OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Collectors Corner Ride On Duetscher Ride-on - Gearbox

Got myself a Duetcher, always wanted to know what made them tick, good tough old machine from what I know about them. Soon find out

Best yo post up up a pic. I believe they are still made in Ballarat. I have called the branch for Simplicity parts as they are a dealer and I fond them to be really helpful, going through their archive to find parts books.

I'm picking it up tomorrow Slash, like me it is a bit tired, but I enjoy bringing old neglected machines back to life. I usually try and avoid getting parts for these old machines from the manufacturer (if they still have them) generally I repair or come up with something that will do the job adequately. At the moment I need a gear selector safety switch for an Ariens 11/38 and it looks like I might have to get the genuine part. Have tried to think of other ways but so far no good. Lucky for me their factory is only 5 mins up the road

My mate has a Deutcher and it shot an axle bush so he cobbled one up by using plc pipe which was a shade big so he split it lengthways and closed up the gap. He has been happy with the result.
Can you use an old school brake light switch for the gear selector lock out?

Miles ahead on you on that one Slash, I have at least a dozen of old brake switches and spent a bit of time yesterday trying to see if I could get one to work but the switch I need has a ball on the end so it can run across the selector and it also helps lock it in that gear

I know the old reverse light switch for the Borg Warners used in Chryslers had a ball bearing sitting inside a male thread if that is of any help? Perhaps if you post a pic someone could McGyver up an idea?

Good call Slash a number of gearboxes used similar switches still trying to track one down.

Off you trot to the wreckers. I would assume she's metric so a Val would no doubt be out. If you have a DECENT auto place near by they might be able to help. Perhaps a manual gearbox rebuilder?

Doesn't matter metric or imperial, it goes through a small plate with a locknut on the other side

I've had trouble with reverse lights coming on in second and fourth so had to fiddle with the switch before. You may be able to pack it out with a washer or two or bend the mount in or out if need be.

Bit of a problem with the Duetcher, diff housing is split, this may require some little bit of handywork at least the Honda motor fired up instantly. They are a tough old machine, built with real steel, be interesting to see what sort of fix I can come up with.

You can get those welding rods that you just heat up and melt on with the oxy. Not actually welding. I've never used them. Assuming it's an ally housing? If you clean it up squeaky clean a local engineering workshop should be able to weld it up easily enough.

Slash the welding is not the problem, I would need to find all the missing parts of the case. When I get time I will pull it out and put up a pic, it is ugly

Ok so I am on the lookout for a transmission for one of these if anybody has any thoughts or suggestions

Good morning Norm,
What is the current Make and Model of the transmission installed on the machine?
This may help you find a replacement or alternative.

Thanks Daryl, at this stage no idea, I thought all those Duetchers were pretty much the same, never got up close till yesterday with one. It is not a high priority at the moment, more like a winter project. Thought I would just throw it out there and see if anything was laying around. I might see if I can get a chance to drop the transmission out, but once I do that it disables it till I get something to replace it with. Might have to make up a dummy axle and wheels so I can move it out of the way

There you go Slash, I know you love pics, I feel it is a bit beyond a welding repair

Daryl, I haven't found any info or label on it. I'll get onto Duetcher and see what they say

G'day folks,

Norm, you were certainly correct about it being ugly! If that's grease in it, I don't think it should be there - AFAIK these always used gear oil.

Deutscher have always made their mower transaxle units in-house; with the exception of their post-1993 ride-on models.
There are some variances, as early SP models just had one or two forward speeds; the late ones have two forward/one reverse.

There was one self-propelled model [the G26] that had a multi-speed variable-pulley belt drive, too.

Norm, have you worked out just which model you have? THIS Deutscher newsletter should help with that.

Hi Gadge, thanks for that I now know exactly what it is, it is a Model R 360.. Yes that is grease in it, might have had a oil leak at some stage so they stuffed grease in it. Hopefully I can get a new transaxle otherwise it will have to go to the scrap bin. At least the motor is good

G'day Norm,
The transaxle housing halves are still available from Deutscher, but list price is nearly $440 for the pair...

Parts list/manual is HERE.

These machines do sometimes pop up cheap, with rusted out decks.
This past thread has some useful info; https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=59010

The used parts supplier mentioned there, Terry Scanlon, is still around with the contact numbers mentioned. Just doesn't have anything up for sale on FleaBay ATM.