When it comes to JDs in my area the biggest problem I am having with the JDs is that there are several different style spindles on the same deck making rebuilding the spindles a pain. If you need to replace spindle shaft is when problem comes in. This all comes in because JD solution is simply selling a will fit spindle when customer need a spindle repaired. An example of this was the X300 I work on earlier. It had two different spindles so part lookup was a pain and finally end installing two new spindle and they were of a third design. At least they made the deck cut level again.
Currently I got a '95 Comm 54" walk behind they are subbing the spindle on and even the sub is on backorder.
Now back to the MTD spindles, the problem I having is one of frustration as no one is on the same page about matching up parts and the AM parts are not helping when it comes to repairs and the stocking of parts.There is at least three blade designs and now at least three different spindle designs. All this is making my job even more of nightmare to straighten out makeshift repairs. What I was trying to do was to standardize my parts inventory with high quality parts. Now I got to go back to substandard OEM blades. By substandard I mean blades that wear out quicker. Those heat treated blades were lasting up to twice as long and didn't bend as easily on impacts due to being slightly thicker.
As I go back I will check out the Oregon blades. I will start to having a 7-10 day delay on getting blades until I can find a new standard that I can stock up on.
At least the AYP/Husqvarna design don't lend itself to this problem with the use of the 5 point star.