Page 1 of 2

Woods (I think) mower caster problem

Posted: Sun Apr 28, 2013 10:05 pm
by vwfish
Hi,

I bought my Cub last winter with a plow already attached. I also got a belly mower which wasn't attached and this weekend I started trying to figure out how it all went together. The first thing I noticed when comparing my assembly to pix on the web was the casters were bolted way on the outside of the mower at the top of the skid plates.
I moved them toward the center and bolted where I believe they belong, but now the casters hit the front of the mower and cannot rotate 360deg (see pic). It's like I have the wrong mounting plates, or the caster assembly is assembled wrong, or what?

Re: Woods (I think) mower caster problem

Posted: Sun Apr 28, 2013 10:43 pm
by Former Member
What happens if you swap them, bringing them closer to the center of the deck?

Re: Woods (I think) mower caster problem

Posted: Sun Apr 28, 2013 11:08 pm
by Clark Thompson
there should be another set of holes in the deck bracket to move the casers forward

Re: Woods (I think) mower caster problem

Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 6:54 am
by vwfish
Dale,
Good idea. I'll try that.

Clark,
There is one more hole further forward, but it only lines up with one hole in the mount bracket.
I supposed I could drill another hole, but it seems I shouldn't have to.


Thanks for the suggestions!

Re: Woods (I think) mower caster problem

Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 8:11 am
by Buzzard Wing
Look closer at the holes you have, they look like the correct wheels. I will try to snag a picture of mine.

Also, they are an option and no reason you can't run the mower without them. The height of the cut should be set by the hydraulics anyway. Expensive to get as set!

Re: Woods (I think) mower caster problem

Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 8:23 am
by gitractorman
The casters were an option with the deck, and several hundred $$, but they were added on later. I actually like the idea of them being on the outside of the deck, as it will let the deck ride more evenly. Although, if the skid shoes are adjusted properly with the wheels in the middle, it will work well too.

I did a little research, and this should help:
Image

Looks like you have the brackets on the wrong sides.

Re: Woods (I think) mower caster problem

Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 12:04 pm
by bythepond88
gitractorman wrote:Looks like you have the brackets on the wrong sides.


Gitractorman has it. The offset should be toward the middle of the deck. That's how mine is set up.

Re: Woods (I think) mower caster problem

Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 6:03 pm
by Buzzard Wing
I thought a manual I looked at had them setup like his pictures, but because of possible interference with the front wheels it doesn't make sense to me.

I did pay dearly for the wheel 'kit', but don't remember how much.

Also, the Woods 59 C-2 manual lists two different length 'arms': Right caster arm, 16-5/32" long and Right caster arm asy, 13-5/32" long. Not sure which is supposed to be for a Cub, but I can check mine in a few minutes. Suspect it is the longer one.

Re: Woods (I think) mower caster problem

Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 8:07 pm
by vwfish
I moved the mount arms every which way and there is no way they are long enough. I'm guessing Buzzard Wing is correct and I have the wrong ones.
No matter I guess. I will run it without the wheels and use the hydraulics to set the height.

thanks for the input.

Re: Woods (I think) mower caster problem

Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 8:29 pm
by RaymondDurban
It says in the pic that gitractorman posted to install with the castors with the offset out so that there are no interference issues with the Carb on the left side. The same pic also says to set the tractor front wheels out 6" so the castors don't hit them either.
You of course don't have to run them at all, but if all was stopping me was to drill one hole in each bracket, I believe they'd be on the drill press. :D The mower will scalp less with them installed.

Re: Woods (I think) mower caster problem

Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 9:04 pm
by Buzzard Wing
Just so you know, the 'main' height adjustment is where the 'stinger' plugs into the rear bracket.

If you need the manual, http://www.woodsequipment.com/manualsList.aspx?id=1 should work or I am pretty sure it's also on Rudi's server too.

Re: Woods (I think) mower caster problem

Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2013 9:37 am
by Matt Kirsch
Those may be casters off a Danco/IH C3 mower.

I've got two sets of Woods casters out in the shed, but I can't get out there for at least another week and a half to get some measurements.

Re: Woods (I think) mower caster problem

Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2013 9:00 pm
by Buzzard Wing
The arm itself is 14" from the end to where the wheel hole is welded onto it. At least on mine. The picture didn't turn out too well. My guess is if the bolt holes don't line up then it was intended for something else. The IH/Danco mowers have channel iron that is straight, so the wheel arms don't need to be as long.

Re: Woods (I think) mower caster problem

Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2013 9:42 pm
by SONNY
I have both kinds, (Danco IH and Woods) and the wheels wont interchange!---I can tell you this,-- IF you waste your time puttin them on,--you will be taking them back off the first time you try to turn the front tractor wheels!---Thats why I threw mine in the junk!---The wont let the front tractor wheels turn without hitting the tires! thanks; sonny

Re: Woods (I think) mower caster problem

Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2013 9:45 pm
by RaymondDurban
Thats why the manual says to set the front axle out, so the castors wont interfere.