CT335 question

SABULA FARMER · Aug 9, 2012

Has anyone had an issue with the front axle pivot not taking grease? I greased mine, and it was difficult for it to take grease. Then after I did this, a few very hot days later, I noticed that there was a small puddle of what appeared to be oil just under the front axle pivot. I looked, and the front pivot with the bolt in it, was covered in oil. I looked high and low for a possible oil leak and found nothing. The axle is approximately 8 inches forward of the front of the engine..no way oil would blow forward through the fan to cause this. Is it possible that the grease melted and leaked a bit causing this issue?
Opinions??
Thanks.
S.F.

gullyf · Aug 9, 2012

Yeah, actually, no luck in getting our 335SST to take any substantial grease there yet either. Might have taken a little, but no oozing out anywhere. Only about 90 hours on it so far and most of those are with the backhoe going, so I am not particularly concerned as of yet, but it would be interesting to know if this is a common issue. Haven't tried taking the weight off the front end with the loader yet... that should allow some pivoting as well, which might help. Doubt that the zerk is at fault, but will also pull it at some point just to be sure it is clear.

Highly unlikely that the grease would melt to the point that it looks like oil in my opinion... I don't recall there being anything that would generate that kind of heat there (though I haven't been crawling under it lately), and you would have to be oscillating the front end at some serious frequency to build up enough heat that way I would think.

My 2 cents, if it is worth even that much

SABULA FARMER · Aug 10, 2012

I dont know what else it could be. there is no oil lines, or hydraulic lines near the area...has to be grease that melted, thats the only thing in the area...

jrpat · Aug 14, 2012

I have had the same problem with my ct235 taking grease. It will take grease about every other time. I changed the zerk, but that wasn't the answer. I too wondered if picking up the front end with the loader would solve the problem. I think next time I will run it up to the corner lube shop and have them grease it for me, then I will know. I also noticed that there is nowhere for the excess grease to run out that I have seen. Maybe I will do that tomorrow while I'm on vacation. JP

jrpat · Aug 14, 2012

I took my tractor down the street to the lube shop and had them grease the whole tractor. The front axle pivot that you wrote about again seemed like it wasn't taking grease even with their air powered grease gun. He pulled the trigger on the grease gun, until it wouldn't pump anymore with no grease exiting anywhere. We pulled the zerk and the hole oozed with new grease. I am satisfied (at least with my tractor), that the axle is getting grease. I've decided it's easier for me to just return there for my grease jobs for $7.00. JP

joshuabardwell · Aug 14, 2012

Is that the one on the center of the front axle? That one confuses me too. There's nowhere for the grease to run out, so I never know how much to put in. On another thread, folks said not to force it, because the extra pressure could blow out a seal. They said just put a squirt or two in each time I grease the machine.

jrpat · Aug 14, 2012

Yeah we are talking about the same zerk. That's a good point about blowing out a seal. At least now I know that it's getting grease. I just won't over do it next lube job. I have to pick up 2 filters next week for the hydrostat system. I will ask the service manager when I am there. Thanx. JP

joshuabardwell · Aug 14, 2012

jrpat said:
Yeah we are talking about the same zerk. That's a good point about blowing out a seal. At least now I know that it's getting grease. I just won't over do it next lube job. I have to pick up 2 filters next week for the hydrostat system. I will ask the service manager when I am there. Thanx. JP

If you get an answer from the service manager, I hope you'll post it here, as I would like to get official word, no matter how good the advice on TBN always is.

SABULA FARMER · Aug 15, 2012

I dont think that there is a seal there. It is just a bushing ,for the pivot of the axle. I contacted the shop where I purchased the tractor, he said that there is no place any fluid would leak from that spot, and believes that the grease had melted. I have seen this before, just never on my tractor...