Sealed bearings and spindles

[MossRoad]

Given that level of use and that maintainence schedule, I'll wager if you disassemble and inspect one spindle before ordering bearings, you will put it back together with new seals and go have a beer rather than replacing all the bearings.

Once I have it apart, I'm changing the bearings. Then I'll be good to go for another decade. :laughing: And I'll still have that beer.... maybe two. :drink:

 

[Bird]

Once I have it apart, I'm changing the bearings. Then I'll be good to go for another decade. :laughing: And I'll still have that beer.... maybe two. :drink:

I sure understand that. I don't know how many times I've bought new parts, torn something apart only to find that the new parts weren't really needed, but I put the new parts in anyway.

 

[3238dpw]

So this is an interesting conversation. Please look at the video. Essentially my mower is the same as pictured in the video. I would have to fill up a large cavity with grease before I can press out dirt from a bearing. Secondly I have heard that it is bad to have the cavity full of grease as it the bearing have no way to cool (?). So there is a bearing on the top, and on the bottom. Lets say I pump 10 squirts of grease into the zert as recommended. THat puddle of grease is hanging in the cavity wall, or maybe just falling down to the bottom bearing. Nothing is getting the top bearing. OK so maybe the spindle gets hot and the grease melts, still don't see how it is getting pulled up to the top bearing. Thoughts anyone?

I find this all interesting about cooling. To add another wrinkle into this. I have commercial zero turn mowers that I run in my business. Most are going to greaseless bearings but one of mine is still greaseable. One of the spindles failed and I went to my local mower shop to get new bearings for it. The owner there I put a lot of faith in. He has been able to diagnose things over the phone that had several people stumped. I have never seen him stumped. He got me completely sealed bearings and said that mine that are in there are sealed. I said why do we grease it then. He said the only reason is to cool the spindle.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I've been mowing with a Grasshopper mower for quite a few years now... My dealer is a CIH dealer and has one of the BEST parts guys I've ever known, anyway, we were chatting about GH mowers and I mentioned that they have quite big spindles in them, and that I do keep them greased. He then told me he had NOT sold even one spindle for a GH mower, that they just don't have any problems with them.

I will add that on the GH, you grease from the top, so the top bearing get's the grease, and I bet it then works it's way to the bottom bearing.

SR

 

[MossRoad]

I sure understand that. I don't know how many times I've bought new parts, torn something apart only to find that the new parts weren't really needed, but I put the new parts in anyway.

In my new job, I frequently have to pull out a spring-rod assembly that has three bearings in it. If one of the bearings is bad, I have to pull out the entire assembly. It takes an hour and a half to remove it and re-install it. The bearings are cheap. I replace the other two if they are even the slightest bit questionable. Makes no sense to have to do it again in a few months for the others if I already have the assembly out.

 

[J_J]

I have replaced many bearings on my Dixie Choppers due to sand and water. The spindle full of grease is supposed to take up space so water can't get in and lessen the replacement time. The sealed bearing is supposed to seal out dust, sand, etc.

On the subject of bearings, Most of you probably don't know what kind of bearings you have. About the only way for you to know would be to have replaced those bearings.

If you have sealed bearings, and you keep pumping grease into it, you will probably blow the seals, and then you have an unsealed bearing.

Some say that they are greasing every couple days, or hours. Seems like a waste to me. The bearings actually run in the oil extracted from the grease.

Excerpt:

Too much grease volume (over-greasing) in a bearing cavity will cause the rotating bearing elements to begin churning the grease, pushing it out of the way, resulting in energy loss and rising temperatures. This leads to rapid oxidation (chemical degradation) of the grease as well as an accelerated rate of oil bleed, which is a separation of the oil from the thickener. The heat that has been generated over time along with the oil bleed eventually will cook the grease thickener into a hard, crusty build-up that can impair proper lubrication and even block new grease from reaching the core of the bearing. This can result in accelerated wear of the rolling elements and then component failure.

If you really want to know what the spindle looks like when you think it needs grease, take the time to break down the spindle and bearings and take a look, analyze the situation and go from there . It's your grease gun and your machine, do as you wish.
If you search the internet for over greasing , there are many articles on the subject.

New technology is using IR and Ultrasound to monitor and troubleshoot bearings.

With IR you can see the change in insufficient lubrication, normal and over greasing.

With Ultrasound you can hear when the bearings pick up the injected grease.