Preparing to do axle seals(TO-30)

I have a shop manual and parts and a pretty good understanding of what I need to do.

A couple questions for those who have done it though- when putting the hot shrink collar on, can this be done with a sturdy block of wood and a solid hammer? I've installed "press-fit" components on things this way before but never anything that has to be heated so I'm a little worried. I was thinking about going out and buying one of the shop presses that harbor freight sells. Would that be a good investment for this project or will I be able to make do with my hammer?

The presses in question:
http://www.harborfreight.com/12-ton-shop-press-33497.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/20-ton-shop-press-32879.html

Second question: did Ferguson ever use asbestos in their brake pad linings? I'll be replacing those and wondered if I needed to get out my respirator for the job.

Third...
I plan to refill the transmission with new oil when done. I am located in WI and may very well be using the tractor on days when it's below 0ºF. I may intermittently use it on hot summer days too. So what oil do I want? I'm aware OEM was 90w gear oil and I've read everything from that's the only thing I should use to use universal trans/hydraulic fluid to use motor oil. What's the straight answer on this? If any of those works, which is my guess, would 20w50 motor oil be a good choice?[/url]

Good looking presses! wish they were that cheap in
Australia. I used an old electric frying pan that I
bought for five dollars at a charity shop to heat
the bearings I fitted to my ted 20's belt pulley .
Works well and should work for the collars.

Hi, In no manual does it say"gear oil" you are
asking for trouble in cold weather. The Ferg man.
says "straight mineral oil" MF 1103. I have heard
that may not be avail. so use GL-1. Some use type
A or equiv. and that works. If you use gear oil,
you will have trouble on a very cold morning with
hyd components not moving as they should. On the
seals, why not use a shur seal avail on this site
and many places. You save all that "tricky" work.
Chuck

(quoted from post at 08:28:59 09/22/11) Hi, In no manual does it say"gear oil" you are
asking for trouble in cold weather. The Ferg man.
says "straight mineral oil" MF 1103. I have heard
that may not be avail. so use GL-1. Some use type
A or equiv. and that works. If you use gear oil,
you will have trouble on a very cold morning with
hyd components not moving as they should. On the
seals, why not use a shur seal avail on this site
and many places. You save all that "tricky" work.
Chuck

Click to expand...

It was my understanding that the shur-seals didn't work on the to-30.

I guess you are right. TO 20 only. Sorry, Chuck

Ok I got the axle/hub assembly out tonight. I'm noticing a lot of play in the bearing now that I have it off which I couldn't detect with it installed. Is this a normal thing that's OK and a non-issue when the hub is bolted back on or does this indicate the bearing is badly worn and needs to be replaced?

That would be normal till rebolted to the Hsg.