New 1850 (and probably everyone else) grease zerk

[woodlandfarms]

I am going to rebuild the center section of my PT today, and will post pix. But I wanted to let everyone know I found a new grease zerk unmentioned in any of my paperwork.

On the bolt / nut on the lower part of the center section. My tractor has a grease zerk on the knuckle to lube up the lower center section bearing. Well, on this new "bolt" there is a grease zerk on the bottom. I have been using the one on the knuckle, but never knew about the one on the bottom...

Carl

 

[J_J]

I am going to rebuild the center section of my PT today, and will post pix. But I wanted to let everyone know I found a new grease zerk unmentioned in any of my paperwork.

On the bolt / nut on the lower part of the center section. My tractor has a grease zerk on the knuckle to lube up the lower center section bearing. Well, on this new "bolt" there is a grease zerk on the bottom. I have been using the one on the knuckle, but never knew about the one on the bottom...

Carl

Carl, Pt has about the worst documentation of their products, than any other manufacturer. It's like they do not want to put out the data, pictures, and diagrams, and what they do put out is not always correct. They have been criticized from day one, and they still don't get it. I don't think they will ever change, with the current staff, and owner.

Are you going to seperate the PT, and replace all the bearings and pins, etc,
otherwise, tighten everything up? Good luck to you.

 

[MossRoad]

I am going to rebuild the center section of my PT today, and will post pix. But I wanted to let everyone know I found a new grease zerk unmentioned in any of my paperwork.

On the bolt / nut on the lower part of the center section. My tractor has a grease zerk on the knuckle to lube up the lower center section bearing. Well, on this new "bolt" there is a grease zerk on the bottom. I have been using the one on the knuckle, but never knew about the one on the bottom...

Carl

Our PT425 doesn't have one on the knuckle, just one underneath coming up through the end of the bolt.

 

[KentT]

Our PT425 doesn't have one on the knuckle, just one underneath coming up through the end of the bolt.

Mine also, of course I think it's configuration is essentially identical to yours...

 

[Bob999]

The manual that came with my 1845, on the page headed "Service Instructions" includes the following:

"Grease the two grease fittings in the center section...."

On my machine there is a zerk fitting at both the top and the bottom of the center connection.

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

The manual that came with my 1845, on the page headed "Service Instructions" includes the following:

"Grease the two grease fittings in the center section...."

On my machine there is a zerk fitting at both the top and the bottom of the center connection.

My 1845 has 3 zerks. One on top center ball joint pointing up, one on the bottom joint, pointing down, and one on the bottom joint, in the side of the ball joint housing, that you can reach from the right side.

Speaking of zerks, I had a spindle on my mower come loose, drop down and break off the zerk. We finally had to disassemble the spindle and put it on a bench, wear out three drills getting it out, and then tapping for a new one. I called Terry to see if they'd gotten a special on surplus case hardened zerks. It sure would have been nicer if it had been soft enough for an easy out to grip it.

 

[woodlandfarms]

On the 1850 manual it says Grease the three grease fittings on the center section. In the diagram it points to the grease fitting under the cover that holds the upper connection arm and the upper and lower joint connections. It does not mention 2 zerks on the lower connections

 

[toy]

Charlie Iliff I like to use left hand drill bits to get out broken bolts and zerks and such. I have mentioned this before but when youre drilling in reverse and the bit gets a bite biggest part of the time it will spin out the broke off bolt or zerk without having to even use an easy out, have you ever tried one. When putting in new grease zerks I don't tighten them very tight that way they are easier to get out if they break. The trouble with easyouts that I have had is when you start turning them they seem to sweel out whatever you are trying to remove.

 

[Bob999]

My 1845 has 3 zerks. One on top center ball joint pointing up, one on the bottom joint, pointing down, and one on the bottom joint, in the side of the ball joint housing, that you can reach from the right side.

Speaking of zerks, I had a spindle on my mower come loose, drop down and break off the zerk. We finally had to disassemble the spindle and put it on a bench, wear out three drills getting it out, and then tapping for a new one. I called Terry to see if they'd gotten a special on surplus case hardened zerks. It sure would have been nicer if it had been soft enough for an easy out to grip it.

After reading your post I began to wonder if I had a grease fitting I didn't know about. I carefully inspected both the top and botton ball joint fitting and there is only one zerk on each.

Apparently this is another area where PT has made changes over time. As I recall you purchased your 1845 a year before I purchased mine.

 

[ponytug]

It sounds as if the zerks are vintage, and model dependent. To add to the mix, my 2007 1445 has four zerks for three bearings in the center section;
1) forward, in the tunnel, under the warning plate
2) top bearing, right side access
3) bottom bearing right side access
4) bottom bearing left side access

I asked Terry if #3 and #4 were different, he said, no, just ease of access. There is no bottom side zerk on mine.

I hope this helps,

Peter