Rotary Cutter Best gearbox oil change methods, brush hog.

[Soundguy]

fill with mineral spirits or diesel then use a venturi syphon attachment on your air line blow gun.

invert mower ( fel? ) and drain n flush.

variations of #1 using different suction devices.. etc.

 

[smstonypoint]

Wouldnt surprise me.

Sometimes I top off with GL, sometimes I top off with 00 grease. No rhyme or reason, just whatever I grab.

I found the thread -- Kodiak specifies EP-0.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/342154-kodiak-rough-cut-mower-s.html

Steve

 

[Coyote machine]

Flipping a cutter over is a five minute job with a loader or a boom. I am not sure that I would worry about it much. You will eventually ruin the seal and it will drain out on it's own. Then you replace the seal and lube or switch to Cornhead grease.

Yes, I get that I can flip the hog on it's side. It's not a bad idea, and I could get the gear oil changed out as well as doing some blade sharpening, etc. while it's draining.
What is cornhead grease's advantage, if any, over dino 80-90 weight, recommended by Woods?

Is greenish color stinky liquid from the gearbox a sign of still usable grease? I've had this hog for about 4 seasons, but it's only had bare minimum of use in two of those seasons, 1 it sat under covered ShelterLogic building and last winter it sat out bareazzed in the weather. I thought maybe it got some condensation or possible water in the vent hole since it was under tons of snow all winter.....

Thanks,

CM

 

[Soundguy]

some gear oils stink mor ethan others. some hypoids do exhibit a greenish tint either from dye or just light refraction.

If the fluid is not emulsified with water, it's probably OK.. but .. it's easy enough to change.. so you might as well do it.

Cornhead grease is a JD product. It is a NLGI 0 EP poly urea based grease.

00 greases are commonly used in lawn/landscaping drive gear boxes. Some people use the term loosely also with these thin greases and marine lower end lube.

Keep in mind you can ( or could, probably still can ) find gear oils in ranges up to 300w last I checked.

SOME equipment specs 0 or 00 greases or different weight gear oils depending on use. I have a howse HD 10' mower that specifies 0, 00 ep greases or 85-140 ( new updated manual now says 75w90 synthetic ok too ).

A common (bandaid ) practice for a gear box that had leaky seals that would leak out 80w90 gear oils over time was to put a pourable grease in them.

Have to make sure it is a grease that will slump and not cavitate. For instance, adding #2 grease ( regular gun grease ) to a gearbox will let the gears rotate and quickly form a cavity that takes a looong time to slump, especially in colder weather. 0 and 00 greases are more like honey or jelly, and will not form a permanent cavity but instead constantly slump to be redistributed as lube on bearings and gears.. yet retain enough viscosity to not pour right thru slightly worn seals like an oil might.

Another common practice, for those too cheap to buy the special 0/00 grease was to add regular gun grease #2 to a box, then gestimate or experement by adding a little gear oil to the box till they come up with their own custom blend of stiff grease cut with gear oil to make their own farmbrew 0/00 grease

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

I used one of these transfer pumps from Harbor Freight. It's cheap enough to use it and throw it away when you're done.

Multi-Use Transfer Pump

Getting ALL the oil and contaminants out isn't a sure thing with one of these. But it's easy enough to pump it out, then add some oil and run the gearbox a while, and then pump it out again. It was a lot easier (and safer) than flipping the whole cutter upside down or on its side.

 

[ruffdog]

Yes, I flip the decks if there is no drain. It only takes a small amount of water under the lower bearing to freeze (Winter) and push the seal out.

 

[Coyote machine]

Yes, I flip the decks if there is no drain. It only takes a small amount of water under the lower bearing to freeze (Winter) and push the seal out.

I hear you on the water and winter freeze. That's what I want to prevent.

BTW, anyone know a good place to buy hog blades and the rubber or chain guards for the front and back of the hog's perimeter?

 

[Soundguy]

It was a lot easier (and safer) than flipping the whole cutter upside down or on its side.

Easier is a subjective term... but safer? There is nothing inherently unsafe with flipping a mower over / on it's side.

Safety resides with the user, not the mower.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Easier is a subjective term... but safer? There is nothing inherently unsafe with flipping a mower over / on it's side.

Safety resides with the user, not the mower.

And you do not have to "FLIP" it, just raise up one side till it is about 80 degrees or so then block it with a 4x4. I leave the FEL attached for an extra safety (My LS FEL does not leak down more than an inch in a week so it works as a safety very well)

This is also a good time to check the seal, sharpen and balance the blades if needed .

 

[Gary Fowler]

Some one asked about blades. I have found them at my local farmers co-op, Atwoods and Tractor Supply. You need to know the length since they vary a lot in length. Diameter of pin might also be different, I haven't measured any of them to compare but all the blades seem to be about the same pin diameter.