JD 135 spindles

[gatorblade]

A friend just replaced the front 2 spindles and wheel races on his JD 135 after his second mowing season. He mows a half acre. He greased at least every 3 mows. The spindles each had 1 flat spot about 1/4 worn. Just out of the warranty. The spindles had to be soft . Anyone had this problem? thanks Gatorblade

 

[KennyV]

I have been hearing more & more disappointment lately regarding not just JD but other top name mowers... The parts and pieces are just Not of the quality you have became custom to expect... :smile:KennyV

 

[Rivets]

Most of the lower end JD's are now being built by MTD. You can only get the old JD quality if you purchase the high end models. Same as Toro, Cub Cadet, and other major brands. It has gotten so bad that when asked by customers what tractor I would recommend, I answer " I don't know, because I am not seeing anything where quality and price are equal in any machine under $2500. We have discontinued selling any tractors under $3000. We do keep looking to find a line which we like, but haven't found one yet. It may sound like a bad decision, but because we are known to stand behind our equipment, we hope in the long run it won't come back to haunt us.

 

[Fish]

A few years back, had a customer bring his Dixie Chopper in just out of warranty, all of his spindles were totally shot, even had bearing pieces falling out of the races, the underside of the deck was covered/dripping with grease. Of course he was shouting warranty, I called him up and said, "You grease your mower a lot, don't you"???

He came back with a shout, "HELL YEAH!!!!!"

I told him, well that is likely why your bearings failed....

 

[gatorblade]

Thanks for the info. To KennyV and Rivets. My father-inlaw always buys the residential mowers. I just thought he was rough on them. He has had at least 3 or 4 top brand mowers in 30+yrs, not cheap to buy but the quality is lacking. He bought his first JD, which is not starting out to good. As for Fish's reply. Iv'e heard over greasing blade spindles can cause problems . Sorry for the confusion, I should have referred to the front wheel axles, instead of spindles. If these are over greased the grease just comes out into the rubber cap. I guess one could actually pop the cap off! I mow 3+ acres with an 02 Hustler Z 60". Other than the paint not sticking on certain spots on the deck my only other problem was last season my blades wouldn't engauge when hot. Thanks again to KennyV and Rivets input, I adjusted the clutch as told , OK since. I guess this was on me as the clutch should be checked after so many hours. First real mower Iv'e had. Made in the USA was my first priority. Our church has a Bobcat 35hp 72" to mow 10 of the roughest acres. After 8 yrs. still going. Just a few things like height adjustment, and access to things I liked better on the Hustler. They both are too loud!

 

[reynoldston]

A few years back, had a customer bring his Dixie Chopper in just out of warranty, all of his spindles were totally shot, even had bearing pieces falling out of the races, the underside of the deck was covered/dripping with grease. Of course he was shouting warranty, I called him up and said, "You grease your mower a lot, don't you"???

He came back with a shout, "HELL YEAH!!!!!"

I told him, well that is likely why your bearings failed....[/QUO

I agree with Fish here. If you are greasing your bearings every three mowing's you are over greasing your bearings. Your bearings get packed with too much grease and the grease can't do its job. Too much isn't always better.

 

[gatorblade]

Thanks reynoldston for your input. My first rider was a 76 craftsman with no grease zirks. I pulled the front wheels, smeared the grease on the axle and that was it. If I put too much on, it was forced out installing the wheel. The axles way out lasted the rest of the mower! The JD is the same only with a zirk. The clearance being close between the axle and race and as long as the grease has somewhere to go I don't see how there could be too much in there. I thought the metal tube in the wheel would wear before the expensive axle. Well enough of my excuses why it shouldn't have happend. I'm sure my father-in-law will be less generous with the grease and we will see in 2 yrs. He's 88 and I will have to watch him like a Hawk!!! Thanks for all the input from everyone. Gatorblade

 

[Fish]

The vast majority of the spindles out there have sealed bearings anyway, they are there to make folks feel better........ and all of them have seals on the outer side. Greasing them until you hear a pop and see
the grease ooze out, usually means that you have damaged the seals, and the grease will keep oozing out, and water and dirt can now come in and do the serious damage.

 

[PJ]

A friend just replaced the front 2 spindles and wheel races on his JD 135 after his second mowing season. He mows a half acre. He greased at least every 3 mows. The spindles each had 1 flat spot about 1/4 worn. Just out of the warranty. The spindles had to be soft . Anyone had this problem? thanks Gatorblade

Hi

One must be careful on greasing the spindle bearings looking at the bearings you get " sealed bearings and bearings fitted with dust covers" Sealed bearings can not be greased without popping the seal. Once the seal is popped the bearing is damaged and will be destroyed if running for long period in dirty conditions. Bearings with dust covers can be greases but not over greased.

Regards
PJ

 

[gatorblade]

Thanks Fish and PJ for your input. Somewhere along my postings I confused everyone into thinking the mower in question has front wheel bearings. I like giving and receiving info on this and other sites, though my giving is limited. My father-in-law don't ask questions, if it's broke he gets the parts and fixes it being a GM retired machine repairman. I called Reynolds JD this morning where he purchased the mower. The service manager said in this case new sleeves are pressed in the rims and new spindles installed. Then according to the area mowed each time, this would determin how often greased. In our case a half acre + would be after two mowings. To be sure, pop the wheel and see if any grease is left, then grease accordingly. With the yellow cap off, grease till it starts to come out then you will know how many squirts next time it takes. Bottom line he said both spindles were out of grease for a time and once the flat spot developed it went down hill from there no matter the amount of grease was applied after that. Thanks for everyone being so patient . I'll do better next time if I'm not ejected from this site!