FERGUSON TO20 SPIRALLY FLUTED REAR AXLES

I read all the posts about the after-market rear axle seals, and bought the Tisco set. My TO20 is an early one (I think), serial number 2649. When I pulled the axles, I found that the axles have been forged with spiral flutes inboard of the axle bearing collar so that oil is actually channeled into the bearing as the axle turns. There is NO smooth surface for the after market seals to rub/run on, and I doubt the seals will last a week. Is this just because my tractor is early? No one else said anything about the spiral flutes. The aftermarket seals are completely worthless with these axles. I have used the aftermarket seals on several other brands of tractors over the years and they worked fine. I have never run into this problem, before.

UPDATE:
I must have had one aftermarket axle, because when I pulled the other axle, it already had an old aftermarket seal and a normal axle. The "stock" appearing axle has the number TO4254 CAST into the axle in the center of the hub. The fluted axle has TO4254 STAMPED in the same location in 1/4 in letters/numbers. Other than the seal surface, the axles are absolutely identical. Unfortunately, several of you have sent me e-mails asking for pictures, but I had already installed the new seal, and the flutes are now just barely visible, not enough to show up in a picture I don't think, but I will look very carefully. The flutes were actually a very good idea providing the original seal is perfect. They probably came up with the design before anybody came up with the aftermarket seals. Look at the ends of your axles. If the number is cast on, you should be fine, but if the number is stamped on, you may have a morphodite seal surface. I wonder who could have made axles like that?

I will jump in. I did sure seals on the wife's Fergy and do not remember the flutes. Even if i did see them I
would still consider short fiber wheel bearing grease to be thick enough that the flutes in the axle not to be
an issue.
Looks like you will either be looking for a set of axles or replace the original seal or run what you have.

(quoted from post at 06:12:20 05/03/15) I will jump in. I did sure seals on the wife's Fergy and do not remember the flutes. Even if i did see them I
would still consider short fiber wheel bearing grease to be thick enough that the flutes in the axle not to be
an issue.
Looks like you will either be looking for a set of axles or replace the original seal or run what you have.

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Thanks Bruce! Are you in Oregon? I am in Idaho.

Idaho. Sure is pretty in Idaho up around Sandpoint. Been through there once or twice. I am over here 18 miles NW of Portland on top of a hill with no neighbors on 4 sides. Got me BLM on two sides and Longview fiber company on the other two. Everyone is busy growing trees except me on a 20 acre plot in the middle. Multnomah county, Hillsboro address and the back 1/2 of the property belongs to the Scappose fire district another 12 miles away. Closest neighbor to me is about 1/2 mile away any direction. 1/4 mile if you cut through the woods and that only takes about 5 times as long as the road does.I told the wife we could sell and move off to Idaho. She said it was not close enough to the Pacific. Looks like I might get to go west from here, someday.
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(quoted from post at 23:01:20 05/02/15) I read all the posts about the after-market rear axle seals, and bought the Tisco set. My TO20 is an early one (I think), serial number 2649. When I pulled the axles, I found that the axles have been forged with spiral flutes inboard of the axle bearing collar so that oil is actually channeled into the bearing as the axle turns. There is NO smooth surface for the after market seals to rub/run on, and I doubt the seals will last a week. Is this just because my tractor is early? No one else said anything about the spiral flutes. The aftermarket seals are completely worthless with these axles. I have used the aftermarket seals on several other brands of tractors over the years and they worked fine. I have never run into this problem, before.

Click to expand...

houldnt the smooth seal lip surface be on the other side of the bearing? Doesn't make sense for the seal to be on the same side of the bearing as the flutes unless the bearing is sealed.

(reply to post at 09:02:17 05/04/15)

Click to expand...

These are aftermarket seals that are designed to go inboard of the the bearing. As you install them, you have to pack the bearings with wheel bearing grease because the differential oil will no longer (hopefully) reach the bearing. You end up with an outer and an inner seal. The appeal of the the aftermarket seal is that you don't have to destroy the pressed on axle collar, press off the bearing, install the seal, then repress on the bearing and the collar. The after market seal goes over the shaft locking collar.

Please see my update.