I'm ordering the decals for the 42" mower deck on my '73 GT-12 and need to get the correct OPEI decal (silver traingle with black lettering). The deck is a LATER REPLACEMENT, and originally came in black with the decals in the second pic. The first pic is my deck that is missing the OPEI decal (as well as the serial tag). From looking at pics of decks on '77-'82 closed-side Jacobsens, I believe that I need the 1980 OPEI decal as opposed to the 1977. Does anyone here have one of those tractors with the decal still on the deck? My deck has the newer style spindles and no guard loops on the forward end. Thanks in advance.

Later 42" Jacobsen Deck Opei Decal Date?
#1
OFFLINE
Posted April 04, 2013 - 04:00 PM
#3
OFFLINE
Posted April 04, 2013 - 06:08 PM
Thanks for that link Kenny.
#4
OFFLINE
Posted April 04, 2013 - 06:12 PM
That's the one that Bradish parts has......was going to order it if that's the right year. I know need the '77 or '80, just not sure which one.
#5
ONLINE
#6
OFFLINE
Posted April 06, 2013 - 05:44 PM
Both of my decks have a "1974" decal on them.
This is my 1977 closed side 42" deck;image.jpg
The second is from the deck I got with my open side LGT 125.image.jpg
Joe
Hmmmm........what style spindles are on them? And do they have the gaurd by the discharge? I think that the revisions on my deck didn't come out until about '80....
#7
ONLINE
#8
OFFLINE
Posted April 07, 2013 - 02:06 AM
Yeah, those both have the earlier spindles and guard by the discharge.
#9
OFFLINE
Posted April 07, 2013 - 08:16 AM
All decks from 72-83 (up to 87 for Jacobsen) had the guard by the discharge.
#10
OFFLINE
Posted April 07, 2013 - 11:50 AM
I think this is where the Jacobsen and Ford decks may deviate to some extent. I've attached a pic of an '82 Jacobsen (robbed off of another forum) that doesn't show the guard. Also attached is a parts diagram for a model UT-36037 that I found here, which looks exactly like my unit. I know my deck (and the one like it currently on ebay) never had them. I contacted the seller of the ebay deck, but they were not able to provide me with the OPEI date off of theirs. They did tell me that it's a model # 59864 though. Why these decks came in black is beyond me....the only thing I can figure is that they were meant to be a replacement for either Fords or Jacobsens. Kinda at a dead end on this decal issue I guess.....just too obscure.