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?
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?