J46 deck rebuilt

[DavidBarkey]

I was planning on running a 46" deck on the 226 next summer. This years winter project will be the 226.

Keep the Peace
Harry

Being able to lift it and different belt seam to be the only real issue . I am not sure why the 46's are so much taller other than to evacuate more grass , but other manufactures with 48" deck are no where near as deep yet seam to work fine . I have another 222 yet to be restored . My plan is to make a rear discharge deck from scratch using fabricated spindles with off the shelf bearings 6204 and and mulching blades . The 65.5" belt is to long for this application . I have a 63 and 64" belts on order and will report on how it goes .
@Harry What height do you cut your grass ?

[Harry]

I like to cut my grass 3 to 4 inches. The 46" deck on my 444 cut's it perfect when the adjuster is all the way up. When I move the hyrdaulic lift lever the deck hardly lifts at all and the deck is all the way up. I used this deck in my backyard which is really only a field and the deck would hit some high spots and it did get bent in the front. So this past winter when I was checking the bearings and what not, I welded a piece of rebarr across the front of the deck to prevent that. I was looking for a pic of that, but I don't seem to have one. I'll have to take one and post it.

Keep the Peace
Harry

[DavidBarkey]

I like to cut my grass 3 to 4 inches. The 46" deck on my 444 cut's it perfect when the adjuster is all the way up. When I move the hyrdaulic lift lever the deck hardly lifts at all and the deck is all the way up. I used this deck in my backyard which is really only a field and the deck would hit some high spots and it did get bent in the front. So this past winter when I was checking the bearings and what not, I welded a piece of rebarr across the front of the deck to prevent that. I was looking for a pic of that, but I don't seem to have one. I'll have to take one and post it.

Keep the Peace
Harry

I do the same to the front lower lip . on all the decks I do for these.

[Eugen]

@Harry , great idea welding the rebar there, I'll have to do that too.

[thebuildist]

20220701_115246.jpg
J46 deck on the 222 level and ready to cut . Waiting on new belt . Can't run original size due to the deck being much taller without cutting at 2" Have to go to a shorter belt to swing the tensioner pulleys up and out of the way more razing the height the belt comes off the bottom of the pulley so as not to rub the top of the deck when cutting at 2.5 -3" Belt should be in on Monday . Then test drive . That is a lot of deck under there . Not much room under there left to lift up . It say that you can run this deck on the 200 series , but it doe not say is that I think it should have some sort of lift kit to raise the tractor a bit .
Anyone run one of the 46" decks on 200 series ??

One way you could lift the 222 up is to put bigger wheels/tires on the rear end and a taller front axle on the front end.

Then that J46 Deck would fit very nicely.

Of course, after such a change, you'd want to rename the 222 to a... I can't think of what you'd call it....



Bob

[DavidBarkey]

I was planning on running a 46" deck on the 226 next summer. This years winter project will be the 226.

Keep the Peace
Harry

You will need a 1/2' x 64" belt to make it work . OEM belt is too long and will rub on the top of the deck . The shorter belt allows the pulley to be much high keeping the belt in proper alignment.

[DavidBarkey]

Finally got the new smaller 64" belt on the 222 with the J46 deck on and cut some grass . The grass isn't too thick right now but it cut clean . No issues . Clutch worked perfectly . The K301a make a lot of power for only a "12hp" . Ready for new owner .