Mowing Bush Hog blade bearing and seal

[ericdreflak]

My bush hog is ten years+ old and just blew the blade seal (leaking out the bottom), I am sure I need bearings also but have never done this. Is there anyone that has been through this and can give me some tips?
Thanks
Eric

 

[LD1]

It is definatally not a beginner job If you are talking about replacing the bearings.

You need to have a decient shop with some large tools (3/4 drive, pipe wrenches, impact, etc)

Old farm equip is a PITA to work on and get fastners busted loose. Once the center nut is off the bottom (which is probabally a 2" nut) you can remove the gearbox from the unit.

If it is similar to mine (model 105), you will have 4 or 6 bolts that hold the output shaft cover on. You can remove this and out shall come the output shaft assembly. Which will have the seal, two tapered bearings, a gear, and then a locknut. If you insist on replacing the bearings, you have to take the locknut off, and then you will need a press, and a bearing spreader to press the gear off. And more than likely a little heat from torches. Once that is off, the rest is easy to take appart to get to the bearings.

The input shaft side is setup the same way.

If you only want to do the seal, you probabally dont even need to remove the gearbox. Just flip the hog over, remove the center nut and stump jumper assembly (which can be tight due to tapered shaft), then pry out the old seal and drive in the new.

 

[j walker]

if you are in a bind and need to get the machine back to work, pack the gear box with bearing grease , works great

 

[Laneman]

I second the bearing grease idea, worked great on my auger. I used a product called cornhead grease, available at any John Deere dealer. It's a little thinner than standard grease and will flow to the ball bearings without leaking past your seal. Another idea is just replace the gearbox with a new bolt on unit. They are not expensive.