Ford Bushhog leak fix?

[Indygunworks]

I have an older ford bushog... I paid 250 bucks for it to be delivered. I added universal tractor hydraulic fluid to the resivior in the gear box to lubricate it. Used it all summer and I was checking over things today getting ready for winter and I realized the it was empty. I have included pics of the hog, the gear box, and the shaft under the deck. My question is can I fill this with heavy grease instead of oil so it wont leak but will still be lubricated? If so what sort of grease can I use?

 

[DR7710]

I typically just replace the seals and be done with it, although on a few occasions where I couldn't I have replaced the oil of a leaking gearbox with a heavy weight gear oil. It stopped leaking, but I'm not sure if I shorted it's life or not. Check out the link below. It will give you some good info to help answer your question about using grease.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/oil-fuel-lubricants/100642-00-gear-grease.html

 

[Indygunworks]

Whats involved with replacing the seals? Never done anything like that.... are the gaskets or seals I can pick up at the local seal place (msp seals).... Is there a place I can buy a seal kit? How difficult of a task is this? I rebuilt the cylinders on my backhoe last month and that was the most involved maintenance wise I have ever been, but found it to be somewhat easy if that gives you an idea on my skill level.

 

[hosspuller]

I would use a gear oil... like 90w-120 Not hydraulic oil ... too thin, no EP additives.

Seals. just like anything else. inspect shaft for wear groove. Use a readi-sleeve if grooved.

No grease ...

 

[Turbys_1700]

Fix the seal and then use gear oil...
Some guys will use corn head grease in lieu of gear oil...

 

[Indygunworks]

If I use cornhead grease is there any reason to fix the seals?

 

[Turbys_1700]

Cornhead grease may get you by...
Lots of guys try that before repairing the seals...
IMHO it is worth a try...

 

[DR7710]

Whats involved with replacing the seals? Never done anything like that.... are the gaskets or seals I can pick up at the local seal place (msp seals).... Is there a place I can buy a seal kit? How difficult of a task is this? I rebuilt the cylinders on my backhoe last month and that was the most involved maintenance wise I have ever been, but found it to be somewhat easy if that gives you an idea on my skill level.

Last one I replaced seals on was about 10 years ago, but from what I remember we took the gearbox off the deck to replace the seals. There is a seal where the PTO comes into the gearbox and a seal at the bottom where it connects to the blade. If you have the model number of the bush hog you could do an internet search for the seals or just call your local New Holland dealer. If you can't find them at either of those, you could take the seals off and take them to a local industrial parts supplier. I've had to do that with a few bearings and seals before. Like hosspuller said, be sure to check your shafts for wear and use a gear oil, not hydraulic. A damaged shaft won't let it seal properly and can tear your new seals. Also, before sliding the new seal on, I usually wipe a little oil on the seal where it meets the shaft just to keep from damaging the new seal.

 

[Indygunworks]

What sort of grease would tractor supply carry that I could try first?

 

[paulharvey]

What sort of grease would tractor supply carry that I could try first?

#00 pour able grease. I found it at one of my local TSC stores. I'm using it in the gear box of my old ford fail mower. It comes in a bottle just like gear oil, and is with the gear oils; not with the grease.