10' Kodiak? rotary cutter (Bush Hog) gear oil leak

[Simpsons8]

I'm new here, so I hope I can get some help. I have a couple of questions:

Q1: I bought a used 10 foot bush hog and I think it is a Kodiak??....I can't make out the name but there is a picture of a standing bear on both cutter gear boxes. Can anyone tell me if that is the symbol for Kodiak or something else?

Q2: This bush hog is leaking gear oil from both cutter gear boxes. I've pulled both seals and replaced them but it still leaks??

Q3: If this is a Kodiak, where can I get parts for it? I bought the oil seals from an auto parts store the OD and ID were correct, but the thickness was a little bit smaller than the original seal. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[countrybumpkin]

I have a 6 foot HD model but mine didn't have that image on it. What seals are leaking, input shafts or output shafts? I'm guessing the leak is between the seal lip and the shaft, if so did you check to make sure there was no groove in the shaft where the seal goes also check to make sure the vents for the gear boxes are clean and open if not they will build up pressure and push oil out. If the auto parts store seal is the correct dimensions , no reason it should not have worked they usually just don't last near as long as a heavier type seal.

 

[Hill Billy Bob]

The seals should work even if a bit thinner.....as long as the OD and ID are the same as the ones removed.

Some of the causes of seal leakage after replacement, Damage to seal during installation, wear groove in shaft where seal rides, corrosion or other damage to seal bore in housing, bad or loose bearing that allows shaft to beat the seal to death.

If seal didn't fail until after extend use (oil getting good and warm), then maybe you need check or install a vent on the gear boxes, to relieve the pressure caused by the expanding oil and air as it heats up....Hill Billy Bob

PS: countrybumpkin beat me to it by 1 minute

 

[Texasmark]

The seals should work even if a bit thinner.....as long as the OD and ID are the same as the ones removed.

Some of the causes of seal leakage after replacement, Damage to seal during installation, wear groove in shaft where seal rides, corrosion or other damage to seal bore in housing, bad or loose bearing that allows shaft to beat the seal to death.

If seal didn't fail until after extend use (oil getting good and warm), then maybe you need check or install a vent on the gear boxes, to relieve the pressure caused by the expanding oil and air as it heats up....Hill Billy Bob

PS: countrybumpkin beat me to it by 1 minute

+1 on the vented fill screw. It keeps the box from building up pressure when it gets hot, forcing oil out the shaft seal. Auto parts store should have them.

Change the lube. I used Lubriplate 105 which is an engine rebuilding grease but works great on gear boxes. It's thicker than 90 but thinner than #2. It stays much better in the box but is thin enough to get spread all around and keeping things lubed. I hear Corn Head Grease is great too but never heard of it till I read about it on line.

Mark

Mark

 

[Capricious]

"... I used Lubriplate 105 which is an engine rebuilding grease but works great on gear boxes. It's thicker than 90 but thinner than #2. It stays much better in the box but is thin enough to get spread all around and keeping things lubed. ..."



I have a couple of cases of Lubriplate 105 in the garage, from when I used to work a lot on old outboard motors. It has been used for many years for outboard motor lower units with leaky seals, if one did not want to, or could not, seal them up. In fact, you can get 105 in tubes with little pictures of outboard motors on them, instead of pictures of engine internal parts. It was recommended for "non-shift" outboards, but i have used it in a few older outboards with gear shifts and it seems to work fine. However, it stiffens-up quite a bit in winter's cold, although that may be due to water mixing with it. It doesn't run out, that's for sure. The only way to get it out of a lower unit is to dissassemble and dig it out.

Good stuff.

 

[5030]

Fill it with cornhead grease and call it good.

 

[Simpsons8]

Thanks CB! I did check all those things...it is leaking at the output shaft underneath where the blades attach. When I pour the Gear oil in, it started leaking before I could get all the fluid in. After talking to a bunch of people, I think the OD of the seal is too small or somehow worn. I got 2 more seals and going to try that this week. I may try a bead of silicone around the edge as well.

Thanks for the quick reply!

 

[Simpsons8]

Thanks HBB...It does a a vent on it, but per my reply to CB, it starts leaking even before I finish pouring the gear oil in.

 

[Simpsons8]

Hey 5030, where do I get cornhead grease? And won't the gears just throw it to the side of the box and therefore not lubricate after a while?

 

[Xfaxman]

Here is another thread about corn head grease: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/parts-repairs/319937-00-grease.html#post3870010