60" MMM Grease Zerks

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: 60\" MMM Grease Zerks

Everyone has made good points on this subject. The bottom line is that the manual is unclear on the frequency and amount of lube required. I will try and send an Email within the next couple of days to Kubota asking for clarification.

John

 

[bigpete]

Re: 60\" MMM Grease Zerks

Here's a big old FWIW....

I mow 3-4 hours total over two mowings each week and lube after the second mowing. How many pumps, you ask? I use my ears.

As the new grease pushes air bubbles and the the old grease out of the races and other points of relief, you can hear the air-ladened grease "crackle" as it curls out of the bearing. Usually it takes 20 pumps, or so, to hear the expulsion (on both my JD 62C and Gravely 50" decks). This doesn't mean the bearing is filled with new grease, but it does mean it is filled. I don't buy into the notion that you can "over-grease" most mower deck bearings. I am sure there are types of bearings that can be over-maintained, but most mower bearings have enough relief that you are simply pushing out the same amount of grease that is pushed in. I imagine that the heat generated in the first few seconds of rotation and friction would dispell any excess or pressure. All mower decks are very high-temp and it is just as important to use the right grease.

 

[bigpete]

Re: 60\" MMM Grease Zerks

I forgot to mention that on two occasions I have replaced the stock zerk fitting on a grease gun because it was either too loose or too tight, making it difficult to pump into the zerks. The replacement zerk nozzle is cheap and easy to find. I would start there if I had trouble with hard-to-grease zerks.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: 60\" MMM Grease Zerks

The extra grease fitting on the right side has me puzzled also??? I know it forces the grease to the lower bearing but why isnt there one on the left? Last year when i removed the blades from my kubota rck60 for sharpening I also removed the dustcaps, snaprings. and washers from the bottom of the spindels. I then greased both left and right spindels with the top fittings and verified that grease was getting to the bottom bearings. It was. -----SOOOO....why they have a spindle with a fitting on the bottom is beyond me??? Maybee when you send your email to Kubota you could ask? It takes me about 4 hours to mow so I grease everytime. The only problem that I have seen with overgreasing is the grease can sling out on your belt and cause it to slip. This happend to me once but a can of degreaser did the trick. Glenn

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: 60\" MMM Grease Zerks

Glen

I already sent the Email to Kubota but did not ask about the extra zerk (haven't noticed it on my mower). I will post the response.

Made many trips through Port Matilda. I have two sons that graduated from Penn State. Nice part of the country.

John

 

[equipman]

Re: 60\" MMM Grease Zerks

Robertm
If you add the grass catcher to that deck, the turbine is driven off a pulley on the right hand cutter spindle. Both of the zerk fittings grease the same bearings, but when you add the additional pulley, accessability is limited, so they added another zerk for convienence. Good question, you are really checking your deck.
Lewis

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: 60\" MMM Grease Zerks

Thanks! Have you ever gotten a responce from kubota? I have tried a few times with no success??? I work at penn state and graduated from here in 1990. Just a quick note to let everyone know how much I enjoy this site---Great info and great people. Thanks Much. Glenn

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: 60\" MMM Grease Zerks

Glen

Yes, I have sent Kubota two emails and got responses to both. The one that I sent today is the third. They usually respond in two to three days.

BTW... I think I own something at Penn State. I made payments for 9 years but never got the title to anything. I keep checking the mail! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: 60\" MMM Grease Zerks

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I have two sons that graduated from Penn State. Nice part of the country.)</font>

Both my father and I are Penn State grads from U-Park. Yes, it's a nice area, albeit a bit "nippy" in the winter!

 

[MikePA]

Re: 60\" MMM Grease Zerks

This message is coming at you from State College, PA, from a PSU graduate, from the Atherton Hotel, having eaten dinner last night at the Tavern Restaurant! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif