3160A Idler Pulley

[outdoors4evr]

My 3160A Mower deck started making a bit more noise while mowing. The investigation led me to the belt tensioner pulley on the mower deck. The 3160A has one belt on the deck that turns the outer spindles and another belt that runs from the PTO to the center spindle on the deck. Anyways, I could see the ball bearings in the idler pulley which should be a sealed bearing.
#13 on this diagram
https://www.partstree.com/parts/cub-cadet/accessories/3160a-international-harvester-rotary-mower-1977-beyond/drive-deck/

Anybody have an upgrade for this pulley that might give it a bearing with a grease zerk?

[tst]

drill a hole in the new one and add the fitting

[outdoors4evr]

Wouldn't the bearing be a sealed type?

[Duner]

I have done this with success on sealed/ shielded bearings. I drill a small hole in the shield/seal and add grease with my chainsaw bar grease gun. On my JD deck with a horizontal idler and I put a few drops of oil on top of bearing when done mowing. This bearing is hard to drill for adding grease and hard to access on the mower if I could add grease. If you add grease on a bearing that is just getting a little noisy , it might last for years. It has for me anyway. Good luck.

[mastercraft]

Anybody have an upgrade for this pulley that might give it a bearing with a grease zerk?

Yes get the woods 59 deck!!! lol just kidding, my 184 has the woods deck and no idler and all the mandrels are greasable........Was just mowing with mine today, I love it!!! Hope you get yours fixed soon

[outdoors4evr]

I have replaced the pulley - Messicks had one in stock. I didn't add a zerk as this one lasted 38 years. Maybe the next one will be just as reliable. Seems like there are a few places with sealed bearings on this tractor. (PTO tensioner pulley, Fan, The Mule Drive pulleys, etc) So far I have replaced all but the fan.