345 saga continues

1405 Views 16 Replies 4 Participants Last post by backwoods, 11 mo ago

backwoods

Discussion Starter · Mar 6, 2022

6

As most of you know I was given a 345 liquid cooled 20hp, it's been in the shop on the lift most of the winter as I've been puttering with everything on it getting ready for this coming mowing season. Well I knew it needed valve cover gaskets an a tune up an the deck needed some love. Once the deck was removed the clean up began this poor thing has been seriously neglected as far as cleaning, the entire belly of the tractor was full of debris. The quad on the inside of the deck we discovered was rotting away an found another Swiss cheese spot on the deck, best tool I've bought in years was a needle scaler from harbor freight such a time saver. Ok enough talk here's the pictures from since it's been in the shop.

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1 - 17 of 17 Posts

backwoods

Discussion Starter · #2 · Mar 6, 2022

9

More pictures

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Tire Wheel Automotive tire Motor vehicle Tread

Tire Wheel Car Vehicle Green

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backwoods

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 6, 2022

3

An more

Motor vehicle Hood Automotive tire Tire Tread

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backwoods

Discussion Starter · #4 · Mar 6, 2022

So I was going to mock up the new spindles an they are completely machined wrong so those bearings will go in the original housings after I clean the aluminum shavings out of them an repack them with grease.

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Kster526

· #5 · Mar 6, 2022

A shame how some items are treated.
Can never figure out how people pay good money for items and abuse them
and just leave them sit out year round.
We had a 345 at the school and it was a real nice piece to cut grass with, drag fields, pull roller etc.
We used the snow blower on it in winter and it always worked well.
Looks like when your done Greg it should be a nice new addition to your herd.

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tsb3

· #6 · Mar 6, 2022

It sure is a shame how some people treat their “stuff”, vehicles, mowers, etc.

Your patch work on the left side of the hood looks like it should work, just needs a shot of green! 👍🏻

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backwoods

Discussion Starter · #7 · Mar 6, 2022

Thanks guys it was rough when he bought it but not this rough

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backwoods

Discussion Starter · #8 · Mar 7, 2022

well with the nice temps yesterday i took the deck outside an took my time with the wire wheel an needle scaler an have it all cleaned up an ready to the guard to show up an then make my patch an get it all welded up

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HD-JD110Fan

· #9 · Mar 7, 2022

backwoods said:
well with the nice temps yesterday i took the deck outside an took my time with the wire wheel an needle scaler an have it all cleaned up an ready to the guard to show up an then make my patch an get it all welded up

You're doing a great job on your mower deck rebuild. I can relate to having to deal with neglect and poor maintenance of a previous owner. I've been doing a total rebuild on my 38" deck for my 110. It's a lot of work but I'm confident it'll be worth it in the long run. If you're considering an undercoating for the deck I think POR15 is a good option to consider. This is the first time I've done a rebuild on a deck and I haven't used the deck yet since applying it but this should be a good durable product. I applied 2 coats and was impressed with its strong bond and how hard it is to sand it after it's cured. Reviews for this application have been good so hopefully this will work out as good durable undercoating.

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backwoods

Discussion Starter · #10 · Mar 8, 2022

I've used por in the past an it's a great product, I've also seen the graphite paint too for decks so the bottom side might be waiting for paint for awhile till I can decide.

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backwoods

Discussion Starter · #11 · Apr 22, 2022

6

More work has been since the last I posteda complete service new fluids an filters an plugs, finally got around to buffing it tonight as well looks so much better now other then my repair to the hood. Tomorrow I'm off to a friend's house with the deck an patches to get them welded in an Tomorrow night after dinner I bought the slip plate graphite paint an gonna give it a shot.

Tire Wheel Automotive tire Motor vehicle Tread

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Wheel Tire Furniture Plant Bicycle tire

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HD-JD110Fan

· #12 · Apr 22, 2022

backwoods said:
More work has been since the last I posteda complete service new fluids an filters an plugs, finally got around to buffing it tonight as well looks so much better now other then my repair to the hood. Tomorrow I'm off to a friend's house with the deck an patches to get them welded in an Tomorrow night after dinner I bought the slip plate graphite paint an gonna give it a shot. View attachment 12779
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You're making real good progress on your project, keep up the good work.

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backwoods

Discussion Starter · #13 · Apr 23, 2022

Thank you yesterday i went to a friends an welded the patch an piece i had made in then put a decent coat of slip plate on ( strongly recommend some sort of way to mix it this settles bad an is like driveway sealer) that side note aside i used very little to cover the bottom of the deck. So i will be coating a few other decks as well.

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backwoods

Discussion Starter · #14 · May 11, 2022

Ok so I've mowed a few times so far an obviously wet grass sticks like normal but other then that I'm happy with this upgrade for all the lawn mowing I'll be doing.

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backwoods

Discussion Starter · #15 · 11 mo ago

Just an update on this pig other then having to change the battery its running an cutting great, just need to figure out why once in a while the battery light comes on while im mowing

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Kster526

· #16 · 11 mo ago

Greg I had a similar issue with my 235, I replaced the small capacitor has a red head on it and then found the wiring plug had corroded so bad you could not disconnect it. After I cut that off and repaired as needed problem was solved.
Not sure if this will help or not

Reactions: 3

backwoods

Discussion Starter · #17 · 11 mo ago

Thanks for the info ill check next time i get it out

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