Progress on three fronts

My small engine guy and his friend (who has about 15 tractors) came over last night to help finish off the Bolens 1455 mower deck renovation.  Derek installed an idle tensioner pulley and then mounted the belt, leaving the deck essentially complete.  I still have to install a guard using conveyor belting but have already cut it.  We won't install the belt covers until we have watched the deck to be sure it runs OK.  Here's what it looks like now (above).

Then we contemplated the 1250 mower deck, almost a twin to the 1455 deck, which is pretty rough.  Derek cut the gearbox off the deck with an angle grinder.  We already know all of the sleeve bearings in the hanger spindles are shot, but I have replacements ready to go.  Derek and Donnie agreed that we could weld a steel plate on the underside to strengthen the corroded area around the gearbox without changing the height of the gearbox in relation to the pulleys on the top.  We loaded the deck into Derek's pickup to take over to Donnie's place so they can try to get the blade bearings out without taking off the bearing housings, which probably would be shot if they had to be removed.  So we will see whether they think the deck can be fixed up to work well.  If it can, they probably will sandblast it so I can prime and paint it.  This is what it looks like right now:

Finally, Derek and Donnie installed the deck sheave onto the main shaft of the Bolens 1250 that is to be used for the rail-mower.  I had already cleaned up the shaft with a wirewheel and cleaned out the inside of the sheave with steel wool.  So it went on fairly easily, with some persuasion from a rubber mallet.  Derek also tapped in the 3/16 inch square key.  Now I just have to tighten up the set-screws and begin re-installing the front end, including the PTO belts, the battery and gas tank platform and the gas tank.  Then it will be ready for my next work session with Frank Glatzl, which looks like it will happen on or about July 17.  At that session we will install the NOS Wisconsin fuel pump, the throttle and choke cables, and see if the engine fires up.  If it works, we will then move the tractor underneath the hoist I built, hook some chains on it to hold it up and begin disconnecting the hydraulic pump and rear axle, as well as the front wheels.  Lots of work still ahead but starting to see daylight.