Mower Spindles Explained & Differences Between Residential VS Commercial Spindles

[@sptrader6316]

Thanks for showing the dissembled spindles, I love seeing as much detail as possible, to help understand why greasing is so important and how to dissemble them for repair.

[@WesternEquipment]

No problem! Thanks for watching!

[@jimmygorgiev9379]

Thanks for the video. Very informative!!!!!

[@WesternEquipment]

Thank you. I hope it helped!

[@gordonhutchinson2949]

Great explanation of the S100 series bearing issue, thanks...

[@WesternEquipment]

Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for watching!

[@olddog605]

Thanks I just had to replace the bearings in a Cub Cadet with 300 hrs. I was under greasing the hubs!

[@WesternEquipment]

Oh man, well I'm glad I could help!

[@truthgha]

You are great explaining, answering my curiosity! Thanks

[@VijayBhalla]

Thanks, very useful video. Greasing on sealed bearings had been a confusing topic for me.

[@WesternEquipment]

I am glad I could clear up some confusion. Thanks for watching!

[@jedklampet7471]

makes more sense to have the inner bearing unsealed to get the grease from the spindle too.

[@WesternEquipment]

Everybody has a different opinion on this.

[@jg-bd3hr]

Informational note: The purpose of the sleeve between the two bearings; The sleeve is a spacer so that when you tighten the bolt you don't press the center out of the bearings or slightly misalign it. It holds them in place at a specific distance so they will keep working properly. If that sleeve is loose it was improperly manufactured or the bearings were improperly installed and more than likely one or both bearings will fail. As to putting grease between the bearings, it does not lubricate the bearings nor is it there to lubricate the sleeve. My best guess it is there for the cooling properties for lower grade bearings to help transmit the heat from the center shaft to the outer housing. If I am wrong please explain why I am wrong. 🧔‍♂️

[@mikedeiana1504]

I enjoyed your video, but why don’t they may the grease go directly into the bearings instead of having to seal bearing this way they’ll never wear out

[@WesternEquipment]

This is always the question and I think there are pros and cons to doing it both ways.

[@gailjohnson6670]

Thank you for the video. Blessings to you.

[@WesternEquipment]

Thank you for watching!

[@Ez-sk8ig]

So much misinformation in this video and comment section. Spindles wear out from lack of grease, the grease is a carrier for the oil inside which lubricates. You apply grease to the zerk until you see grease come out from either a pressure valve or through a bearing. The seals on a bearing do not prevent pressurized grease from entering, they keep dust out. The metal shield on the lower outboard bearing will prevent contaminant entry. The grease does nothing for the spacer, which is sitting on the inner races of the bearings and rotates at the same speed as the blades, pulleys and shaft. The spacers are there to keep the bearings in the correct position in the housings so that when clamping loads are applied to the shaft, it does not crack the soft aluminum housing. There is rattle and play because it is not a tightened assembly yet. You need to fill the cavity until it you have pressurized the rubber seals on the bearing and the grease forces into the bearing, this can take 50 to 100 pumps from a hand greasegun if you have not properly greased a spindle. Stop when you see grease coming out. It's that simple. 4 or 5 pumps will not accomplish what you desire, you need to fill the empty spaces and force grease into the bearings.

[@WesternEquipment]

Thank you for the thorough comment and thanks for watching!

[@hairycods2273]

Finally a person who understands how these spindles work and everyone who questions there spindles need to read ur comment thank you!

[@robertfuqua-i5b]

Great video. How much grease is needed for new JD X300 spindles? thanks

[@philliphall5198]

I just spent the day dropping deck and taking apart three spindles to remove inter cover on brging for customer He’s a old farmer and not stupid

[@WesternEquipment]

Not a bad thing to do.

[@toddrhine7648]

I wish there would be someone who has a transparent spindle and demistrate how and where the grease actually goes within the spindle. That would solve all the issues about the so called sealed bearings, upper & lower. What do you all think?

[@WesternEquipment]

This would be really cool! Maybe something to think about. Thanks for watching!

[@sophiebere3825]

Thanks for the informative session. Sorry if this is a stupid question but how often should the spindles be greased?

[@WesternEquipment]

Not a stupid question at all, I meant to include this in the video and completely missed it. This should be done every 50 hours or annually and also any time your machine is washed with water or is exposed to rain or any other heavy moisture. I hope this helps and thanks for watching!

[@flyingjeff1984]

Thank you

[@vincentvanpaepeghem4844]

Great video Brent! Lots of great information on keeping the spindles grease and maintenance upkeep. Thanks for sharing! Have a great and awesome day!

[@WesternEquipment]

Thank you Vincent!

[@robertduncan2742]

A concern that I have is buying spindles which have the zerts are some have been assembled with sealed bearings which is a waste when needed greeted.

[@backwoodscharlie8483]

I really enjoy your videos they're very informative but you left out the most important part how much greased do you put in the spindle every time you pump the handle it only spits out a little bit of grease would you say 10 pumps 20 pumps 30 pumps 40 pumps give us an idea

[@WesternEquipment]

Thank you and yes, you are correct I did leave that out by accident. The best way to do this is by using a hand pump grease gun and start with only a couple of pumps and then stop when you start to feel resistance of the grease going into the spindle. Good question and thanks for watching!

[@toddrhine7648]

It seems like by the time you feel resistance from pumping grease into the spindle you may have done alot of pumps. Why is it there is hardly any grease in the spindles but in the bearings, when coming right from the factory? Being cheap or ?

[@Ez-sk8ig]

@@toddrhine7648 you are exactly right on this, grease is not cheap, well it's less expensive when you are buying it by the barrel, but still the profit is made by not using it in the first place. You have conflicting interests, you want your equipment to last 10 years, mfg wants to sell a price of equipment with a high a margin as possible. So it's on you to buy a grease gun, and fill those spindles with the 3 to 6 ounces of grease it will take to fill the void and get grease into the bearings. These bearings are usually pre greased, but that will not last forever. They will only last you about a hundred hours. Then you will be replacing them, but don't let them fool you, you can get just the bearing and replace it for roughly 6 bucks a bearing vs 120 a spindle. But to get long life, just accept that you are going to have to pump grease, depending on model it might be 40 pumps, maybe a hundred... pump till you see grease exit a bearing.

[@paulthompson1654]

hi Turbo Force decks . Try Toro Grounds Master spindles 1-1/8 to 1-1/4 shaft Cast iron housing 10 inch diameter . Blade location is u shape blade carrier welded to end of spindle . About 750hr overhaul. The later units are even tougher

[@WesternEquipment]

Interesting. Thanks for the comment and for watching!

[@jzim77]

My 2019 X380 operators manual states use either JD Multi Purpose HD Lithium Complex or JD Grease-Gard Premium Plus. Have a recommendation? There is a cost difference, but I want this tractor to last many, many years. Thanks!

[@WesternEquipment]

This would be a preference situation. Since both are recommended you are safe with both but if you want the most out of your mower then go with the higher end grease. I hope this helps and thanks for watching!

[@jzim77]

Thanks for the response! Can the Lithium grease be used on all the 380 zerks?

[@philmccoy2808]

I appreciate video. Thank you. I would want to know specifaccly how much grease and timing for 900 series? What indicator would I look for to know spindle is full? Thank you for your time.

[@jhundley2009]

I would like to know this as well

[@WesternEquipment]

@Phil McCoy and @Traveling Unhinged Great questions and definitely one I meant to hit on in the video. Greasing should be done every 50 hours or anytime you use water to wash your machine. As far as how much it will depend on the amount of usage. Use a hand pump grease gun and start with just a couple of pumps and stop as soon as you start to feel resistance of the grease wanting to go into the spindle. I hope this helps and thanks for watching!

[@philmccoy2808]

@@WesternEquipment Thank you Sir. I have enjoyed all your videos.

[@jhundley2009]

@@WesternEquipment thanks for the answer my 950 has never shown any resistance but sometimes i get grease that throws from under the pulleys

[@shanepipkin4041]

@@jhundley2009 mine also does I been grease mine 10 hours 4 pumps never resistance

[@michaelhuser964]

Love your videos. I just ordered my first zero turn a z345r. Your videos helped me decide between Toro timecutter, Cub Cadet, john deere and kubota. I was surprised that the z345r wasn't more expensive than toro or cub cadet. My only worry with the z345r is the frame which I saw from another video can flex. I was leaning towards the kubota z231 but it was out of my price range and the solid roll bar was a turn off since I have trees to cut around. Anyways, what grease do you suggest and how often do you recommend the spindles be greased?

[@WesternEquipment]

Thank you and I am glad I could help with your decision! Most of your basic greases will work but Ialways suggest the John Deere SD Polyurea TY6341 here is a link if you would like to order some 247parts.com/sd-polyurea-grease-ty6341/. This should be done every 50 hours or annually and also any time your machine is washed with water or is exposed to rain or any other heavy moisture. I hope this helps and thanks for watching!

[@altonrowell613]

I think scag has the best spindles. Tapered roller bearings.

[@WesternEquipment]

Interesting, I did not know that's what they used.

[@WBMC_Gremlin]

What grease is recommended for the spindles?

[@WesternEquipment]

I don’t think there is necessarily a recommended grease just as long as you keep the greased regularly.

[@frankburr505]

Have a z930m. Can you over Grease the mower spinals?

[@WesternEquipment]

Yes, stay tuned and I will be doing some service videos on the Z900’s soon on our other channel 247Parts. Thanks for watching!

[@ImTrenttt]

What spindles should I get for my John Deere g15 36” deck

[@WesternEquipment]

If it were me, I would go with the factory originals. The parts are still available for that model.

[@ImTrenttt]

@@WesternEquipment do you know the model number? I’ve been looking I can’t find any

[@davidm7824]

I have had to replace my bearings twice over the las 7 years because they are sealed on both sides. Removing the inner seals will not work because you need to have a way for the old grease to get out to be replaced by the new grease, while keeping dirt and water out. Any ideas on how to do that? Greasing the shaft does NOTHING, but it won't hurt anything. I have never greased the shaft and it is fine and so is the bearing pocket in the housing, not oversized or worn at all.

[@WesternEquipment]

Hmmm, I would have to do some research on that one. Good question and thanks for watching!

[@davejoseph5615]

So just remove and re-pack both bearings every year? If the inner seal was removed on the lower bearing then at least the grease could churn around and warm grease might flow downward into the bottom bearing. For the upper bearing I don't know.

[@markhansen8078]

So, what I am hearing is the grease is not for the bearings. The grease is to keep out water and to protect the spindle housing from being damaged by the oscillations of the spacer on the spindle shaft. Is that what you were saying? I did not hear you say the grease is to lubricate the bearings.

[@WesternEquipment]

That is exactly it. Thanks for watching!

[@markhansen8078]

@@WesternEquipment Why not just say that? I guarantee you 90% of the people out there think they are greasing bearings.

[@tom73055]

GREASE IN THE SPINDLE BUT HOW MUCH AND WHERE WILL IT COME OUT OF A SEALED BEARING ? CAN YOU BLOW OUT THE SEALS IF YOU OVER GREASE? THIS NEEDS SOME CLARIFICATION ON YOUR PART . THANK YOU FOR THE VIDEO

[@JefferyAshmore]

Yes you can blow seal out.

[@ottoeason51]

I just bought an S130 lawnmower. I went to grease the blade spindles but there wasn’t any grease fittings on either spindle. Is this normal?

[@WesternEquipment]

Looks like on the S130 the grease fitting are on top of the shaft like the commercial spindle shown in the video. Did you check there? I hope this helps and thanks for watching!

[@ottoeason51]

@@WesternEquipment You were right. I found the grease fittings on top. Thanks

[@jimmydickson8854]

Ye but grease won’t go into sealed bearings am I right or wrong ,

[@WesternEquipment]

This is correct. Thanks for watching!

[@JQUICK21]

My John Deere D140 has three blades with the 48" cut. Would all three spindles be the same size and I would just order three of them or are they different sizes? Have not pulled the mower deck off yet. I just lifted it up enough to get under it to change blades. but I did get new blades. I couldn't get the nuts back on and so I must need new spindles.

[@WesternEquipment]

They would be all the same but I am curious as to why the nuts won't go back on. I wouldn't think you would need new spindles. To the ends of the spindles, where the nuts go on, look like they are messed up?

[@JQUICK21]

@@WesternEquipment Yes and threads must be screwed up. I got it all taken care of and almost finished mowing when the new belt snapped. I wonder if I did not get the pulley’s back in in same position. Would that cause the belt to snap? Grass was not high & I didn’t get branches or anything under or over the deck….

[@williamodom2698]

Oh BTW they are very expensive to replace

[@WesternEquipment]

This is true. That’s why proper care, including grease is very important. Thanks for watching!

[@FishFind3000]

10:00 we all know JD thinks the owners of a 100 series are half morons so they put sealed bearings since nobody’s gonna grease it properly. That way it lasts the warranty and it’s not their problem.

[@WesternEquipment]

I can honestly say I have never heard this said and it is not only John Deere that uses sealed bearings. Thanks for watching!

[@shanepipkin4041]

that's the old style spindle on 900s the is a new updated spindle can you do a difference in them

[@WesternEquipment]

I will put it on the list and see what I can do. Thanks for watching!

[@randallfeagle2040]

How many pumps from small grease gun to fully grease the cavity? I have both spindles.

[@mikerak985]

Until you see grease ooze out somewhere

[@derrnav1530]

My question is: Does John Deere remove the shield on the inner side of spindle bearings? If so when did they start? Ande on what models? Because both my L120 had the shields on the inner side of the spindle bearings.

[@WesternEquipment]

From what I have seen, all of the 100 series spindles have sealed bearings on both sides. Once you move up into the X300 series mowers this starts to change and then it varies from model to model. Good question and thanks for watching!

[@toddcreech3763]

@@WesternEquipment I have a 2021 X380. Does this particular model have sealed bearings on both sides or just the outer sides ?

[@williamodom2698]

The zerk fitting is totally useless both bearing are sealed bearings, so you are just wasting your time and grease, with sealed bearings there is no way the grease can lubricates the bearings

[@WesternEquipment]

Like said in the video, it is still important to grease the spindles for the life of the shaft and housing. Thanks for watching.

[@ciphercode2298]

You can( if you're so inclined) take the spindle apart and pop out the inner bearing seals so that the grease reaches the bearings better. If you choose to do this though I'd suggest more frequently greasing them than the suggested 50 hour intervals.

[@georgesimpson3113]

Lots a talking, not much said...

[@WesternEquipment]

Any questions I could try to answer?