Well, thanks for all of the help and info! With the help of everybody, i finally decided i'd might as well go fix it myself!
I got a friend to come over, we installed the deck and the new belts, learned to never take another one like it in for repairs, and started it up. It runs, the belts stay on-don't jump off, don't slip, all seems good!
BUT----
There is an annoying click in the new spindle that was installed by someone else, at some period past!
So, that is the owners problem, i'd say. What say you?
Of course, i don't expect an answer-seems like everybody is setting on their hands this week. So be it.
By: Rusty Jones

I would agree and say it is certainly the owner's problem, although I guess you could ask him if he wanted you to replace it for $? It is a used, preexisting spindle so there should be no argument about why the noise. I assume you checked that the pulley is tight on the spindle to torque specs? A very slightly loose pulley (not fully torqued) would/could cause a clicking sound like that.

Rusty,

Sorry, I don't know how I missed your original post or I'd have helped.

As far as the clicking, that is odd. I think Larsol's idea is as good as any. Also, sometimes those cast iron pulley on the old one have no key - instead they have a hole with two flats on it. Makes getting them apart easier, but the due sometimes wear and you get some play on the pulley to shaft connection. But when I have seen it they did not "click".

Good luck

Well, the man said it had been doing that clicking forever, and didn't want to buy another spindle, so i collected my stipend and sent him and his tractor on his way. I have a friend locally who is a Wheel-horse collector, and he set me straight on how the controls work on the particular model. thanks for the reply. Rustyj

Glad the customer is satisfied.

Ironic I missed your post or I would have helped!

cheers

I need to replace the mower deck belt and pulleys on my wheel horse 312-8. I don't know what the step by step process is. Can someone assist. I don't have the owners manual.
Thanks

You must write down the model numbers, engine type, tranny type, size of deck, number of belts. etc. then go poke around in the various tractor columns here, and see what you can find. There are Yahoo Clubs on the computer, and some careful digging in them will get results. look for Yahoo Clubs/Wheel horse tractors..
Hardware store or auto parts store belts will be unsatisfactory, unless they deal in the make.
To install the belts--make a careful drawing of how the old ones are presently installed, and go from there. From past experiences, i know you will never remember how the belts go back on! Just about the time you finally think you have the belt pattern all figured out, in yer head, yer wife will call you to come do something for her, and by the time you get back to it---guess what---you will have forgot!
Also-check in Yahoo Groups, for the wheel-horse tractor club, and post a question there.