Mower Grease

[Papa's Cub]

My neighbor replaced the bearings and seals in the spindles on my Woods 59 at the beginning of last mowing season. Since he was a heavy equipment mechanic I asked what kind of lubricate should I use and how often should the mower be serviced. He said most any tube grease would be fine at approximately every 10 - 12 hrs. The mower performed as new without the previous vibration and noise. So I greased it as recommended and now I think the spindles are failing prematurely. My question, how many (pumps) should I use in each spindle? I usually give each one 5 or 6 pumps. I always inspect the bottom for leaks every time while sharpening the blades and haven't found any evidence of leakage. A search on this issue seems to vary greatly. Some say 2 pumps, some 4 or 5 others say to pump until you can feel the pressure build up and can see a small amount of grease push through the seal. After noticing the increased noise I pumped 10 pumps into each spindle and haven't seen any grease push out of the upper or lower seals. So, should I buy a heavier grease or keep pumping until the grease pushes beyond the seals? Thanks, Tom.

[Gary S.]

"Lubricate the blade spindle shafts with SAE 80 or 90EP gear lube every 24 hours of operation until some oil isforced out around the top of the shaft. If machine is equipped with casters, grease occasionally to keep the powdered metal bearing well lubricated". Per the manual. Been doing the same for 30+ years with no trouble knock on wood.

[Dale Finch]

I pump until grease starts coming out...maybe even a few extra pumps to "flush" any gritty/wet old grease out. Usually it takes 6-10 pumps. I wipe off the extra grease just to clean it up & avoid grease slinging everywhere!

[Papa's Cub]

Thanks Gary, during my research I discovered several references to using an oil lubricant. Is there a special pump or do you use a regular grease gun? Thanks Dale, so there's no need to look for a heavy duty grease ... just pump away! Hopefully I can get a few more years of service out of it. I had hip replacement back in June and so far am doing great. It's like a new lease on life. Now I'm looking forward to next years garden. Thanks, Tom.

[SamsFarm]

I have a woods PRD7200 and generally give it 1 or 2 pumps per spindle per season.

U-joints get 1/2 to 1 pump.

I bought it new and it sleeps indoors.

Had it 15 years now!

[ricky racer]

Some greases are in compatible with other greases. Make sure the grease you use is compatible with what's in there.

[Gary S.]

Looks like a grease gun Tom but it's small and has a plunger thats out the back. I have a picture of mine but can't get it to load. I'll try to resize it tomorrow. Dad must have bought it when he got the tractor in the 80's- looks too new compared to our other tools

[ntrenn]

Oil lube for the spindles? First I’ve heard or seen of that. Interesting...,
Grease lube speed limits are typically 30 to 40% of oil lubed bearings. These mower spindles turn slow enough to be ok with grease, but oil makes a lot of sense....might have to change over.
As far as failing early, preload on the spindle bearings is number two after adequate grease. There needs to be a bit of preload to share the load properly between the two bearings. No preload is worse than too much. On the spindles I have replaced, reusing the lock pin holes has been just about right.

[indy61]

Oil lube for the spindles? First I’ve heard or seen of that. Interesting...,

I was surprised to see that as well. This is from a Woods RM59 manual.

[tldec50]

Oil lube for the spindles? First I’ve heard or seen of that. Interesting...,

I was surprised to see that as well. This is from a Woods RM59 manual.
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That heavy oil reminds me of the cornhead grease from john deere.I use it in the track rollers on my crawler and in an old bush hog with a leaking lower oil seal.Works great and have had no problems.There is several posts on the internet when you google cornhead grease.,Tim

[Don McCombs]

Also available from TSC as a generic branded product.

[outdoors4evr]

So, help out an ignorant guy.
Do you remove the grease zerk and pour in 90 weight oil?

Wouldn't the oil just run out the bottom of the mower and leave oiled (soon to be dead) stripes behind each spindle?

[Urbish]

Looks like a grease gun Tom but it's small and has a plunger thats out the back. I have a picture of mine but can't get it to load. I'll try to resize it tomorrow. Dad must have bought it when he got the tractor in the 80's- looks too new compared to our other tools

It is called a push-type oil gun:

[Papa's Cub]

Some greases are in compatible with other greases. Make sure the grease you use is compatible with what's in there.

Ricky, upon your advice my research revealed the Green Lucas X-TRA Heavy duty grease is compatible with the grease I'm currently using. I don't have a clue whether the spindles were ever completely filled with grease, probably not since I find no evidence of any leakage. When the new grease arrives I'll pump until some pushes through the seals. Hopefully this will resolve the issues. Thanks,Tom

[Gary S.]

A zirk fitting does not care if it's grease or oil going through it. Many 50's Engilsh cars have zirk fittings on their steering racks - an oil gun was provided in the tool kit. Many years and owners later with the tool kits missing, people mistakenly used grease much like Cub owners use grease rather than oil in their steering. I have no idea where any of the oil goes I never see it streaked under or on top of the mower. Like any bearing using grease they are not open but do have seals top and bottom.