New Holland 256 Repair

[RickB]

I'm not sure the trilobe shafting is an improvement. Most originals last 25 years with reasonable care, and I predict the trilobe's closer tolerance will be prone to seizure in the dusty, dirty environment of the average hay field. Those shafts, when unshielded in PTO applications, take no time at all to become dry and stiff.

 

[Verticaltrx]

I have an old NH #56 rake (same rake, much older) and it needs a lot of the same things. I rebuilt the gear box with new bearings and seals last year, but the shafts are still a bit worn so it leaks oil. They originally called for gear oil as you found, but NH later changed the recommendation to grease since it seemed like no one could keep the seals in them. Last year I ran '00' grease in mine, I may switch to something heavier like standard grease this year. Let us know how the new tri-lobe shaft holds up. I need to rebuild my driveshaft and was thinking of going that route.