String wrapped on Skid steer hubs !!

Coyote · Mar 20, 2006

I recently acquired a used skid steer, ScatTrak 1300D. Pulled the wheels off this weekend to change the tires and found one that had string wound tightly behind the hub. I pulled most of it off, it was packed up in there and covered in grease. Then pulled another wheel and found the same thing. I am thinking now that this may have been a cheap solution the seal the hubs? A coincidence? What do you think? It's my first SS so I don't have a clue, but it seems suspicious!

Spiffy · Mar 20, 2006

Most likely they were using it around hay, or somewhere else with string lying around.

Not knowing a thing about that machine, it might be possible that the string could have damaged the seals, but at least I wouldn't think anything suspicious (other than they never checked for that sort of thing) of the string.

gatractorman · Mar 20, 2006

Not familiar with a 1300 but have been around a 1500 some, likely they are similar drive hub setups.
The string has cut the seal out of the hubs since you say it's covered in grease.

Highbeam · Mar 22, 2006

That'll happen. I've had barbed wire get wrapped up in bulldozer tracks and find its way to the hub where it wraps tight. No fun at all.

All you can do now is take out the string and run it to see if it leaks.

What does the string look like?

Panache · Mar 22, 2006

Are you sure it is not the starter rope? /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Coyote · Mar 22, 2006

It looks like regular cotton string. I left it on the other two hubs after wrestling with the first wheel. I figured if it was sealing the hubs I didn't want to break the spell! It is not bunched up around the hub where you can pull on it with your fingers, it is wound tightly, almost packed into the hub. There are no loose loops. With pliers I pulled it out and it kept coming and kept coming from deeper on the shaft. Strange!

Highbeam · Mar 24, 2006

Makes you wonder if it isn't some sort of rope seal like the old rear main seals on chevys. Wouldn't that suck?

Jimbrown · Mar 24, 2006

My guess is that it is just layout string from foundations and concrete slabs where the machine was used. The previous owner probably did not know it was there or just did not care.

Coyote · Mar 24, 2006

I'm just going to leave it on the others. It's not leaking on the one I pulled it off of. 50 diesel HP ought to be able to handle any extra turning resitance!