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No grease fittings ?
#1
Big-Al
Big-Al
Hello everyone I'm new and my name is AL. Just bought a Hustler Raptor sd 54 inch. Recommended by 2 coworkers to mow my 3 1/2 acres and occasionally my mom's 1 1/2 acres. Put it away in the garage and started looking it over and the manual. Noticed there's no visible zerk fittings. This concerns me because my 2 craftsmen mowers have zerks. Feel like a fool for not looking over it really well before buying it. It's so solid built I over looked this. How do some of you feel about this particular mower not having fittings ?
#2
chemingthroughtheleather
chemingthroughtheleather
hello AL...I raised this same issue and most members feel the no zerk spindles stand up well and you simply replace them when needed.I'm old school and like to tend to my lubrication periodically,however I have been reassured the current spindles will hold up for many years under normal circumstances.I still miss giving them grease!
#3
reynoldston
I have been in the repair business for many years and now retired. When I started it seem all the bearings had grease fittings. Now if everyone keep them clean and well greased, but not over greased, things were good to go. A bearing can be over greased as well under greased. As I was seeing it that wasn't the fact. Then they started to use sealed and greased bearing for life . When they started to use the sealed bearings, the bearing failure went way down. So as I see it you are a lot better without the fittings. Just something about a grease fitting that give people a good feeling to put a grease gun on that fitting and see the grease squeezing out all over the place and making a big mess.
reynoldston
Hello everyone I'm new and my name is AL. Just bought a Hustler Raptor sd 54 inch. Recommended by 2 coworkers to mow my 3 1/2 acres and occasionally my mom's 1 1/2 acres. Put it away in the garage and started looking it over and the manual. Noticed there's no visible zerk fittings. This concerns me because my 2 craftsmen mowers have zerks. Feel like a fool for not looking over it really well before buying it. It's so solid built I over looked this. How do some of you feel about this particular mower not having fittings ?
I have been in the repair business for many years and now retired. When I started it seem all the bearings had grease fittings. Now if everyone keep them clean and well greased, but not over greased, things were good to go. A bearing can be over greased as well under greased. As I was seeing it that wasn't the fact. Then they started to use sealed and greased bearing for life . When they started to use the sealed bearings, the bearing failure went way down. So as I see it you are a lot better without the fittings. Just something about a grease fitting that give people a good feeling to put a grease gun on that fitting and see the grease squeezing out all over the place and making a big mess.
#4
Big-Al
Big-Al
After your answers and me putting thought into it. Both my car and truck has sealed bearings. 202,000 on my car and 90,000 on my truck. Makes perfect sense. Thanks for the replys. AL
#5
djdicetn
You probably saw/replaced some of those "placebo effect" spindles that had grease zerks.....but had sealed bearings inside. Satisfied an owner's urge, but the grease added through the zerks never saw a bearing:0)
djdicetn
I have been in the repair business for many years and now retired. When I started it seem all the bearings had grease fittings. Now if everyone keep them clean and well greased, but not over greased, things were good to go. A bearing can be over greased as well under greased. As I was seeing it that wasn't the fact. Then they started to use sealed and greased bearing for life . When they started to use the sealed bearings, the bearing failure went way down. So as I see it you are a lot better without the fittings. Just something about a grease fitting that give people a good feeling to put a grease gun on that fitting and see the grease squeezing out all over the place and making a big mess.
You probably saw/replaced some of those "placebo effect" spindles that had grease zerks.....but had sealed bearings inside. Satisfied an owner's urge, but the grease added through the zerks never saw a bearing:0)
#6
reynoldston
I have been doing this for many years and not new at it. I have lost count many years ago as to the number of bearings I have replaced. I worked for a large factory that all I did was change bearings for three years in their manufacturing equipment. Hated the job. Yes I know what you are talking about here because I have replaced bearings with the seals inside. I have also removed the inner seals so the grease can reach the ball bearings. This isn't what I was talking about. I am talking about sealed bearings without any fitting.
reynoldston
You probably saw/replaced some of those "placebo effect" spindles that had grease zerks.....but had sealed bearings inside. Satisfied an owner's urge, but the grease added through the zerks never saw a bearing:0)
I have been doing this for many years and not new at it. I have lost count many years ago as to the number of bearings I have replaced. I worked for a large factory that all I did was change bearings for three years in their manufacturing equipment. Hated the job. Yes I know what you are talking about here because I have replaced bearings with the seals inside. I have also removed the inner seals so the grease can reach the ball bearings. This isn't what I was talking about. I am talking about sealed bearings without any fitting.
#7
Fish
Fish
Either way, if you grease a spindle with sealed bearings, and it has some age/wear on it, grease will/can be forced past the worn seals and into the bearings, but that is secondary to this discussion.
#8
reynoldston
If it has age and wear a ball bearing needs replacing.
reynoldston
Either way, if you grease a spindle with sealed bearings, and it has some age/wear on it, grease will/can be forced past the worn seals and into the bearings, but that is secondary to this discussion.
If it has age and wear a ball bearing needs replacing.
#9
djdicetn
.
djdicetn
Yeah, I understand that(I have sealed cast iron spindles on my Gravely). I, like many, was concerned about no greases zerks...but EVERY dealer told me that the sealed bearings had been used for quite a few years(even on some mowers, like my Craftsman....Husqvarna...I bought in 2006 that had grease fittings). The Gravely mechanic bet me that if I disassembled the spindles on that Craftsman I would find sealed bearings inside. After hearing the same story from every dealer I got more comfortable about buying a ZTR with sealed spindles(the Gravely mechanic told me they would easily last 1,000-1,5000 hours...which is longer than I will live to see on that mower putting 30-40 hours/year on it:0)This isn't what I was talking about. I am talking about sealed bearings without any fitting.
.
#10
Big-Al
Big-Al
If I get 1500 hrs or more out of my mower. I'll be very pleased.
#11
Fish
Yes, I know, but new grease can get to them and make them last a bit longer, but like I said, that is secondary to this discussion.
The mfgrs. put zerks on the spindles these days to make the customer feel better. But many customers will pump the grease until the seals pops, and they can see grease oozing out under the deck. Then, that starts the process of dirt/water drawing into the bearings and destroying them.
Fish
If it has age and wear a ball bearing needs replacing.
Yes, I know, but new grease can get to them and make them last a bit longer, but like I said, that is secondary to this discussion.
The mfgrs. put zerks on the spindles these days to make the customer feel better. But many customers will pump the grease until the seals pops, and they can see grease oozing out under the deck. Then, that starts the process of dirt/water drawing into the bearings and destroying them.
#12
Carscw
Carscw
If I could get more then 300 hours out of bearings I would be happy
#13
A
AYSKOFI
The truth is, Hustler does have grease fittings on their spindles. It was because of the design of the spindles, I did not buy a Hustler. I have a lot of experience in designing new machinery and making improvements to older designs. I concluded nobody in their right mind, would have done what Hustler did. Want to grease your spindles? Prepare to get dirty. Lay down on the ground and reach under the mowing deck. That's where you will find the grease fittings, on the lower portion of the spindle housing. I spoke with the Hustler dealer about the problem. He didn't seem to think it was a problem that most people don't even clean the zerk fittings before pumping the grease in. Just ask yourself, how your going to clean those fittings before pumping all that trash into your bearings. I'm one guy who refuses to buy such a poor design. What concerns me even more is, what other flaws I might find, if I spent a little more time looking over the machine a little closer.
A
AYSKOFI
Hello everyone I'm new and my name is AL. Just bought a Hustler Raptor sd 54 inch. Recommended by 2 coworkers to mow my 3 1/2 acres and occasionally my mom's 1 1/2 acres. Put it away in the garage and started looking it over and the manual. Noticed there's no visible zerk fittings. This concerns me because my 2 craftsmen mowers have zerks. Feel like a fool for not looking over it really well before buying it. It's so solid built I over looked this. How do some of you feel about this particular mower not having fittings ?
The truth is, Hustler does have grease fittings on their spindles. It was because of the design of the spindles, I did not buy a Hustler. I have a lot of experience in designing new machinery and making improvements to older designs. I concluded nobody in their right mind, would have done what Hustler did. Want to grease your spindles? Prepare to get dirty. Lay down on the ground and reach under the mowing deck. That's where you will find the grease fittings, on the lower portion of the spindle housing. I spoke with the Hustler dealer about the problem. He didn't seem to think it was a problem that most people don't even clean the zerk fittings before pumping the grease in. Just ask yourself, how your going to clean those fittings before pumping all that trash into your bearings. I'm one guy who refuses to buy such a poor design. What concerns me even more is, what other flaws I might find, if I spent a little more time looking over the machine a little closer.
#14
S
SeniorCitizen
S
SeniorCitizen
Being you have a lot of experience in designing, did you design the popular system that has 2 sealed bearings that are a press fit with a spacer sleeve ( tubing ) between the bearings?The truth is, Hustler does have grease fittings on their spindles. It was because of the design of the spindles, I did not buy a Hustler. I have a lot of experience in designing new machinery and making improvements to older designs. I concluded nobody in their right mind, would have done what Hustler did. Want to grease your spindles? Prepare to get dirty. Lay down on the ground and reach under the mowing deck. That's where you will find the grease fittings, on the lower portion of the spindle housing. I spoke with the Hustler dealer about the problem. He didn't seem to think it was a problem that most people don't even clean the zerk fittings before pumping the grease in. Just ask yourself, how your going to clean those fittings before pumping all that trash into your bearings. I'm one guy who refuses to buy such a poor design. What concerns me even more is, what other flaws I might find, if I spent a little more time looking over the machine a little closer.
#15
d_sharier
I am by no means a bearing expert, but I had the same thoughts you did about the fittings being in the arbor housing under the deck. I don't do much with ZTR'S or walk-behinds, I tend to gravitate to old Simplicity tractors. (I don't cut commercially) But Simplicity, Deere, Cub, Snapper etc. etc, all have had, or still use spindles with this style of fitting. Most of the Simplicity tractors that I have had my hands on have the fittings under the deck. I also noticed that most arbors/spindles after 1970 something have sealed bearings. Again, didn't make sense, why grease a sealed bearing? But then it was explained to me this way: The fittings are under the deck so they can be "hit" when servicing the blades and cleaning the deck. The manufacturer went under the assumption that the end user would follow their recommended maintenance schedule. This would include cleaning the underside of the deck prior to attaching a grease gun. As far as the grease itself, it is intended less for the bearings and more for the arbor shaft. The bearings are sealed, the arbor housing is not It is made of metal that is not sealed at the top or bottom, some have a lip up the side too. Heat is generated from the blades spinning on the shaft. Water gets into the arbor housing because the grass is mostly water. Heat and moisture are to prime ingredients in corrosion. It makes sense that the grease added to the arbor housing would be less about the bearings and more about the spindle shaft, transferring the heat away, and displacing the moisture.
d_sharier
The truth is, Hustler does have grease fittings on their spindles. It was because of the design of the spindles, I did not buy a Hustler. I have a lot of experience in designing new machinery and making improvements to older designs. I concluded nobody in their right mind, would have done what Hustler did. Want to grease your spindles? Prepare to get dirty. Lay down on the ground and reach under the mowing deck. That's where you will find the grease fittings, on the lower portion of the spindle housing. I spoke with the Hustler dealer about the problem. He didn't seem to think it was a problem that most people don't even clean the zerk fittings before pumping the grease in. Just ask yourself, how your going to clean those fittings before pumping all that trash into your bearings. I'm one guy who refuses to buy such a poor design. What concerns me even more is, what other flaws I might find, if I spent a little more time looking over the machine a little closer.
I am by no means a bearing expert, but I had the same thoughts you did about the fittings being in the arbor housing under the deck. I don't do much with ZTR'S or walk-behinds, I tend to gravitate to old Simplicity tractors. (I don't cut commercially) But Simplicity, Deere, Cub, Snapper etc. etc, all have had, or still use spindles with this style of fitting. Most of the Simplicity tractors that I have had my hands on have the fittings under the deck. I also noticed that most arbors/spindles after 1970 something have sealed bearings. Again, didn't make sense, why grease a sealed bearing? But then it was explained to me this way: The fittings are under the deck so they can be "hit" when servicing the blades and cleaning the deck. The manufacturer went under the assumption that the end user would follow their recommended maintenance schedule. This would include cleaning the underside of the deck prior to attaching a grease gun. As far as the grease itself, it is intended less for the bearings and more for the arbor shaft. The bearings are sealed, the arbor housing is not It is made of metal that is not sealed at the top or bottom, some have a lip up the side too. Heat is generated from the blades spinning on the shaft. Water gets into the arbor housing because the grass is mostly water. Heat and moisture are to prime ingredients in corrosion. It makes sense that the grease added to the arbor housing would be less about the bearings and more about the spindle shaft, transferring the heat away, and displacing the moisture.
#16
Ric
300 hours, seriously? I'm already running 700 hours on the sealed bearings on my Grandstand and there still running strong.
Ric
If I could get more then 300 hours out of bearings I would be happy
300 hours, seriously? I'm already running 700 hours on the sealed bearings on my Grandstand and there still running strong.
#17
Carscw
I think I just stress mine more.
Tall weeds, hitting objects that shock the bearings.
Been running my toro all year and bearings are still doing good. Guessing close to 400 hours.
Sent from my iPhone using LMF
Carscw
300 hours, seriously? I'm already running 700 hours on the sealed bearings on my Grandstand and there still running strong.
I think I just stress mine more.
Tall weeds, hitting objects that shock the bearings.
Been running my toro all year and bearings are still doing good. Guessing close to 400 hours.
Sent from my iPhone using LMF