on a lot of the older kubota decks the lower seal was a completely different type of seal. I don't remember the dimensions or numbers but a lot of the lower ones were a grease seal that would deal with higher pressures from greasing the deck. Some also sealed on a spacer or "boss" as Kubota called it which was large dia than the shaft itself.
pull the spindle apart. To get the seals out without damage, sometimes you can knock the bearings out from the inside and it'll push the seal out with it. That assumes there is no snap ring retaining the bearing under the seal.
Yes Auburn got bought out by Ariens a number of years ago. Had a family member who worked there for a little while before the buyout happened. Most of our family lived in Nebrask, most still do really but we are the black sheep rednecks out here in the hills of Arkansas. Yeah we wear shoes. Most of the time.
