Front wheel bearing lube

[Fred's 123]

I picked up this 1965 model 123 over the summer, and ran through the full lubrication schedule in the owner's manual before putting it to work. She worked hard all summer, and I just converted it over to snow duty, again running through all the pertinent points in the lubrication schedule. While greasing the front steering knuckles and axle pivot, I began thinking about those front wheel bearings.

There does not seem to be any way to grease them, other than disassembling and hand packing. Is this correct? I'm bothered the literature makes no mention of how often this should be done, if ever. There is noticeable axial play, and a little wobble in each wheel, but I have no idea if mine is worse or better than any other.

What do you guys do with your front bearings? I'm sure someone out there has thought to drill and tap those hubs for some zerks, but I'm wondering why Cub Cadet chose to not do this.

[R Bedell]

There does not seem to be any way to grease them, other than disassembling and hand packing. Is this correct?

YUP....that is it...hand packing.

I have went this route and glad I did. I buy the factory sealed bearings (RF122214PP) and don't worry about lubrication.

[Sam Mac]

I drilled the spindles and then the bolt that holds the wheel on got drilled and tapped for a ¼-28 grease fitting. This allows you to pump grease into the bearings without having to remove the wheels.

[Fred's 123]

I like both solutions, but any ideas on why IH never chose to do this? Given the long production time span, and the shear number of tractors produced, this was surely a "highly refined" design. I'm sure they considered this issue, and at some point decided to not incorporate a grease fitting here.

I do know why they did not consider a sealed bearing in 1965, as that technology was in it's infancy at that time, but it's likely not a bad way to go today.

[Matt G.]

In 1965, they probably never envisioned these machines lasting as long as they have. I just re-pack the front bearings once in awhile. There's nothing wrong with hand packing, it doesn't need to be done often, and it isn't difficult or time consuming. Lately I've wound up with sealed bearings when procuring replacements for the 3/4" spindles; I remove the inner seal and pack more grease into it and replace the seal because they don't put a whole lot in there to begin with. The grease fitting is a good idea, but the problem with that is the rest of that cavity fills with half a tube of grease and makes a gigantic mess anytime you have to remove the wheel. What would really be smart is the addition of a big spacer in there to fill the space so you don't have to waste half a tube of grease for the initial lube.

[Sam Mac]

I have not had a problem when pulling a wheel full of grease, I just put a couple plastic plugs in the hole so they don't get dirt in the bearings. Yep it takes some grease to fill it first time but you know you have plenty to lube the bearings.

I think a lot of the " why didn't they do this or that when they built them in the first place” is related to cost. Ten or twenty dollars more for each machine starts to turn into serious money when you consider the volume per year. Like it or not they are in business to make $$$. Also if they lasted forever they would never sell replacements. MTD & JD have it figured out now with the crap they make for Home Cheapo & Lowes. The general public want cheap and someone is going to supply the market. OK enough of my rant.

[nikster]

Originally Posted by Sam Mac

I drilled the spindles and then the bolt that holds the wheel on got drilled and tapped for a ¼-28 grease fitting. This allows you to pump grease into the bearings without having to remove the wheels.

Wow, way cool. Maybe this Spring?

Nik,

[bocephus1991]

I'm swaping my front rims on my 1200 from my 1211 they have greasible bearings

[Flatbedford]

Anybody have a good, affordable source for the 3/4" bearings? My cart uses the same ones and they don't last very long when I overload it with firewood regularly.