Need help finding a bearing...

[MHarryE]

Grease injector needles are available from stores like NAPA and O'Reilly's. if I copied this right the following link should take you to O'Reilly's. I've known several farmers who use these to grease their sealed bearings t the end of a season - grease and rotate a few turns to distribute to make sure the grease is distributed. Can't tell you if it is the right thing to do or not but those who do swear by it.

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/d...se+gun+needle_-1_-1&keyword=grease+gun+needle

 

[woodlandfarms]

I am in the midst of a bearing replacement as well on my mower deck ( three spindle, belt drive hydraulic). Mine are not sealed. It is a very basic design, basically a trailer axle, housing and bearings mounted vertically, The top bearing has two issues, it is exposed to the elements and I don't feel it can get properly lubricated. How in the heck is grease going to get up into those bearings. They sit in the sun, grease melts and drips down, out of the bearing.

Of of mine was rusted. Really frustrated but now I am going to fill the shaft area with grease and hope work on an updated maintenance plan that involves getting those upper bearing repacked.

 

[rtimgray]

There is no way to get grease into this bearing without completely disassembling that particular disc mower section. You have to take off the disc (I've alway's heard them called "turtles") and then you have to unbolt it from the bar assembly and pull it out. Then you have to remove a locknut, then pull the drive gear off, then you can have access to the bearing. If I'm going to go through all of that, I'm going to just replace the $30 bearing instead of greasing it.

Thanks for the suggestion though. I've got a needle attachment for my grease gun but have never had the opportunity to use it.

 

[Soundguy]

sealed bearings are not a lifetime investment. they will wear out too...

 

[LD1]

sealed bearings are not a lifetime investment. they will wear out too...

Faster than a non-sealed bearing that gets proper greasing in my experience. I hate sealed bearings...

Give me a open bearing with a grease fitting and an external seal any day over a sealed "lifetime warranty" unit.

 

[Soundguy]

Faster than a non-sealed bearing that gets proper greasing in my experience. I hate sealed bearings...

Give me a open bearing with a grease fitting and an external seal any day over a sealed "lifetime warranty" unit.

yup.. bearing with seperate seal and a grease fitting. I'll take that too.

 

[rtimgray]

I've usually seen sealed bearing used in applications where there is a likelihood of grime/grit/foreign material getting into the bearing on a regular basis, or where the bearing will be basically inaccessible to routine greasing. I know I don't expect a sealed bearing to last forever, but in some applications is may be preferable.

I think in my case, it was probably designed that way because the bearing is not easily accessible or serviceable - that's my guess, anyway. I'll let you guys know how long it lives with an open bearing.

Good luck and take care.

 

[crazyal]

Kind of reminds me of the "heavy Duty" univeral joints for cars that don't have zerk fittings. The seals only hold the grease in for so long and once the bearing starts to get play the seal is even less effective. Some applications require a sealed bearing so you're kind of stuck but when possible I also like a separate seal and easily greased bearing.

 

[sixdogs]

I couldn't open the link but everyone should have one of those needle grease injectors. If it doesn't have a grease fitting I get at least some in with the needle tip and have had very few failures from sealed bearings that way.

Grease injector needles are available from stores like NAPA and O'Reilly's. if I copied this right the following link should take you to O'Reilly's. I've known several farmers who use these to grease their sealed bearings t the end of a season - grease and rotate a few turns to distribute to make sure the grease is distributed. Can't tell you if it is the right thing to do or not but those who do swear by it.

Dorman® Champ™ 9-766 - Grease Injector Needle | O'Reilly Auto Parts