Silver Wolf
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- Apr 29, 2022
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My original spindles did not have the zerk fittings, but my e-bay China replacement ones did. If pumping grease into spindles and greese starts to come out stop. Pressure can build in the spindle and blow the seal out. The main cause of spindle failure is the blades hiting branches, limbs and rocks. Also, do not clean under the deck with what CC name "smart jet" which will force water past the spindle seal and into the bearing. Throw that smart jet away..Recently, I decided to do some deck maintenance on my Cub Cadet Pro Z 100. Two of the spindles (p/n 918-07255) seemed pretty solid. No play in any direction. Before greasing, though, they made a bit of noise when turning the blades. After greasing, they got quiet. The 3rd spindle... had vertical and lateral play. I figure that it's toast, so I ordered a new one. I figure that the housing is worn. Even if it's not, it's not a bad idea to have a spare. But a spindle is just over $150. Yikes! So I want to make sure the other two last.
I've been greasing them every year, but I wasn't getting enough grease in there. This time, I put in grease until it started coming out, and it came out through the bearings. I'm sure that the bearings have grease now. At least, on the good spindles. I didn't see a need to waste grease on the bad one.
The bearings on the "good" spindles got quiet once they got filled with grease, but not before that. Should I replace them? If so, how do I determine the p/n for the bearings I need?
The bearings are not sealed. The spindles have seals that must come out to be able to remove the bearings. See photo.View attachment 70937
There's one on the other end of the spindle, too. Can they be removed without damage? I tried prying on them, but couldn't get one out. I was afraid to pry any harder. Are the seals available separately? If so... p/n?
BTW, the mower has about 400 hrs on it. I suspect the spindles do too, but I bought it used, so I can't be sure.
I have the Cub Cadet China built 20hp Koler courage engine. You have to have courage to own a courage engine. I have bought 8 Chinese carbs, 2 starters, endless mower driven belts, several drive belts and front tires, several spindles and it uses oil like you wont believe. Had a friend weld my mowers deck where welds broke and metal fatigued. I had to become a mower mechanic to own it. I want a zero turn mower, but Cub Cadels are the cheapest and they have soured me.
I had a John Deere mower, the 120 series, less than $3500 and it is a piece of crap with a green paint job. Replaced spindles contantly, electrical problems. The tuff torque transmission was great and the twin cylinder B&S 25 hp engine was great, but used a lot of gas. My deck rusted out and I had to trash and bought my Cub Cadet. The best riding mower I have had was a Lowes brand which was build by Noma, Noma build the mowers for Graingers also. They got bought out. It had a a twin cylinder Vanguard B&S engine and had the old hydrostatic transmission which bolted on to the rear differential. Replaced the deck which was under $100, which I took to work and unbolted all the stuff off old deck and put on new one with new fastners from work. 10 years old and someone stoled it beside my house in the daytime. I don't know how they did it. I have a long driveway and the road is very steep. Anyway, my insurance paid out and I bought the John Deere.
Keeping a spindle as a spare is a good ideal. I had bought 2, 5 years ago and only used one when I had bought them. Spare blades, bought 2 sets, new and used carbs, 3 mower belts, drive belts, air, oil and fuel filter, spark plug, 30 weight oil. I use a fuel shut off on the fuel line because the needle and seat fails and there are not kits that you can buy. If I don"t shut off the gas, my crankcase will fill with gas and the gas of 3.5 gal will run out the air filter, but that is the carb that runs the best. There are no adjustments or jets. Thank EPA and China for that.
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