Snowblower gear lube.

[jerkin]

Read all the threads about the $15/pint lubricants you're supposed to use my question is has anyone actually had a problem pumping the main box full of plain old high temp lithium grease and filling the auger box up with 90 weight? It's ok to admit you did it, nobody will yell at you (I hope), lol.

[J-Mech]

Ok.
The auger box needs grease, but I thin it with oil. The main box needs a 50/50 mix of grease and oil. I suggest mixing red wheel bearing grease with synthetic 80W-90 until it is about the consistency of wet pudding. You should be able to pour it, but not a liquid. I put the same in the auger box, but that's your call. DO NOT use straight oil in either. They are not meant for oil, it will all leak out. I think straight grease is too heavy. Take it from someone who had to rebuild an auger drive.... it can be expensive. They only make some of the parts still, not all.

[Yosemite Sam]

What are you workin on?

[jerkin]

I've seen some 0# grease in a tube that looks like you could squeeze it into the auger box so that would probably be ok but how would you get your grease/lube mixture into the main box since it doesn't have a plug? Can you actually put that stuff in a grease gun and pump it in?

Yosemite, I believe it's a 451 but I can't swear to it. It was sitting outside for years before I got it with the 1864 I bought this summer. Can't find any numbers on it but the guy I got it from said it came with the tractor when new so I'm assuming it's a 451 and not a 450. Not actually sure how to tell them apart to be honest, lol.

It's in pretty rough shape so I'm not going to put a bunch of money into it, if it looks like it's not going to work I'd rather just spend a few hundred bucks and buy a nicer one that's been stored inside then either keep this one for parts or sell it to someone else with more time on their hands. It doesn't appear to have a bunch of wear on it, everything is in nice shape and straight it's just rusted bad.

[Shrewcub]

Ive done what J-mech said and had no problems. What brand 0# grease have you seen? Just curious.

[jerkin]

For the life of me I can't remember who made it but it came in a tube and looked like gojo hand cleaner or something. It's been a few years, I guess I couldn't even swear it was 0# but it was pretty light and viscous. My memory isn't what it used to be, that's for sure.

[J-Mech]

Probably a package of grease for CV axle's. I wouldn't use it.

[dag1450]

That gear box is worth a lot of money if it's in good shape. I'm not sure I would cut corners.... for $15. I know it's a ton of work to disassemble and refill. If u have plans on using the blower..might b worth the effort.http://www.cubcadetcollectors.com/fo...ear+box#p35547

[J-Mech]

Tom Scott is a good guy, but I don't think all that work is necessary. I've worked on a lot more equipment than Tom. Plus, not many people use a blower on a cub like I do. I've cleared parking lots for businesses for years with it. Like, not Wal-Mart size, but anywhere from 10-30 car lots, plus driveways.... it gets used.

Gearbox isn't worth any more than the blower....

[jerkin]

Jmech, I think I am going to go with your idea, seems like an inexpensive substitute plus I still have half a quart of synthetic 80/90 in the garage, lol. Two questions, are you just putting your mixture in an old grease gun and pumping it in? And, do you recommend pulling both boxes and cleaning out the old grease first? That Tom Smith guy from the other article seems to think it's bad to mix the different types of grease but from what I gather from your post you don't think it's necessary. Doesn't look like it would be too hard to pull those boxes if I had to I suppose.