Help ! I wrecked my lawn tractor.

I hit a small stump which was buried in the grass and bent the blade almost back on itself. Got a new blade and it scrapes the outside of the deck. Looks like I tweaked the spindle. Is there an adjustment I can make from the top. If not can I "untweak" it from underneath with a hammer and chisel ? I only need 1/8" to 1/4". I hate to think of having to buy a whole new spindle. Any thoughts ? Thanks.

thanks Mick. I guess that means you agree that the spindle is the issue. I guess I was hoping someone would say, "oh, it's just so-n-so....(like deck adjustment).....just do so-n-so" ! I'd hate to replace the spindle and find that the blade still hits. But I know that decks don't adjust from side to side, so I guess I'm just grasping at straws here.

I would almost expect to see the spingle housing cracked. If it did that to the blade, there's a good chance the spindle is bent. But, maybe not. It may have bent the deck if it's stamped steel.

Scrap it.



Oh my...did I just say that?

well, it's just a few weeks old, Idaho, so I decided it would be best not to scrap it yet, but if I keep hitting stumps it won't be too long before I'll have to scrap it. I ground off about 1/16" off the ends of the new blade today. That solved the problem of the blade hitting the deck. But, it vibrates still and the cut isn't even. So, I'll be ordering a new spindle on Monday. Thanks for the advice. You were right again, Mick. And thank you for closing that thread about the I-beams. I thought someone was going to cry over that spilt milk til doomsday !! lol

If I had the money...I'd get a Walker, but I don't know if I'd let Dee use it. :P


Although those mowers use a shear pin to keep from destroying the gear box.

Been on lots of tractor and lawnmower forums today. No shortcuts...just gotta take the deck off and examine the "mandrel"...that's what sears calls the spindle. I like my riding mower, tater, why would I want to use your walker !!?? lol

I only need 1/8" to 1/4". I hate to think of having to buy a whole new spindle. Any thoughts ?

You might try one good whack from a BFH and see if you can move it that 1/8", if not then it's new spindle time.

.I'd get a Walker, but I don't know if I'd let Dee use it.

Tater, are you saying that Dee is old enough to use a walker??? don't know that I'd go there,,, lol

Originally Posted by IdahoScrapper

If I had the money...I'd get a Walker, but I don't know if I'd let Dee use it. :P


Although those mowers use a shear pin to keep from destroying the gear box.

They have their place. It's hard to beat them for a manicured, bagged cut. But they are a bit more maintenance than most zero turns. Oh, and I'm not sure the shear pins would have saved Dee

Ya'll cut it out (no pun meant) !!! It was a small stump hidden in the grass !! It could happen to anyone ! Not just senior citizens who are half blind...and don't want to use a weedeater !!