Ford 201 disc questions

According to the owners manual they could be equipped with either white metal bearings or something called "anti-friction" bearings. Mine has the white metal bearings with 2 grease fittings per bearing. There was a chunk out of one of the bearing halves but I've been using it like that 50-100 acres per year with no problems so far. I've worn down the front cutaway discs they now need replace, they look like 18" blades.

Does anyone know what the "anti-friction" bearings were? Were they sealed ball bearings with no grease fittings? Were they any good? The picture in the book isn't too clear.

Another question. Are any of you familiar with a Ferguson 3-pt model 22 disk with white metal bearings? I have one with 24 blades that I've used a lot behind the 2000 but the bearings are getting shot even though I keep them greased. It could be from running it in soft somewhat sandy soil. The bearing halves and spools are still available from Agco/MF but they cost an arm and a leg, maybe close to $100 for each piece, so X8 it wouldn't pay to replace all. Is there a cheaper source for these parts or some other way to repair it? The bearings are so worn that some of the blades are rubbing on the frame. I'm using it again about 50-100 acres per year.

The 10' disk is unique from all the others (6½', 7½' and 8½') in that the frame is wider. The bearing hangers are different for the ball bearing disk. Some day I would like to find a disk with the ball bearings and try to switch mine over. I hope you can still get the bearings if you need them, they should be cheaper than the cast iron pieces. The 10' disk could have been set up either Cat1 or Cat2 hitch. Mine has Cat1 lower pins but Cat2 toplink, and the hitch is wide like a Cat2. I guess someone was mixing and matching.

How long ago did you get those parts from Shoup? And what was the make of that disk? It seems like Shoup has cleaned out a lot of the old stuff from the catalog in recent years. Maybe I will give them a call or email.

Jerry