower outside?
Dp you power wash the mower or hose it down?
Moisture could shorten the life of you bearings

[dhofer]

I always store indoors. Yes, I do powerwash it. I also have some low areas that I mow that hold water.

[MikeLT1Z28]

if they are noisey then the bearings are shot. i went thru this with my former dealer (when i ran exmarks) and got screwed, so i sold the lazer and the metro just sits broke in my garage.

[XB 2002]

I have 2003 Lazer Z. It had 144 hours on it and I noticed that one spindle was pretty noisy and one other felt like it was on the way. I contacted Exmark since I was out of warranty, Christie wanted me to have my dealer check the machine out ( Fair enough ) but I already had it hoisted up in my shop and disassembled. I ordered six new bearings from J Thomas and pulled all of the spindles (3) and replaced them a couple of months ago for about 70.00 in parts.
Now, as far a washing it. I too, have kept my machine clean, although I never use a pressure washer. I personally wish that Exmark would have a Greaseable spindle housing for my machine. If hose water is getting into a sealed bearing from my faucet then how is the grease staying in there at those high RPM's ? And before someone says that the aftermarket bearings aren't going to last just look how long the factory new homeowner use only ones lasted. Call J Thomas and order you some bearings.
XB 2002
P.S. $700.00 is Highway Robbery !! If you were near me I'd help you for nothing. Good Luck !!

[Allens LawnCare]

As long has the Spindal housings are fine replace the bearing....I had the same issue wanted $600 for four complete spindels and labor...then I was pulled aside and told to check out just the bearing, $11 apiece....the dearler tells the Mechanics to push for the whole assembly.

[dhofer]

The feedback I've received is fantastic and I greatly appreciate it.

One person mentioned that if the spindles are noisy they need replaced. I don't notice any noise. Are there any other indicators that a spindle is bad?

Regarding replacing the bearings, are they pressed in?

[XB 2002]

Remove your deck belt so that the spindles will turn freely. Give them each a spin and listen and feel the diffference between them. They should be almost silent and not feel like there is any grit in them. Also, try to shake them to check for slack. Use caution when removing the deck belt b/c the idler has alot of spring tension on it. Use a wrench or ratchet with a socket ( 5/8" or 9/16" I think ). If they feel and sound fine... Cut grass and don't worry about em for a while.
XB 2002

$700.00
I once heard that " When the poor steal from the middle class it is called robbery, when the middle class steals from the rich it is called embezzelment, and when the rich steal from everyone else it is called Business "

[green acres lawns]

I have replaced all the bearings in my lazer. They are held in by snap rings and are a snug fit. I used an arbor press to push mine out and back in, but a small hammer and punch would have worked also. Mine got moisture in them and got loud enough to hear above the blade noise.

[MikeLT1Z28]

the dearler tells the Mechanics to push for the whole assembly.

i was told by exmark on the phone that exmark also prefers to replace the whole spindle vs changing the bearings. guess that's one way to keep prices up. i might actually get my metro out and yank the bearings on it. i may keep it for cutting junk grass or i might just sell it.

[Z2000]

Hey Gang, what is the latest on bearing replacement on our decks?? I have a Lazer ZHP (LHP48 model) with the 48" deck and all three spindles are getting loud.... Should I do bearings or entire cutting spindle assemblies?? Do I need anything special in tools if I go for only bearings? this is a personal use mower from 2004 with only 261hrs.

[dhofer]

My Laser Z HP 52" had the spindle bearings go bad around 250 hours. I just replaced the entire spindle assemblies. I was able to purchase 3 new spindle assemblies (with pullies) for around $ 208.96 delivered on ebay from seller mowtownusa1. I'm going to rebuild the assemblies I removed and have them ready for the next time this is necessary.

One thought. It was a fair amount of work to remove and resinstall the spindle asssemblies. I believe you could replace just the bearings without removing the spindles from the deck.

When I first was told the spindles were bad I thought my dealer was trying to rip me off. As it turns out, the dealer was correct. I think they should have lasted longer than they did. Other than the spindles, the Ex-Mark has been a great mower. I'd buy another.

[Z2000]

Sounds good. I am going to do the same proceedure. Install new ones, and rebuild the existing ones for the next go-around.

I do not see how to press the bearings on and off while they are still on the deck though. Seems as though it is a timely "R and R", but at least I'll have the next set ready to go.

Are there no aftermarket assemblies out there that we can install and be able to grease??

[dhofer]

I haven't found any that have grease fittings on them; however, I haven't looked very hard. The ex-mark forum moderators seem to be very helpful. Maybe they would know.

[HenryB]

I always get at least 1000 hrs out of Exmark spindles. No offense but could you guys be doing something wrong? I would never powerwash a mower.

[dhofer]

I always powerwash the mower. Could it be that I should avoid powerwashing the deck? I'm assuming that the inference is that powerwashing forces water into the bearings?

[Z2000]

I know I have been doing something wrong. Even though the manual suggests not to wash the mower, I really try to keep it clean. I had no idea that the "maint free bearings" were open to water and corrosion. :-(

Less washing and maybe I'll get 500hrs next time.... OR we can find some that are available to be greased. :-) I'd let 'er stay dirty, but can't really stand to let it accumulate grime.

Thanks Guys!!!

[Daneman]

Can you just drill a hole and insert a grease fitting yourself? If it is a sealed bearing, all the grease would be doing is villing the void where moisture can acumulate. Perhaps 2 holes, as the other could be used as a weep hole.

[MikeLT1Z28]

hmm, lots of 250 hour replacements here. that's about how many hours my metro has on it. i am looking for the bearing right now. someone on ebay right now has the replacement cutter housings for 68.00 + shipping and its GREASABLE.

i can't believe all these bearings running dry at 250 hours.... my gear boxes on my other brand have 1500+hours and they spin along just fine.

[Z2000]

Hey Mike, where did you find the greasable bearings? I can not see them on eBay. I got the 68.00 replacements. They are awesome! Better Timken bearings inside, but still not greasable. Seems like the ones you found would be a better all around answer.

I only got 250 hours out of about 4 to 5 years. I probably could have got more, but I hit a few things along the way and powerwashed my mower a lot. This time around I will be more careful and also not use water! LoL.

I would love some greasable bearings though to keep this thing smooth and QUIET......

Z

[MikeLT1Z28]

j. thomas sells a complete cutter housing with a grease zerk in the housing, says for metro and viking, but the latest update i can find shows the 36" metro (my mower) and the lazer hp's take the same cutter housing.

http://j-thomas.com/Catalog/044.htm

here's the one on ebay. http://cgi.ebay.com/Exmark-Spindle-Housing-103-8280-1-323532-Lazer-Z-HP_W0QQitemZ290100278389QQihZ019QQcategoryZ50377QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

[Keith]

Hey. I just want to thank everyone for bothering to contribute information when they could just ignore it and save the effort of typing. You could just as easily not bother, but you do and it often helps someone else besides just the person who started the thread.


My Lazer has a couple of spindles headed south. So I searched LS and came to this thread. I had no idea there were aftermarket spindle assemblies available for my mower. I was unable to find the exact part number that the Exmark quick reference chart shows for my mower. But I did find an Oregon cross for 103-3200. It looks the same, but it's not the right part number. So for the heck of it I broke out my parts manual that came with the machine. Guess what. The part it calls for is 103-3200! Maybe the part number on Exmark's Quick Reference page is a newer part that will fit my machine. But I think I will give the the aftermarket part a shot at 54 bucks vs. $200.

So, thanks guys :)

[MikeLT1Z28]

on the quick reference on my metro it lists a whole new cutter housing (spindle housing). that's the part number i posted and it seems to be the new lazer hp part number as well.