Hi grnkpn89,
Firstly thanks for the 2 extra photos.
I think your problems are much worse than just the reel. Sadly your machine is suffering the dreaded rail fatigue cracking issue.
If you have a look at the rail around the front engine mounting bolt nearest to the Primary clutch you'll see cracks radiating outwards. I did suspect this due to the unusual clutch that's been fitted. I'm sure that the original clutch was not correctly maintained and thus ran unbalanced for quite some time which induced extra vibration into the rails, thus in turn it will cause metal fatigue around the mounting points of the power plant.
This must be remedied as its not going to get any better, rather it will eventually cause total machine failure.
So I guess here's the chance to solve the Powder Coating issue with a total strip down, blasting, repairing and restoring to look like a brand new machine.
Incidentally the engine is the original unit being built in the USA on the 15th February 1994, thus the mower would've been assembled around 3 to 4 months later here in Brisbane's Eagle Farm Rover Plant as by then reel mower production had come to nearly a stand still compared to rotaries that were being pumped out by their hundreds per day.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but it's better to know earlier than later I guess.
Cheers,
BB.
PS. I'm still trying to work out what bolt you are referring to ?
