After having a few problems last year with my 42" deck I got to thinking that it might be nice to have a backup mower deck (perhaps mounted on a nice looking 1053) in case I encounter problems in the future. I have had a 38" (measures about 37-3/4" across the blades) mower deck that I got with my second 1050 sitting around and decided to dig it out yesterday and try and return to service. Took a good look at it and I think even though it has been patched and has some cracks in the deck I can repair it. Took some pictures of the deck that show some of the cracks so other members can see where this style of deck is prone to cracking after years of grass cutting duties. One thing that I always found strange is the two belt guards - they look factory made but are not illustrated in any of the 38" deck parts manuals I could find so I am thinking they have been added from some other attachment?? I do have the gear box for the deck as well but have it sitting on a shelf and forgot to take pictures of it - one lower corner of the casing appears to have been broken out at one point and welded back in. I took pictures of the support plate the gear box bolts to and it appears to have been broken and welded back together at some point as well so I am assuming the deck ahs had a rough life. One of the lower skid plates that go between the blade surround and the rear of the deck is missing - perhaps it broke off and got jammed in a blade somehow causing the support plate to break or something else happened? Some people may argue the deck is not worth repairing but I hate to see any Tube Frame attachments recycled into scrap metal so I am going to try and bring it back to life. The model number is not readable on the decal but I think I can figure out from the various parts manuals how things go together. I will have to strip the deck and then cut off the patches and repair or replace any cracked areas - should keep me amused for a few weeks (or months).