Mower deck modification

[Eugen]

I'm thinking of modifying the mower deck to accept easier to find bearings such as the 6004-2RS. Thoughts?

I'll return with details

[myerslawnandgarden]

Eugene,

The bearings are not at all hard to source here in the states, I can supply several bearing numbers that will work without modification if you would like.

Bob

[Eugen]

Eugene,

The bearings are not at all hard to source here in the states, I can supply several bearing numbers that will work without modification if you would like.

Bob

The Z9504 bearings are at least double the price of easier to find bearings. On top of that shipping from the US to Canada has become outrageous. Then we get hit by a customs charge. A few years ago I was buying lots of things on eBay from the US. Now the customs and shipping charges are prohibiting. I don't know what the cause is and don't mean to make this issue political. I really don't have an idea, but I know now I almost get nothing from the US. It's really sad, I order more from china and amazon.

The 6004 bore is 20mm, a little larger than the Z9504 which is 19.2mm. The OD is 42mm for the 6004 and a little more than 45mm for the Z9504. I was thinking that the slightly smaller 6004 can fit with an inner and outer bushing. Realistically I am starting to doubt it's a good idea even for someone with a lathe.

[DavidBarkey]

I am in the same boat a Eugen . I can't afford to buy most thing from the US. Like he said , customs, duty , taxes, shipping and the exchange multiplies the price by 4 times . To further the problem we are having , the supply chain of parts is still in shamble due to Covid . If someone could come up with a way to get good across the border without breaking the bank , we would gladly start buying from our American brothers again .

Dave

[myerslawnandgarden]

I understand the additional expenses that you guys face when buying parts from the US, are there not bearing supply companies in Canada where you can just walk in and purchase the 9504RST at a reasonable price? The ones that I offer on our website for $3.75 ea. I pay $2.25 for in lots of 100. 40% profit margin but that is diluted by the inbound shipping charges, 100 bearings weighs quite a lot.

Bob

[Eugen]

I understand the additional expenses that you guys face when buying parts from the US, are there not bearing supply companies in Canada where you can just walk in and purchase the 9504RST at a reasonable price? The ones that I offer on our website for $3.75 ea. I pay $2.25 for in lots of 100. 40% profit margin but that is diluted by the inbound shipping charges, 100 bearings weighs quite a lot.

Bob

Sent you a PM Bob. I think $3.75 is a reasonable price, hopefully shipping isn't a killer

I don't know of any bearing supply company around where I live, unfortunately. Rural area There might be some in Toronto, but I don't know that either. Maybe Spike has a good source?

[Timj]

Auto parts suppliers and machine shops may have access to them too.
Sucks that you guys get screwed like that.

[DavidBarkey]

I understand the additional expenses that you guys face when buying parts from the US, are there not bearing supply companies in Canada where you can just walk in and purchase the 9504RST at a reasonable price? The ones that I offer on our website for $3.75 ea. I pay $2.25 for in lots of 100. 40% profit margin but that is diluted by the inbound shipping charges, 100 bearings weighs quite a lot.

Bob

Not many up our way anymore and the few I buy from online are out of stock on so many seals and bearings it is not funny. What the do have is the bottom line Chinese stuff at a high $ . It is cheaper most of the time to get higher end Chinese /Japanese stuff right from there warehouses in Canada . Can't always get what I need , so sometimes have to south of the border like my last purchase for a few engine parts . $68 worth of parts is going to cost me $195 and change , maybe more if I get dinged duty at the border my side .
Dave

[Eugen]

I might get the bearings from Bob, in part to support people here too.

I am though, interested in maybe trying one of the following two options on one of my old decks, just because.

Let's see.

Option 1.
Get 10x 6004-2RS bearings for $23 from amazon, free shipping. Dimensions are 20x42x12 mm or 0.787x1.65x0.47 in. The Z9504 is 19x45x15.5 mm or 0.75x1.78x0.61 in. The first two dimensions are ID and OD respectively. So the inner bushing would need to be 1mm (0.037in) thick, and the exterior bushing about 3mm (0.13in) thick on the outside.

So, 1/2 inch schedule 40 steel pipe has IDxODxWT 0.622x0.840x0.109 inch dimensions, just good to turn in a lathe the interior bushing out of it.

1-1/2 inch schedule 40 steel pipe is 1.61x1.9x0.145 inch, which is good for the outer bushing.

Option 2.
Get 10x 6204-2RS from amazon, at $21 free shipping. Dimensions are 20x47x14 mm. Do the inner bushing like above, and enlarge the spindle housing on the lathe by 2mm from 45mm to 47mm.

This is the housing.

[myerslawnandgarden]

Using USPS 1st Class Package International, shipping is $21.25 for up to 2 pounds. You can ship 7 bearings in a padded mailer and be just under that weight. Of course you still have the currency exchange rate and any import taxes to consider, the post office usually isn't too expensive on the brokerage.

Bob