I've used a Dixon lawn mower for about 25 years. Not the same one, the first was to small for our then-new property so I bought the one I now have, about 8 years ago.. They've always been reliable, only slightly more expensive than a box store mower, and made in the USA....my old home state of Kansas. So Thursday I was mowing the lawn when all of a sudden the rear hanger bolts for the deck broke. No surprise really, there are so many hidden rocks around here that I've hit I guess I finally stressed them out. Anyway, went to the local dealer to get replacements....nope, no longer available. Huh? Turns out that Husqvarna bought out Dixon a  3 years ago or so, and has discontinued many of the older parts. Now I'm stuck trying to engineer a fix.

Dixon was one of the first if not the first for Zero Turn mowers. Shame how buy-outs/mergers have impacted the Consumer Products Lawn Care over the years.

 

If you have the part number(s) Fred, do a search on eBay or do a search by your mower model number. I've found a lot of new-old-stock (NOS) items for my menagerie of Lawn Equipment. Amazon occasionally surprises you too. 

You might want to look HERE .    I don't know your model # but are they the L bolts ?   Roly

Edited August 4, 20187 yr by Roly

I've done both (jack's and the internet search) with no joy. (They are the L bolts Roly) I've called several dealers within maybe 70 miles or so hoping they would have some NOS stuff, nothing there. I have a temporary fix, but I'm not sure it will last. Like you said Dave, they were the first with a ZTR design....and it's a shame. Anyway, I'll keep looking for some L bolts that I can substitute, and reviewing new lawn mowers. My workaround was to cut the s broken bolt a little shorter and put a coupling nut on it, then some all-thread to make it the right length. Problem is the all-thread is grade 2, and I'm pretty sure the OEM stuff is hardened to some degree.

7 minutes ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

I've done both (jack's and the internet search) with no joy. (They are the L bolts Roly) I've called several dealers within maybe 70 miles or so hoping they would have some NOS stuff, nothing there.

Fred can u post some pictures of it? What size...5/16", 3/8", 1/2" diameter? OA length? Any other relevant specs?

They are a little strange, Dave. The threaded portion is 7/16-14 about 4" long, below that is a smooth part that's 1/2" diameter that adds another 2" or so, then the L leg (also the 1/2"). I've got them back on the mower now and can't get a pic, but here's one that a little shorter. I think I've just solved my problem, I checked McMaster Carr and they have both hardened all thread as well as hardened coupling nuts. I've ordered enough of it to make the repair a little more robust. You have to love McMaster...is there anything they don't have? (OK, I guess they don't have donuts!)

1 hour ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

OK, I guess they don't have donuts!

Dump those losers!

John

I was going to suggest making those. If you have a torch and a hacksaw.

Herb

15 minutes ago, Dadio said:

I was going to suggest making those. If you have a torch and a hacksaw.

Herb

What kind of donuts do you eat out on the left coast?

2 hours ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

(OK, I guess they don't have donuts!)

Check the break room

One in the link are similar to what I was thinking but larger in diameter. Deere uses one on their Lawn & Garden tractors but it's 3/8" NF. They probably use some on the larger compact utilities with a belly mower too. I'm just not familiar enough with the newer models. Likely metric too. No doubt Deere has used something identical within their farm machinery line over the years. I just don't recall.

 

Is the one pictured from Jack's the correct part number for your mower and OAL 3-1/8"? The smaller diameter thread portion indicates to me the threads are pressed or rolled versus cut on 1/2" straight stock, then the angle formed. Much cheaper to produce than cut threads but eventually will fatigue. I'd bet (if I was a betting kind of person), Dixon bought these off the shelf from someone versus making their own.

 

I'll do some more looking too now that I have an idea of the size. Like the X-Files, "they're out there"...just gotta' find them.

5 hours ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

I've called several dealers within maybe 70 miles or so hoping they would have some NOS stuff, nothing there

 

Use the computer.  Search for------dixon and the part number.

What is the part number?  I will look around here for you.

Take the broken parts down to Botkins, OH.  and see what Koenig has....Corner of 274 and Dixie Highway....Lunch at the Inn-Between.....

5 hours ago, Grandpadave52 said:

Is the one pictured from Jack's the correct part number for your mower and OAL 3-1/8"?

Never mind...I re-read your response and let it soak in...so yours is ~6+" OA length, x 7/16" NC thread; ~4" of thread and the "L" 1/2" OD?

Is this used to adjust or level the deck?

Would a "J" bolt work in place of the "L" bolt or would that cause a mis-alignment?

Can the hole on the upper end be slightly enlarged to 1/2"? If so, possibly could use a 1/2" masonry anchor as a replacement. You would just have to drill a hole in the "L" for the cotter/quick pin.

Sounds like your fix will be adequate for now. I'll have to take a look on 8/25. Meantime, I'll keep racking my old brain for a like part from the Green Ag Line... 

8 hours ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

The threaded portion is 7/16-14 about 4" long, below that is a smooth part that's 1/2" diameter that adds another 2" or so, then the L leg (also the 1/2").

 

that bolt isn't special...

thread length too short.. cut some more...

 

https://www.uboltit.com/u-bolts/l-bolts.html

https://www.strongtie.com/anchorbolts_concreteconnectorsandanchors/l_bolt/p/l-bolt

https://www.bayoucitybolt.com/l-shape-anchor-bolts.html

14 hours ago, HandyDan said:

What is the part number?  I will look around here for you.

Dan, I've done that search (Dixon and part number, along with many others. But the part number is 539 114788. As I said, I have a solution for now, but if I could find some I'd buy a spare along with 2 new ones.

2 hours ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

Dan, I've done that search (Dixon and part number, along with many others. But the part number is 539 114788. As I said, I have a solution for now, but if I could find some I'd buy a spare along with 2 new ones.

 

Machinery Trader has two listed at McFarlanes' Machinery 1-608-579-0882 which was updated July 25, 2018 .  McFarlanes' web site doesn't have a search feature so you will have to call tomorrow.

https://www.machinerytrader.com/parts/construction-equipment/search?partnum=539114788&pst=exact

 

https://www.mcfarlanes.net/

 

Hope they have them for you.

 

 

 

Thanks, I will call them.

Dan, I just called McFarlanes. They only had one, but he had another that was close (a little longer and not as many threads). I bought both. If the second one appears to be the hardened material, it should be easy to make it work...so at least I'd have 2 new rear hangers. Thanks for the help.