Spindle Bearing Upgrade?

[Bill D 2,278]

I was wondering if anyone uses 6203-ZZ bearings when rebuilding their spindles?  I usually use 6203-2RS bearings and remove one seal.  Unfortunately, when filling with grease I often blow out the other seal.  Would installing a 6203-ZZ bearing with one shield removed help stop the blowout when greasing?

[peter lena 9,309]

@BillD  regularly use that 6203 2rs c3 , never had a failure or noise , with  clean out and  lucas  green chassis grease , also have them in all my mule drive set ups , decks turn by hand at  mule  drive  down belt  , initial pto lever spin up  is very quiet and easy . no seal blow outs . pete

[ebinmaine 72,988]

5 hours ago, Bill D said:

blow out the other seal.

 

What's your filling procedure? 

Would switching from grease gun to a spray can help?

[wallfish 18,242]

7 hours ago, Bill D said:

Unfortunately, when filling with grease I often blow out the other seal.

Remove both seals and grease them per the manual. Or leave both seals on the bearing and don't grease them as the seals will prevent dirt from entering the bearings as plus hold the existing grease in place.

Personally, I'd choose to leave both of the seals on and leave the grease gun alone. 

 

[JoeM 8,429]

12 hours ago, wallfish said:

I'd choose to leave both of the seals on and leave the grease gun alone.

I have some like this running now at least 5 years. 

I started out with doing just one and it is just as smooth as it was when installed. 

I figured the mule drive bearings are sealed and some of those are 25 years and counting.

 

I know the ZZ bearings are used in the PTO. I wondered if there was a total seal this is what I found out. Based on the info, no go for the application.

Edited August 6 by JoeM

[lynnmor 7,858]

A number of zero turn mowers now use spindle bearings with type RST bearings.  They have metal shields with rubber seals inside giving them better performance.

[John c 101]

So what was the OEM's design intent when they provided a grease fitting at the top of the spindle shaft ?

 

 And what was the bearing/seal situation in the original deck spindles ?

[JoeM 8,429]

4 hours ago, John c said:

So what was the OEM's design intent when they provided a grease fitting at the top of the spindle shaft ?

 

 And what was the bearing/seal situation in the original deck spindles ?

30/40 years ago greasing was the way to go. I figure the newer greases combined with better bearing manufacturing processes, eliminate the old school process. 

The grease-able spindles had one rubber seal removed from both top and bottom bearings on the inner side. Greasing the shaft made the cavity full and bearings lubricated.

Most all failures I have seen are contamination. One big one is when the grease only tracks through one bearing and the other one is starved right from the beginning. On grease-able spindles, I like giving a few slow shots of grease and turning the shaft a few turn and repeating until grease come out of both top and bottom bearings. 

Just like @Bill D is trying to do is prevent seal failure. String, fishing line, things wrapping around the spindle and getting under the bottom bearing cup tearing the seal.....dirt enters.