deck spindles on a GT2542

[tractor user]

Does anyone know an easy way to grease the deck (blade) spindles on a Cub GT2542?

 

[ran007]

I use a grease gun with a flexible hose fitting. You'll see a service nipple on each of the 4 deck spindles (also an idler pully service nipple). Just place and tighten the grease gun fitting on the service nipple and pump that thing full of No. 2 general purpose lithum grease. They say not to overfill... I pump until I see grease squeeze out the pully. That's when I know it's full.

Attached is a scan from my manual that can help you for a visual. I circled the 4 service nipples you should grease up. It MIGHT be different because I have the GT2544.

 

[tractor user]

Thanks so much for your help and the diagram. As I look at my deck, I see NO lock nuts that hold the spindle covers on. There are bolts protruding upward through the spindle covers-but no nuts or lock washers on them. Is it possible that the hole they are coming thru is threaded, and I'll have to remove them from the bottom-inside the deck housing, above the blades? I plan on going back to the dealership and see if the other ones they have in stock are set up that way or if my bolts are supposed to have the nuts and lock washers on them....

 

[ran007]

On my deck there is not reason to remove the spindle covers. There's a plastic black cap that pops off that reveals the grease nipple. Does yours have a cap like mine?

 

[tractor user]

The spindle covers have a hole on the top of them about the size of a quarter. I haven't looked into them because I thought the zerks would be on the side. I'll look at those opennings tonite and let you know. thanks again.

 

[ran007]

Yeah, just open it up and it will reveal the spindle service nipples to connect the grease gun. You'll be set.

 

[VinceSMTA]

Sounds like you are pointed in the right direction for greasing your spindles...while you have the grease gun on the deck you may as well grease the double pulley (I always forget that there is a grease fitting there)

 

[JTKub]

Just a little dab will do ya fellas in those spindles. I've found the little access holes in the pulley covers to be absolutely useless. You'll find over time that the zerks stop accepting grease and when you *think* grease is going it, it's actually blowing out on top of the pulley under the nice pulley covers. You'll have a nice greasy belt in no time if you're not careful. Funny thing is; and I'm likely incorrect here, but aren't the bearings w/in these spindles actually sealed/shielded ball bearing assemblies anyway? What's the sense in the grease?

Joel

 

[ran007]

Just a little dab will do ya fellas in those spindles. I've found the little access holes in the pulley covers to be absolutely useless. You'll find over time that the zerks stop accepting grease and when you *think* grease is going it, it's actually blowing out on top of the pulley under the nice pulley covers. You'll have a nice greasy belt in no time if you're not careful. Funny thing is; and I'm likely incorrect here, but aren't the bearings w/in these spindles actually sealed/shielded ball bearing assemblies anyway? What's the sense in the grease?

Joel

You make a good point, but the manual (attached) indicates that you should listen to the crackle sounds coming out of the seams. I pump until I barely see the first bit of grease slip out of the seam. I do get a little mess after the first mow, but not too bad. Your mileage might vary I guess.

 

[cager]

Might be a little difference between a 2542 and a 2554 which I have...but I usually give each of the spindles...and the other zerks on the deck too...2-3 pumps of grease...just enough for me to see the grease ooze out.