Spindles on 48" tiger cub

[scagman2]

I would say normal if it was completely full of grease or had so little air the pressure out weighed the resistance of the seal. There really isn't a way to tell for certain with the test equipment the average mower owner has. I just use the best by guess and by golly too.

In time it should stop ozzing out. May take awhile but I can't see where it it hurting that much except the mess..

Well Senior citizen, mowed more and seepage has lessened. Still need to keep an eye on it though. Would you believe that after the spindles replaced...the chattering noise continues? Examined deck closer...found anti scalping wheels had slop in bore sleeve and tension idler spring ends attached to end hooks were all rattling. Removed, cleaned, lubed, and reinstalled...now ok. Inspected old spindles, found bad seals at bottom and with 800+ hrs, they were:thumbsup::smile::laughing: due for replacement even though they weren't the noisy culprits. Guess a 12 yr. old scag is like an old truck... it squeaks, rattles and rolls...but works just fine.

 

[Mad Mackie]

The way Scag tensioner springs are made in three pieces lets them get noisy and vibrate more particularly the drive belt tensioner.

 

[SeniorCitizen]

Thanks for the up-date and glad you found the problem. Those bearings will probably last forever with your diligent maintenance. Seals sometimes catch he!! on the bottom end. Lost count of how many times I repaired brother I Ls where baler twine or cow hair had cut the lower seal out from mowing the corral.

 

[scagman2]

Thanks for the up-date and glad you found the problem. Those bearings will probably last forever with your diligent maintenance. Seals sometimes catch he!! on the bottom end. Lost count of how many times I repaired brother I Ls where baler twine or cow hair had cut the lower seal out from mowing the corral.

Thanks again to MAD MAKIE and Senior Citizen for sharing your experience and knowledge. Let's keep in touch from time to time.:thumbsup::smile::wink:

 

[bertsmobile1]

Thanks for the up-date and glad you found the problem. Those bearings will probably last forever with your diligent maintenance. Seals sometimes catch he!! on the bottom end. Lost count of how many times I repaired brother I Ls where baler twine or cow hair had cut the lower seal out from mowing the corral.

Yeah,
Had a Dane come in. owner could not get the lower spindle bearings to go in.
Reason, spindle was 1/2 " too short having acuallt worn the entire bottom off the housing so the bearing had nothing to support it.

 

[scagman2]

Yeah,
Had a Dane come in. owner could not get the lower spindle bearings to go in.
Reason, spindle was 1/2 " too short having acuallt worn the entire bottom off the housing so the bearing had nothing to support it.

Sounds like you have repaired/ replaced many spindles. My replacement spindles ooze grease from the top seal, so I will have to keep an eye on them. Sometimes it's difficult to pinpoint where noises come from the deck area... glad I found the culprits. Time will tell, and may also develop more unwanted sounds in the future. I guess a 2003 scag is like a 20 yr. old GMC truck...shakes, rattles, and rolls...but keeps going. Thanks for your insight.:thumbsup::smile::wink:

 

[scagman2]

Thanks for the up-date and glad you found the problem. Those bearings will probably last forever with your diligent maintenance. Seals sometimes catch he!! on the bottom end. Lost count of how many times I repaired brother I Ls where baler twine or cow hair had cut the lower seal out from mowing the corral.

These aftermarket spindles...what a pain. Should have gone OEM...but the cost!!! 2 spindles still ooze grease from top seal and 1 from bottom seal. Can run about 10 hrs. and then wipe grease off with a rag...Add about 5 pumps grease with hand held grease gun. Don't know whether to continue this or buy another set of spindles. OEM runs $750.00 FOR 3...aftermarket (all made in china of course $150.00) Anyone have any suggestions or insight...much appreciated.

 

[Bod]

After regular servicing, removed belt and found slight play in spindle when pulling up and down on blade tip. Have new replacement spindles handy, but was unable to remove hub and pulley and key from spindle assembly. Is there a trick to this? Hub and pulley have been on spindles for 12 yrs. now and are locked on like," a politician's grin." Don't want to attempt prying them up, looks like it could damage pulley. Any advise?

After 12 years, just replace the entire jack shaft case assemblies. Also same with all idlers and pullies. Your deck dont owe you any money right now and it isnt that much more costly to replace all. Get any dealer to check Oregon after market for you.

 

[Mad Mackie]

These aftermarket spindles...what a pain. Should have gone OEM...but the cost!!! 2 spindles still ooze grease from top seal and 1 from bottom seal. Can run about 10 hrs. and then wipe grease off with a rag...Add about 5 pumps grease with hand held grease gun. Don't know whether to continue this or buy another set of spindles. OEM runs $750.00 FOR 3...aftermarket (all made in china of course $150.00) Anyone have any suggestions or insight...much appreciated.

Why are you still adding grease to the spindles?
Scag calls for 40 hour spindle lube, most of us go till 50 hours when some of the scheduled maintenance is called for.
Do the spindles have a relief valve at 180 degrees from the grease fitting?
Was there an aftermarket name on the spindle packages?

 

[scagman2]

Why are you still adding grease to the spindles?
Scag calls for 40 hour spindle lube, most of us go till 50 hours when some of the scheduled maintenance is called for.
Do the spindles have a relief valve at 180 degrees from the grease fitting?
Was there an aftermarket name on the spindle packages?

Am only adding about 5 pumps grease per spindle every 10 hrs. of mowing to replace the amount that leaks out of seals. Yes there is a relief valve opposite of grease fitting. The grease came out of relief valve the first time I greased spindles. Got the 3 spindles from RUSSO EQUIPMENT, made by CYCLONE. They sell online. Not sure whether to keep using and re-greasing... or try to find another set that is affordable. T he OEM's are not. Don't mind keeping them and giving the extra servicing if they hold up.