Axle Grease Question

guido · May 5, 2017

Hello,

We have a Troy built 42" tractor, that blew the differential housing. About a 1" hole. 12 years old, all else is in good shape. It only has reverse, lost forward drive. New assembly is ordered. Why they put grease in them instead of oil? I guess the new assembly will also have grease in it? Anything I need to do before I install the new unit? Any snake oil?

Guido.

Tom Arnold · May 5, 2017

Take the original unit apart. What failed? And did the failed parts show signs of being dry...in other words....no lubrication. Grease is often used because unlike oil, it will not leak out of the housing.

guido · May 6, 2017

Hello Tom Harnold,

I am replacing the whole unit with a new one. I have no reason or curiosity of why it failed. Used hard and lack of proper lubrication is my guess. My other guess is that is cheaper to built it that way. Oil does not LEAK OUT, as you stated. Many oil lubricated gears out there that run trouble free for thousands of miles, including your daily driver. If the new assembly lasts just as long, it will probably be replaced with another one before it goes to pieces again,

Guido.

T.R.K. · May 6, 2017

Congratulations on getting 12 years out of that lawnmower. Back when our shop did warranty work, we used to replace several Troybilt transmissions each year, while the mower was still under warranty.

Your question about why grease in the transaxle?: Everything on that tractor is designed to give 'reasonable service' at the lowest possible cost. But sometimes I think 'reasonable service' is about 2 months out of warranty period. So if you only put grease in the transaxle it doesn't need heavy duty seals to keep it from leaking oil, which would be a no-no on the customer's garage floor and thereby also saving a few pennies on the cost of the tractor. Shoot!-Most times the axles don't even have proper bearings-they just turn on the aluminum housing. Most homeowners don't bother to even check the engine oil so it is doubtful they would ever check the level in the transmission. And grease must have got the job done. Yours lasted 12 years.

guido · May 7, 2017

Hello t.r.k.,

Not my mower but you are right. 12 years hard life,( was use to plow snow!) Is good service. I know that they get used hard and put away dirty. I guess its all about economics. New differential is on order, should be here in a couple of days, cheaper then a new one, and I provide free labor,

Guido.

Axle Grease Question

guido

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Tom Arnold

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guido

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T.R.K.

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guido

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