RCK60-24B bearing failure ??

Burk · Jun 8, 2004

I dropped my my dealer yesterday and explained what I found with my spindle bearing. The service manager said the water was from washing the mower deck off and not running the deck afterwards to keep the water from working into the bearings. I again explained how much grease I had to put in to get returns. He just shrugged his shoulders. I asked if we should tear the spindle down to check for damage. He said to just run it unless I see a problem. Then, I talked to the manager. He said the service department was suppose to completely grease the spindles in setup, and let him no if I noticed any problem they would cover it. Thanks again for the headsup on this potential problem.

om21braz · Jun 8, 2004

( robertm:
I haven't seen an official spec on the kind of grease to use though various posts have extolled the virtues of people's favorites. Any clues?

Don Sullivan )

I've been using Mobilith SHC460 as we use in shaper spindles built at my place of work. They operate on average of 16 hrs. per day - 5 days a week at speeds to 7200 rpm with a cutter of approx. 40 lbs. aboard. It's done well in those conditions, I'd expect it do well in mower spindle housings. See the link below

http://216.239.51.104/search?q=cache:W5wNfs83ih4J:www.impactengineering.com/advanced_lubricator.html+mobilith+grease&hl=en

Don_Sullivan · Jun 11, 2004

Thanks for the post on Mobilith SHC460 - I checked it out and it looks like really impressive stuff. Suitable for battleships, maybe a little overkill for a BX1500 mower!

I tried the grease spec question on the ace mechanic at my Kubota dealer. He said what's important is not so much the quality of the grease but persistence in keeping up with the lubrication. So I plan to drop my deck from time to time and check out the grease requirements until I get a feel for a reasonable schedule.

Cheers,

John762 · Jun 15, 2004

I've just found that my 7610 with the 60" mmm has the same lack of grease. Even a little water came out the left side spindle. Luckily I only had about 2 hours on the tractor which I got last week. So thanks everyone for being so informative.

Koz · Jun 15, 2004

My spindles were also dry. Each spindle took approx 100 shots of grease. My dealer had absolutely no idea about this and assumed that they were filled by Kubota.

This is a good example of why I see myself logging onto TBN at least once per day for years to come!

r0GuE · Jun 16, 2004

( My spindles were also dry. Each spindle took approx 100 shots of grease. My dealer had absolutely no idea about this and assumed that they were filled by Kubota.

This is a good example of why I see myself logging onto TBN at least once per day for years to come! )

Koz, What'd I tell ya. You've done more research on their product than they have. That is the same feeling I got after dealing with them... /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

WiJC · Jun 16, 2004

i called my dealer about this last night. i was told to just shoot a couple pumps each time i use it...and definitely NOT to fill it up with grease??

not sure what to do now.... /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

John

Burk · Jun 16, 2004

When I talked to the general manager at my dealership about it. He was aware of the mowers being shipped without grease and they knew to grease them before delivery. My concern was with 10 hours of mowing on mine when I pumped it full it shot water out of the spindle. The service manager said the design of the mower deck will allow water into the spindle if you leave it set in the rain or even wash your deck off. If the cavity in the spindle is not full how are you going to keep the water out? They suggested to run the mower deck after you wash it to blow the water out from around the top of the spindle. Once the spindle cavity gets water in it there is not a good way to remove it without pumping it full or tearing it down. So far my tractor has never seen rain, but it does get a bath regularly.

I see no problem in getting the spindle full of grease intially, then going back to the recommendation in the manual or a pump or two every 4-5 hours.

What I don't understand is the amount of people having this problem. I believe my dealer knew what to do but they just plain missed my machine with the grease gun before they delivered it. Hopefully Kubota reads these posts a tries to address the issue again. Thanks to TBN hopefully I caught everything in time.

I was taught to double check things. We have heard of people having loose lug nuts after getting new tires, drain plugs being loose after an oil change, things can and do get missed. I guess it would be a good practice to check out our new purchases also.

I was so excited when mine was delivered, I went straight from the truck to the field. In hindsight, I should have went over everything before going to the field.

Woodsman_Pete · Jun 16, 2004

I found this forum today looking for help on rebuilding the spindles on my RCK60B-22BX, I tore down the center spindle Last Sunday afternoon due to noise and when I pulled the gear box from the top of the deck out of the spindle housing on the bottom of the deck the ball bearings fell out on the floor and the groove in the spindle where the ball bearings ride is broken (piece found after cleaning parts in cleaner). My Bx2200 has about 300 hours on it I bought it used with around 200 on it. I grew up on a farm and I am a project manager for a construction company the cheapest mechanic you will ever find is grease. I have always greased my deck, but purchasing used equipment it is always hard to tell how the previous owner may or may not have maintained the deck. If any one can help with pointers on rebuilding the center spindle it would be greatly appreciated.

lstumper067 · Jun 16, 2004

Kubota should fill them propertly at the factory. asking most dealers' to do is is like asking your brother-n-law to help you repair your barn this saturday...

stumper