Farmall A Woods Belly Mower

CharlieNJ · Aug 20, 2013

So, I"d like to order new blades for the Woods mower on my "41 A. The discharge is on the left hand side, so does this make it an L 59? Can I be sure in ordering L 59 blades or should I check some other way?
Bought this tractor stuck, but she had new tires. Got it free after a piston barbeque, swapped the pistons with ones I had. New rings, new bearings, seals, carb from YT, etc. Runs wonderful, cuts nice.
Best Regards,
Charlie

jgriff · Aug 20, 2013

Woods part number should be on the blades.

Gerry Powell · Aug 20, 2013

Your deck is most likely probably 100% a L59 since it's white. The 59s are yellow. The spin of the PTO makes it throw left. What makes it different from a regular 59 is 3 things 1. the spindles have a left hand thread to attach the blades 2. the blades are for a CCW spin 3. the baffle under the mower is left center side of the deck. If it cuts it has the right blades. To check stand on the right side of the deck and look under at the blade. Turn the blade so you're looking on it's end. The cutting edge will be on your right, so it'll be the leading edge of the blade for CCW spin viewed from the top of the deck.
Gerry

On a second look at your deck, what brand is it? Doesn't look Woods since it's got 4 pulleys on the top of the deck. The Woods L59 and 59 only has 3 pulleys on the top of the deck. The mule drive looks Woods.

Crookedwrench · Aug 20, 2013

Park the mower on concrete- set your height adjustment. Lay a 4' level on top of the mower. They cut much better if the front end is about 1/4-1/2" lower than the back. I don't know why, but a Wood's owner's Manual will suggest it, and I have found it made a big difference in my L59

notjustair · Aug 20, 2013

That looks nothing like my L59. I got mine from the original owner, so I can say for sure that's what it is. The basic shape doesn't look at all woods to me. The guide wheels are mounted different, the belt routing on the mower is VERY different, and the pulleys at the back of the tractor under the PTO are in a completely different place. I'm not sure who else made mowers for the A, but that is not an L59 unless it is the new and improved model or has been heavily modified.

That said, I think my A can cut as good or better than any riding mower. Does a great job.

gene bender · Aug 21, 2013

The spin of the PTO does not determine rotation but the routing of the belt does its all how you wing the belt on the center spindle. Ive had both right and left throw

John M · Aug 21, 2013

Im pretty sure its a Woods 503 mower.

CharlieNJ · Aug 21, 2013

Thank you all for the replies! Gerry, Notjustair, and John M, you fellows have good eyes. I think John M nailed it, because it looks just like the 503 in the pictures in the link below. All this time I never noticed the 4 pulleys, as opposed to 3, and used an L59 manual online to rig the belt for twists. I wonder if the 503 is older, or discontinued, because I can't seem to find a manual for it online? Glad I checked with YT forum before I ordered any blades!
Best Regards,
Charlie
Woods 503 pic

danmcdonald · Aug 21, 2013

Go to the Woods web site manuals are free. The 503 mower is not listed for down load but you can request it and it is still free.

rdpavlis · Aug 21, 2013

I have an L503 just like that on my Farmall A. The one you have shown in the picture is missing the upper belt guard and the side chute. I bought mine new back in 1994 and it still looks new even though I have cut a lot of grass with it. I think Woods discontinued the L503 sometime as I looked in their catalog several years ago and didn't see it listed. It is a well made mower with a heavy metal deck. One thing I don't like about it is the small gauge wheels; because if you are mowing in the least bumpy ground the mower really bounces. I am amazed that the drive belt lasts as long as it has as I have only replaced it once. It twists and turns around all those pulleys when it runs. When I replaced it several years ago it did cost nearly $100 from Woods dealer (probably could have gotten cheaper somewhere else). Roger

stumper · Aug 22, 2013

I have got the cheep belts, don't waste your money, they don't last, stumper

CharlieNJ · Aug 22, 2013

Hey, thanks Dan! I went on the Woods site, requested the manual for the L503A, and they sent it via e-mail the next day in a PDF file. Thanks for the tip!
Best Regards,
Charlie

Owen Aaland · Aug 22, 2013

(quoted from post at 21:01:35 08/20/13) Park the mower on concrete- set your height adjustment. Lay a 4' level on top of the mower. They cut much better if the front end is about 1/4-1/2" lower than the back. I don't know why, but a Wood's owner's Manual will suggest it, and I have found it made a big difference in my L59

If the back of the deck is lower than the front the grass is cut about twice as much. The front of the blade cuts the grass off the stem and then as the mower goes forward the back of the blade is lower so it continues to cut a little more off all the time until the grass stem passes out the back of the mower deck. If the front of the blade is lower the grass will not be cut any more once it passes by the spindle.

Farmall A Woods Belly Mower

CharlieNJ

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jgriff

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Gerry Powell

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Crookedwrench

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notjustair

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gene bender

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John M

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CharlieNJ

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danmcdonald

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rdpavlis

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stumper

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CharlieNJ

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Owen Aaland

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