Mower Decks - Wheels vs Rollers ?

[RoamingGnome]

I have 3 Case tractors (195, 222, and 446) and all of the tractors came with mower decks and there is differences between all 3 , especially the round roll-ey bits on the back of the deck.

The oldest of the bunch (the E44R on the 195) has rollers that pretty much go all the way across the back

The newer decks have a pair of wheels on the trailing edge of the deck

On another forum there was a discussion about the "right" deck for a 195 and how an E44R deck for a 195 did not have rollers on the back -

That thread started when someone asked about the rear rollers on his 195 deck getting very close to the back wheels -

I added some pics of my worn out fangs and the welding I did to tighten up the sloppy linkages...

And the "extra attachments page" in my 195 operators manual shows a deck with full width rollers

I was wondering if any one here has an older 100 series machine? Does it have rollers across the full width of the deck?

I know mine does I'm mostly interested in finding out for my own knowledge, rather than debating the issue elsewhere.

Personally I think the rollers would work really well on a nice flat manicured lawn (they might even give those fancy "stripes" that are all the rage in posh neighbourhoods) - Unfortunately, that's not the kind of lawns I have, either in the city or up north at the property I'm happy to have enough weeds that it looks green and doesn't get muddy when it's been raining

Up at the property I'll be cutting weeds in the middle of the two track driveway, and will probably use one of the newer machines with guide wheels on the back of the deck. I think if I ever have a perfectly flat patch of grass it's going to be growing on top of my septic leach field

[Harry]

I have 3 Case tractors (195, 222, and 446) and all of the tractors came with mower decks and there is differences between all 3 , especially the round roll-ey bits on the back of the deck.

PXL_20231030_201655195.jpg

The oldest of the bunch (the E44R on the 195) has rollers that pretty much go all the way across the back

PXL_20220627_170614278.jpg

PXL_20231030_220816556.jpg

The newer decks have a pair of wheels on the trailing edge of the deck

On another forum there was a discussion about the "right" deck for a 195 and how an E44R deck for a 195 did not have rollers on the back -

PXL_20230614_235008939.jpg

That thread started when someone asked about the rear rollers on his 195 deck getting very close to the back wheels -

PXL_20230614_235242398.jpg

PXL_20230713_203907757 (Large).jpg

I added some pics of my worn out fangs and the welding I did to tighten up the sloppy linkages...

Case195 attachments.jpg

And the "extra attachments page" in my 195 operators manual shows a deck with full width rollers

I was wondering if any one here has an older 100 series machine? Does it have rollers across the full width of the deck?

I know mine does I'm mostly interested in finding out for my own knowledge, rather than debating the issue elsewhere.

Personally I think the rollers would work really well on a nice flat manicured lawn (they might even give those fancy "stripes" that are all the rage in posh neighbourhoods) - Unfortunately, that's not the kind of lawns I have, either in the city or up north at the property I'm happy to have enough weeds that it looks green and doesn't get muddy when it's been raining

Up at the property I'll be cutting weeds in the middle of the two track driveway, and will probably use one of the newer machines with guide wheels on the back of the deck. I think if I ever have a perfectly flat patch of grass it's going to be growing on top of my septic leach field

Gerry, I looked it up in the manual section and the E44-R deck looked like there were no rollers on the rear. They must have because you own one. Harry

[RoamingGnome]

Thanks @Harry there are so many different manuals available - and I looked through different ones a couple of times trying to make sure I was matching up the correct drawing with the parts list.

Don't worry, there's no problem or worries here, I'm just trying to understand mower decks better, and make sure I didn't have an oddball deck that possibly belonged on a different machine - I've caught myself a couple of times looking at the wiring diagrams for the Ingersoll 222 - thinking I had the right one, then turning the page and finding there was a different diagram for a newer s/n break (it used a safety switch under the seat that a previous owner had removed, but left the "mystery" wires dangling...)

This was the parts catalogue I used,

Rotary Mower E38, E44R, E44T, Parts Manual A1060_watermarked.pdf

(4.05 MiB) Downloaded 61 times

The 195 Drawing was on pg 8 and parts list on pg 9

Younger mechanics today don't appreciate how easy they have it being able to look up everything on their laptop - It was always fun watching the look on an apprentices face when we had a machine too old to be on their laptop - it would mean going in the back store room and uncovering the last remaining microfiche reader in the branch, and a dusty filing cabinet full of old microfiches... the good old days !

[DavidBarkey]

I hated microfiches . Not a big fan of try to read off a screen , but like how you can print off one or two pages and have there right at the machine . Paper back manuals were great if broken down by section and in a binder . A 2-3" thick manual was a pain at times . The one dealor ship I worked at when aprenticeing would not let techs take the manuals into the shop . The service manager would have copies of the section you needed ready with the work order .

[CaseIngersollNE]

I think all the 100 series we have had here had full roller decks. Yes they will stripe on the right lawns. Heavy decks and a pain compared to the snap fast to hook up lol. I think some real early 200 and 400 could use these decks as well.

[RoamingGnome]

Thanks for the comment CINE. When I went to pick up the 195 the previous owner had a really nice manicured lawn - He said he had just upgraded to a zero turn because he was getting older and had so much lawn to cut. (I think the 195 had been in his family since new)

After I fixed up the excessive play in the deck linkage I tried cutting the weeds in my city backyard. It seemed the full width rollers of that deck were bouncing off every little bump and lump - it would be next to impossible to use up north on the gravel driveway.

I think Grandpa (our 195) is destined for life as a Trailer Queen and all the tough work will fall on the shoulders of the 222 and 446...

Gerry

[CaseIngersollNE]

You are welcome, I f I recall correctly all those rollers should pivot some as not to lift the deck itself when on rough terrain.

[propane1]

All my Massey Ferguson garden tractors all have one solid roller on the back. Never have any trouble cutting the grass smooth and make great stripes.


Noel

[Toolslinger]

I'd think that full width roller is really only about striping. With a rotary deck, the roller is too far behind the blades to prevent scalping really. It sure produces those nice stripes though.

I don't have a regular mower with a full roller on it. I do have a full width roller on my Mott flail. I'd agree it makes for a bit of a rugged ride for the mower on less than manicured areas. (which is where it earns it's keep, so it gets a beating all the time) I imagine if I had a nice big lawn that was taken care of, it would do an amazing stripe job. Problem with that is making the turns at the end of each cut. The MF135 isn't exactly nimble like a mower, or garden tractor.

[propane1]

The roller on my MF 7 garden tractor mower deck has adjustment for up and down. Plus the lift handle for the mower deck has adjustment for height.

Noel