Greasing That Darned Land Pride Rotary Cutter!

[VaBeekeeper]

Don't get me wrong, I love the bush hog (Land Pride RCR1272), but I'm having a heck of a time trying to grease the thing- and the manual hasn't been much help. In particular, I have two issues:

First, the manual says to grease the universal joints at each end of the PTO shaft. No problem getting at the side that hooks up to the tractor, but the other side appears to be inaccessible, hidden somewhere inside the plastic cover adjacent to the gearbox. How do I get to this U-joint in order to grease it?

Second, there are two plastic PTO grease nipples on the PTO shaft shroud, one on each end. One of them is easy to grease, but the other... well, I can't seem to engage the grease gun onto the nipple, unless I unscrew the grease gun applicator (is that the right word?) to the point it's about to fall off the gun! Even then, when I go to tighten the applicator, I don't get a seal. The result is that when I pump grease, it ends up flowing around the nipple, with little or none actually going into it. Great for lubricating my concrete floor; not so much for lubricating the implement...

 

[smstonypoint]

For the first issue, I disconnect the shaft from the tractor pto and then angle the shaft left or right to access the zerk in question. Doesn't the shroud have a flap to access the zerk?

For the second issue, try a LocknLube fitting: LockNLube Grease Coupler | LockNLube.

Good luck.

Steve

 

[Oldtink]

A couple of my PTO covers don't actually have a zerk shaped nipple. It's more like a little plastic nipple with a hole in the end. I use the same little grease gun I use on roller nose of the chainsaw.

 

[JRobyn]

On my plastic cover, there is about a 3/4" hole for access to the u-joint grease fitting. If yours doesn't have one, a hole saw would quickly solve that. The little plastic "zerk" nipples on the cover are just for a bit of grease to help them spin freely. I mostly ignore mine. They've gotten a pump or two during their lifetime. I also usually do NOT chain down the plastic cover . Come after me safety police!

 

[dsb5610]

I use a grease needle on the plastic safety shield. Slide it in the hole until it touches then rotate the shield as I pump. I don't use much. Less buildup of grease inside the shield this way.

dsb

 

[2333case]

I experienced the same two issues this weekend that you wrote about. Please tell me how you resolved each one.

 

[VaBeekeeper]

I experienced the same two issues this weekend that you wrote about. Please tell me how you resolved each one.

I was able to resolve the first issue by moving aside the flap that conceals the grease zerk under the plastic cover.

As for the second issue, I have not found a solution. I tried using various adapters, like the one which ends in a needle that looks like it would be used to inflate a football, but no luck. Even once I get a tight seal, the grease won't pump out. Since the PTO shroud is plastic and the zerk is molded into it, I can't just replace it. I really wish I had an answer, but I don't.