John Deere 420: Part 2 MCS Bearings

Replacing the bearings on the rear PTO pulley for the MCS unit on the 420.

[@SF-fm7ov]

I believe the washers keep the pulley from wandering on the shaft. A bushing/spacer is typically used. Flanges can stretch and since one of their functions is to squeeze the outer race which holds it in place, they may need replaced. The bearing may spin in the flanges if they are loose. Flanges are usually reasonably priced. Flanges hold outer race to frame, eccentric locking collars hold inner race to shaft. This assures that the spinning is in the bearing where it should be and that things stay in place. Old combines and potato harvesters used many bearings, so I have seen my share.

[@SF-fm7ov]

I found, when things were rusted in, that I could save time by using an acetylene torch to cut the balls out of both bearings. It made teardown much faster.

[@robertduncan2742]

Washers are spacers to keep the main unit from wearing down

[@williamriley2528]

You might need a Propane or MAPP torch to apply a little heat...

[@edwarddinardo2830]

Love ur videos,,,,still have my eye on a 1991 420 with craftsman bucket up front 60 deck plow with 588 hrs, really like the idea of a 430 with diesel but real hard to find in Fl,,,I know u mentioned the hand control throttle being not as good as foot controlled, however, can u drive these with throttle set and control stop and go or slow down with brakes? In other words best way to drive one with front bucket only have 2 hands,,,lol Thx

[@joebleaux1336]

First, thank you for this great video. I got my first Deere in January -- a 420 with a single stage blower, blade, and a 60" deck. I recently picked up a tilt MCS and the rear PTO (minus the gear box). I felt that the PTO pulley bearing were tight and this video set me up for success. Fortunately, I did not have trouble getting the thing apart, aside from removing the bolt and washer on the shaft side opposite the splines. I picked up two new bearing from the local Deere dealer. Opening them up today, I discovered that they don't spin any more freely than the old ones did. Did you find that your new bearings spun freely? I was expecting them to rotate without much effort at all. The reality could not be further from this. Thanks for all your time and effort. These are a great series of videos.

[@mmrbeef]

Thanks for the comments. New bearings will be stiff until they are worked a little bit (at least that is my experience). It took me a little bit but you have to make sure the bearing retaining plates hold everything straight. If there is pressure on the shaft from the bearings no being straight there can be some issues and it will seem very tight. Hope that helps some.

[@ConnorNelson]

Love your videos. I am excited for the JOHN DEERE 420 series.

[@williamriley2528]

Where are your Gear Wrenches Dude...?

[@bryanstubblefield6274]

2 quick questions. Do you know the part number of that bracket? Do you know the part number of the bearings? Need to replace mine asap. Great video. Thanks for sharing.

[@mmrbeef]

The bearings are JD9217, the bracket is AM100314 (which looks to be NLA).

[@jeffreyallan2545]

Cold in the shop? “This ‘shits on the shaft” @ 6:59. LOL!!

[@Hockey47Mitsch]

I just realized also hahha