Just call Richard's. I don't think the shells are as much as you think and they are UPS able. (I think they are around $300) Home made deck for me personally would be a big turn off on purchase.
Make or buy a 50" mower deck?
The 50"deck on my 816 (under restoration) works fine but the two new exhaust shoots spit grass right into my face. The deck shell is probably rusted in too many places to make patching it a long-term solution.
I do not want to spend around $500 to buy and ship a new 50" deck shell for my 816.
Looking at my 60" deck it appears that a downsized version of it could be used for a 50" shell. The benefit of basing a 50" shell on the 60" shell is the relatively simple metal bending required for the 60" shell. On the other hand The 50" shell has many compound curves molded into it.
I think a single sheet of metal can be bent in three or so places - all parallel bends - then a few smaller pieces can be welded onto the main sheet.
The downside of this idea may be that the total cost to buy the metal, pay someone to bend it, and the paint may close in on the $450-$550 cost of a new shell delivered.
The other concern I have is whether a homemade deck would turn off potential buyers.
Thoughts?
I do not want to spend around $500 to buy and ship a new 50" deck shell for my 816.
Looking at my 60" deck it appears that a downsized version of it could be used for a 50" shell. The benefit of basing a 50" shell on the 60" shell is the relatively simple metal bending required for the 60" shell. On the other hand The 50" shell has many compound curves molded into it.
I think a single sheet of metal can be bent in three or so places - all parallel bends - then a few smaller pieces can be welded onto the main sheet.
The downside of this idea may be that the total cost to buy the metal, pay someone to bend it, and the paint may close in on the $450-$550 cost of a new shell delivered.
The other concern I have is whether a homemade deck would turn off potential buyers.
Thoughts?
1 - 13 of 13 Posts
I made one and it totally blows away a stock one. Thicker steel. Anti scalping rollers. Wheels instead of sliders and it works perfectly.
You are nuts if you do it too.
I have way more money in this than a good used one has cost. Even a bit more money than a new shell. It took a ton of time. It does not look stock.
All told, if you can source one for 400 or less do so.
It has to be done right for safety sake and that takes time and money.
Rick
You are nuts if you do it too.
I have way more money in this than a good used one has cost. Even a bit more money than a new shell. It took a ton of time. It does not look stock.
All told, if you can source one for 400 or less do so.
It has to be done right for safety sake and that takes time and money.
Rick
There are many ways to make a deck and very few ways to make it right. Most of the homemade fabrications that I have seen look homemade. In general they are:
- stick welded The welds don't look pretty. Spatters and flux inclusions are rampant.
- bends not square - This just looks really bad.
- welded where bolts should be used. I call this the hammer syndrome. When all you have is a hammer...
The homemade fabrications that I have seen that look good are very few indeed.
If I were to fabricate a deck, I would have to make two or three. Once the engineering is done and the initial steel sheared and bent, it costs very little to just run another piece or three through the brake and shear.
- stick welded The welds don't look pretty. Spatters and flux inclusions are rampant.
- bends not square - This just looks really bad.
- welded where bolts should be used. I call this the hammer syndrome. When all you have is a hammer...
The homemade fabrications that I have seen that look good are very few indeed.
If I were to fabricate a deck, I would have to make two or three. Once the engineering is done and the initial steel sheared and bent, it costs very little to just run another piece or three through the brake and shear.
Hey, how come we never saw any pictures of the finished product?
Life gets in the way. One day I'll take pics and post. .
Rick
Rick
Why waste your time when you can buy a beautiful deck on e-bay etc. for around 300 complete. See them all the time and on other gravely sites. I assume this is what you are looking for. Have sold many nice ones throught the years for about this price.
I've got one with rebuilt bearings in it for $300.00. Too bad you're so far away.
Just remember. Time is money.
I have to agree.I made one and it totally blows away a stock one. Thicker steel. Anti scalping rollers. Wheels instead of sliders and it works perfectly.
You are nuts if you do it too.
I have way more money in this than a good used one has cost. Even a bit more money than a new shell. It took a ton of time. It does not look stock.
All told, if you can source one for 400 or less do so.
It has to be done right for safety sake and that takes time and money.
Rick
But everybody needs to build one just to find out it isn't worth doing.
In my case, it is a 60" deck. Neighbor has been using it for over a year now and it is holding up well. It better as the top and rear of the deck are 1/4" plate while the front and sides are 1/8" plate. It weighs a good bit more than a regular deck too. Next 60" will be made of stainless as doing it in regular steel isn't worth it.OK! I will break down and buy a new shell from Gravely!
Time is money, but I doubt anyone who participates on this board can truthfully claim that they do not spend "fun time" on their Gravelys.
I looked up a new shell on Richards' site and they list freight at $17. Guess I better confirm - maybe it is drop shipped from Gravely.
But seriously, thanks for your input - it helps one keep perspective - and history is a great teacher.
Time is money, but I doubt anyone who participates on this board can truthfully claim that they do not spend "fun time" on their Gravelys.
I looked up a new shell on Richards' site and they list freight at $17. Guess I better confirm - maybe it is drop shipped from Gravely.
But seriously, thanks for your input - it helps one keep perspective - and history is a great teacher.
That would be how it would come if we were doing it. Gravely allows dealers to drop ship direct to the customers so it saves hassles and costs.OK! I will break down and buy a new shell from Gravely!
Time is money, but I doubt anyone who participates on this board can truthfully claim that they do not spend "fun time" on their Gravelys.
I looked up a new shell on Richards' site and they list freight at $17. Guess I better confirm - maybe it is drop shipped from Gravely.
But seriously, thanks for your input - it helps one keep perspective - and history is a great teacher.
1 - 13 of 13 Posts
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