Old Servis Mower Problem

[Reverser]

I have an old Servis rotary mower/shredder that has a leak at the front seal. I have started using a straight 120wt grease and it has helped a lot. I don't have to add but once or twice a season.

The problem is that every time I check it, the fluid is milky colored, so I assume it's getting or has gotten moisture in it at some time or other. I don't know how moisture is getting in there as everything is tight.

I would like to completely change the fluid out, but the problem is the uncommon type gear case appears to have 2 chambers for the grease, and I can only suction out the top chamber. The bottom chamber would seem to get greased by the grease seeping past the bearing separating the top and bottom chamber, as this diagram of a similar gear case shows. It no doubt has badly contaminated grease that I would like to clean out.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

My computer won't let me show the pic, but it's page 20 of this link.
http://support.servis-rhino.com/Rhi...0757419P--- CY60 CY72 PUB 08-05 Rev 05-07.pdf

 

[bullbreaker]

Besides taking it all apart you could tap and drill bottom chamber for access. Just make sure you do it towards top (side) of bottom gear box chamber. Like in part #4 of diagram.

 

[Reverser]

I think you meant the area around part #34, but I think you have a pretty good idea.
I could drill a ½" hole and stick a suction tube in there and get most of the old nasty 50 year accumulation of crud out. And maybe then pump it full of cornhead or other type grease.

 

[bullbreaker]

Yes ! Just try to avoid inserting steel shaveings when drilling.

 

[Reverser]

I can see metal shavings causing a problem, and maybe scoring the bearings or shaft. But don't know how they could be avoided when the drill bit breaks through the housing.

I might be better off going to my original plan which was to flip it over on its top (on blocks), and let the contaminated fluid trapped in the bottom fluid chamber, slowly drain through the middle bearing and on out through the fill hole.
It will still leave the more solid gunk there, but at least I would be filling it back up with fresh fluid.