Non Greasable Spindles......??

[Crow Horse 8]

What can be done for non greasable spindles? I have a 36" SD deck and want to keep the spindles lubricated. Can I drill & tap for zircs?

[WheelHorse_of_course 99]

Adding zerks could be done, but you would want to disassemble first to keep the chips from falling into the spindle.

If/when I have the pulley(s) off I do try and work in some 3and1 oil into the top bearing, but it is of limited use I suspect.

YMMV!

:thumbs2:

[tarcoleo 119]

Those bearings are probably equipped with seals so that relubrication

might be difficult and not easily accomplished with a squirt. Such seals

can be overcome with pressure obtained with grease fittings

swamp yankee

[WheelHorse_of_course 99]

Those bearings are probably equipped with seals so that relubrication

might be difficult and not easily accomplished with a squirt. Such seals

can be overcome with pressure obtained with grease fittings

swamp yankee

If you rotate the bearing the oil works it way in despite the sheild. The more time you spend, the more you can get it. But it is tedious.

I did this one one of the old cat iron idler pullies with the replaceable bearng. I had not got around to getting the replacement bearing and I could tell it was dry.

The oil definitely made a difference in this case and a year later it still doesn't feel dry.

I do need to get a replacement bearing though.

:scratchead:

[tarcoleo 119]

Rolf,

I don't know what the situation is in this case, but bearings come in

three ways, unshielded, shielded and sealed. Given that there seems to be

no provision here for relubrication, I would suppose that the bearings are

sealed for life, the usual case where dirt and other contaminants are to be

excluded. Sometimes these bearings are only shielded. But like I say,

not sure what gives here. Your idea of carefully drilling and tapping sounds

good. On the other hand, if one can believe these bearing are lubricated for

life, perhaps doing nothing is a good solution.

Tom in RI

:scratchead:

[WheelHorse_of_course 99]

I'll admit it is an assumption but...

I suspect they are only shielded. My understanding is that the sealed ones are very expensive and not seen much outside special applications like food processing.

In any case, the one in my idler did take in some oil with some effort rotating the bearing.

:scratchead:

[WheelHorse_of_course 99]

Tarc

With regards to the spindle, the ones I prefer have roller bearing at the bottom and those will most certainly benefit from a shot of grease now and then.

I have three of these spindles waiting for refurbishment and thhen to go on my spare parts shelf. Two of those have threaded holes I believe are for zerks, though the they are not the same size. I'll have to take them to the auto parts store and get the right zerks.

The third one has no hole, but it will before that one gets re-assembled.

:scratchead:

[TT-(Moderator) 1,162]

Lots of good ideas but they might be worthless if the 36" deck spindles in question are the wrong type.

Quite a few of these 70's era smaller decks had a bearing assembly like this (a.k.a. P/N 103119):

You can drill the spindle housing and insert all the zerks you want and the grease will never get near the bearings.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@Crow Horse: Do you have a model number for this deck? :scratchead:

[WheelHorse_of_course 99]

Lots of good ideas but they might be worthless if the 36" deck spindles in question are the wrong type.

Quite a few of these 70's era smaller decks had a bearing assembly like this (a.k.a. P/N 103119):

Excellent point Terry

I don't like that kind because I can't rebuild them.

:hide:

[tarcoleo 119]

Bearing pictured by TT is a sealed unit. This type of bearing has been

used widely, as in auto water pumps for example.

swamp yankee

[Crow Horse 8]

@Crow Horse: Do you have a model number for this deck?

I received a new spindle bearing and now can see that it's sealed and zerks installed in the spindle housing won't be of any use. Well, it was a noble effort but to no avail.........

My deck is a # 5-0722, 36" SD, 1975.... The bearing it uses is a 103119...................

[can whlvr 994]

I just did the bearings in my 1974 36 rear discharge,stens offers them now as the originals are not to be found at the dealer,at least up here in omtario.they were 50 a peice,ouch!!