Finish mower bearings.

[gschones]

I have a King Kutter FM60 which has only been used twice. It has already shelled a bearing in one of the spindles. I ordered a bearing set online but they were typical Chinese bearings and they did not look to be very high quality. I went to my local Fleck Bearing company and had them match them up. They sell industrial bearings for machinery and transmissions. They had high quality bearings that were about the same price. However they were sealed bearings as where the original bearings were open since they are greased by the spindle. The guy at Fleck said that I can pop out the seals on his bearings if I want them open but he recommended that I just leave them sealed with the grease inside. He is convinced that they will out last the others if I leave them sealed. Has anyone ever had any experience with this? I am leaning towards popping the seals out of his bearings and greasing up the spindles. What do you think? Gary

 

[torqotrac]

Popping is an overstatement (plastic seals only). Usually just the tip of a pocket knife. I have done it many time on vacuum cleaners, alternators , drill motors. If you can be sure the zerks will service the bearings use them. Otherwise you could repack after lifting off the plastic seals

 

[gschones]

Popping is an overstatement (plastic seals only). Usually just the tip of a pocket knife. I have done it many time on vacuum cleaners, alternators , drill motors. If you can be sure the zerks will service the bearings use them. Otherwise you could repack after lifting off the plastic seals

Thanks. I think that I will remove the seals and let the grease zerks do their job. I don't see how the sealed bearing could hold up. The guy also told me that putting too much grease in the spindles can cause the bearings to fail. That may have been my problem to begin with.

 

[JKR]

I would leave the new baring sealed. When you open the end to add grease you also add DIRT. Dirt is what kills mower barring. That's my .02 cents of info.

 

[gschones]

I would leave the new baring sealed. When you open the end to add grease you also add DIRT. Dirt is what kills mower barring. That's my .02 cents of info.

Thanks for the advice. I appreciate it. I have zero experience with this so it all helps. I am on the fence on this. I am curious if anyone else has run into this.

 

[Eric C]

I will take my chances on over greasing everyday.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

leave them sealed. They will last until the seal wears out.

 

[gschones]

leave them sealed. They will last until the seal wears out.

Good point. I can leave the sealed and still put grease in the spindle right?

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Good point. I can leave the sealed and still put grease in the spindle right?

No need.

 

[gschones]

I will give it a try. Thanks Kyle.