duffer
Platinum Member
For some of you "under" experienced tractor and implement owners, it's important to check the bearings on your implements every so often. Bearings take the brunt of the punishment on most implements, and they don't last forever, even the "sealed" bearings.
I got an 84" finish mower about 4 years ago. In the last few months I've noticed the sound of the mower getting louder and louder (first hint of a bearing(s) going out). I've been watching a bunch of farming videos lately, and virtually all of them have noted that they needed to replace bearings on this piece, or that piece of equipment. Got me thinking my bearings on the finish mower might need some attention.
Sometimes you can check for worn bearings by trying to move the spindle back and forth. If it "wiggles" your bearings are shot. My spindles did not move at all, but because of the loudness of the operation I decided to dig deeper.
Tore the 3 spindle assemblies apart yesterday, and here is what I found:
First pic is a "normal" looking bearing, but it is worn out. You can spin it way to freely with a single finger.
2nd pic is worn out bearing and don't put fingers anywhere near it !! (the shreads are from the ball bearings and notice how many little ball bearings are missing)
Obviously, I waited far too long to address the issue. Don't wait as long as I did to check your bearings !
Replacements are very inexpensive (I found Timken bearings...supposedly really good brand @ $10 each on line. Bought 2 complete sets). Replacing the entire spindle, bearings, and brackets is about $300 each, and I have 3 of them on the mower. Luckily I don't have to replace any spindles or brackets. No damage to them.
Just a word of caution for you.
I got an 84" finish mower about 4 years ago. In the last few months I've noticed the sound of the mower getting louder and louder (first hint of a bearing(s) going out). I've been watching a bunch of farming videos lately, and virtually all of them have noted that they needed to replace bearings on this piece, or that piece of equipment. Got me thinking my bearings on the finish mower might need some attention.
Sometimes you can check for worn bearings by trying to move the spindle back and forth. If it "wiggles" your bearings are shot. My spindles did not move at all, but because of the loudness of the operation I decided to dig deeper.
Tore the 3 spindle assemblies apart yesterday, and here is what I found:
First pic is a "normal" looking bearing, but it is worn out. You can spin it way to freely with a single finger.
2nd pic is worn out bearing and don't put fingers anywhere near it !! (the shreads are from the ball bearings and notice how many little ball bearings are missing)
Obviously, I waited far too long to address the issue. Don't wait as long as I did to check your bearings !
Replacements are very inexpensive (I found Timken bearings...supposedly really good brand @ $10 each on line. Bought 2 complete sets). Replacing the entire spindle, bearings, and brackets is about $300 each, and I have 3 of them on the mower. Luckily I don't have to replace any spindles or brackets. No damage to them.
Just a word of caution for you.