John Deere 503

[nicko-31]

Greeting's All, I have a old 503 John Deere that is in need of a tail wheel and No one has one and even if I could find it the cost is over $200.00. Has anyone any information on a replacement ?? Thank you in advance

 

[Leroy]

Not familar with that model No. and as you say tail wheel makes me think
plow but I never heard of a plow with a model number like that.

 

[nicko-31]

(quoted from post at 17:11:53 06/16/23) Not familar with that model No. and as you say tail wheel makes me think
plow but I never heard of a plow with a model number like that.

My apologies, it is a Rotary Cutter also know as. (Bush Hog) it's only I believe a 5' wide that I use on my Ford 8-N.

 

[caterpillar guy]

Just get a generic and fab it up to fit. Or if brackets are there any wheel that will fit the fork will work.

 

[nicko-31]

(quoted from post at 02:44:22 06/17/23) Just get a generic and fab it up to fit. Or if brackets are there any wheel that will fit the fork will work.

Yes, brackets are still there. I don't have any where near me that I can source a generic wheel. I'll have to check eBay which is always a chance. Usually doesn't go well.

 

[Jim.ME]

It looks like the 503 used a 16-inch or a 12-inch OD tail wheel, depending on the serial number. Both used a 3/4 inch bore bushing. Do you have the remains of the old wheel to compare to those dimensions or get dimensions from the old wheel to look for a new one? You may have to use the dimensions, not just the part number to find a generic one you can make work.

Don't know where or how you are looking but I find many that could be made to work for less than $200. I expect the $200 is from John Deere. Do a web search for rotary cutter tailwheels. eBay, Amazon, DN Equipment, Agri Supply, Zoro, Sloan, and many others have options for tail wheels as well as places that sell rotary cutters.

 

[Leroy]

You might even be able to use a wheelbarrow wheel avaible at a lot of
places, any store that sells wheelbarrows would sell them. And some are a no
flat type as well.

 

[nicko-31]

(quoted from post at 07:29:12 06/17/23) You might even be able to use a wheelbarrow wheel avaible at a lot of
places, any store that sells wheelbarrows would sell them. And some are a no
flat type as well.

Thank you for the replies, I currently have a wheel barrow set up on it but it goes flat due to thorns, also tried the solid type but rolled off the rim first time using it. It is a 12". So. I have installed with washer's to center it on the fork.

 

[Leroy]

So that solid type did you take it back as defective, Should have.

 

[nicko-31]

(quoted from post at 11:33:57 06/17/23) So that solid type did you take it back as defective, Should have.

yes I did take it back. I will get it off the cutter tomorrow and try to get more info so I can make a better view of what to do.