When to change bearings in a disc harrow?

[2dawoodz]

When should bearings be replaced on a disc harrow. I have been using a friend's Leinbach for several years considering replacing the bearings. All of the axles still turn fairly freely but sound rough. Should I go with sealed bearings? Thanks for your feedback!

 

[MORRISONSTEEL]

There typically is not a spec to use for these. Everything just needs to turn freely, typically if replacing one (especially if in the middle of the gang) then you should replace them all as it is a fair amount of work. Don't forget that when going back together that the gang MUST be tight or you will break out the center of your disc blades. For me a sealed bearing would be the norm, the question would be re-lube or non re-lube bearings which I am sure opens up a whole new discussion on greasing philosophies (everybody has one). Good luck

 

[RickB]

If they sound dry and rough conventional wisdom would suggest changing all bearings on any gang with those symptoms. Or you could wait for a failure while you are trying to use the disc.........

 

[2dawoodz]

There typically is not a spec to use for these. Everything just needs to turn freely, typically if replacing one (especially if in the middle of the gang) then you should replace them all as it is a fair amount of work. Don't forget that when going back together that the gang MUST be tight or you will break out the center of your disc blades. For me a sealed bearing would be the norm, the question would be re-lube or non re-lube bearings which I am sure opens up a whole new discussion on greasing philosophies (everybody has one). Good luck

To my knowledge these bearing have never been lubed. How would I go about lubing them and what type of lube? Seems lubing would draw considerable amount of soil in the bearing.

 

[MORRISONSTEEL]

To my knowledge these bearing have never been lubed. How would I go about lubing them and what type of lube? Seems lubing would draw considerable amount of soil in the bearing.

Not all discs will have a re-lube bearing, but the choices out there for these bearings are endless and you certainly could go in with a re-lube bearing (still a sealed bearing) and the appropriate flange (grease fitting on one side that matches to a small hole on the outer race of the bearing, dirt is not going to get in there). Nothing wrong either with a sealed bearing that you can't grease as you can attest by your disc having never been greased and the amount of work you got out of it.

 

[bjr]

When should bearings be replaced on a disc harrow. I have been using a friend's Leinbach for several years considering replacing the bearings. All of the axles still turn fairly freely but sound rough. Should I go with sealed bearings? Thanks for your feedback!

If you go for all the bearings, you are a very good friend to the disc owner. I died of sticker shock on bearings from the local bearing store for my 6-1/2' Kingkutter disc (local KingKutter dealer doesn't stock parts). I finally found some replacement import bearings from Agri-Supply. There is a online store called "Locate Bearings" that is a good service as well. And yes, it's some work to strip down a disc to replace all the bearings, you know air impact wrenchs and big sockets and big hammers and lots-O-PB Blaster. Put everything back together with a healthy dose of Antiseize as well. bjr

 

[Gary Fowler]

The bearing in the photo is shot, seal is completely worn out so it is time to change them. I think I would go with a greasable sealed bearing if the cost is similar.
I bought an old disc that has sealed bearing and they were dry but the seals looked good. I had a fitting that I bought somewhere that had a hypodermic type needle on one end and a zerk fitting on the other. I drilled a small 1/16" hole in the top side of steel mounting seal and injected the bearing full of grease by rolling the bearing and pumping grease till it was full. I did all the bearings this way and it is still turning freely with no grinding sound now after 5 years of use. The hole was smeared over with silicone sealer when finished.

 

[2dawoodz]

If you go for all the bearings, you are a very good friend to the disc owner. I died of sticker shock on bearings from the local bearing store for my 6-1/2' Kingkutter disc (local KingKutter dealer doesn't stock parts). I finally found some replacement import bearings from Agri-Supply. There is a online store called "Locate Bearings" that is a good service as well. And yes, it's some work to strip down a disc to replace all the bearings, you know air impact wrenchs and big sockets and big hammers and lots-O-PB Blaster. Put everything back together with a healthy dose of Antiseize as well. bjr

I tried searching "Locate Bearings" for 3 bolt flange bearings but the search required a part # which I have been unable to locate. I found this site but nothing in a greasable 3 bolt flange bearing. Bearings | Flange Bearings | FYH Three-Bolt Flange Unit SBPF2516KG5, 1" Bore Dia., Set Screw | B142962 - GlobalIndustrial.com
Does anyone have any other source suggestions?

 

[MORRISONSTEEL]

Does the bearing link shown match what you need for size? If so the pf205 flange is a very common ntn flange that just about everyone should be able to cross over. It is a 3 bolt flange with a 3" bolt circle intended for bearings from 13/16 - 1" that have a spherical od of 2.047". I would use the pf205 as a search reference and as an alternative online source you might check out motion industries. Good luck

 

[kthompson]

The last time I bought bearings from Agri Supply for my King disk they have made in China, Japan and the USA bearings. I did not get good life from the China bearings myself. The price is lowest on the Chinese and goes up the list as entered. kt