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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

Curious...bearing or hub packing

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RandyN

10-06-2004 16:06:12




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Hi Everyone!

I'm curious to hear feedback. It seems like whenever I pull a front hub off of a tractor, the whole hub is packed full of grease. Isn't packing the bearings sufficient, or is there a valid reason to pack more grease into the hub? Seems like friction takes place on the bearings, not in the air space of the hub.

Thanks!




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wdTom

10-07-2004 17:29:53




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 Re: Curious...bearing or hub packing in reply to RandyN, 10-06-2004 16:06:12  
While I generally agree with the information here on when to fill a hub and when not to, there is a third option for high speed hubs. That is to fill the hub to the level of the bearing, that is work grease into the outside surface of the hub between the bearings up to the level of about the roller cage. This way the bearing has all that grease it can draw lube from,(oil). This is what I have done for the last 35 years and sometimes I go 10 years and 75 to 100,000 mi. between cleaning and greasing hubs, no problems. I use a good grease, spotless clean, and fill to the middle (roughly) of the roller cage. Have had 0 bearing problems. For slow speed hubs just pump in more grease to flush it through the bearing and force the dirt and oil out that can get into a tractor hub, (or ilmplement).

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Cosmo

10-07-2004 15:57:51




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 Re: Curious...bearing or hub packing in reply to RandyN, 10-06-2004 16:06:12  
My MF has grease fittings on the cap. I keep 'em full. Makes it hard for dirt and water to get in.



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Red Dave

10-07-2004 05:11:37




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 Re: Curious...bearing or hub packing in reply to RandyN, 10-06-2004 16:06:12  
You're right about the fricton being in the bearing, not the hub. I know we have trouble with some electric motors when they get too much grease in the bearings, the heat can't get away and the bearing actually runs hotter with too much grease. Sounds crazy, but that's what happens. I think that for tractor applications, the hubs don't turn fast enough for that to happen.

For tractor hubs, I don't think it matters which way you do it.

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Hermit

10-06-2004 18:31:30




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 Re: Curious...bearing or hub packing in reply to RandyN, 10-06-2004 16:06:12  
According to the IH Service Manual for Farmall M's(CHS-87, dated 7-14-47), "Do not fill the wheel hub with grease. Work fresh grease into the roller retainers and repack bearings only." It doesn't give a reason why or why not.



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Mark - IN.

10-06-2004 18:00:50




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 Re: Curious...bearing or hub packing in reply to RandyN, 10-06-2004 16:06:12  
I've always only packed the bearing and coated the race. By tightening down on, the retainer will force some excess out as the bearings are seated and compressed. As far as filling the cap before putting it on, I don't see where it would hurt anything, so if it makes someone feel better, do it to it. To me, extra grease is undo extra mess to clean, and it's just like yellow mustard - get one tiny spot on you, and next thing you know, you're somehow coated from head to toe, in places you never touched either.

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Sid

10-06-2004 17:59:05




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 Re: Curious...bearing or hub packing in reply to RandyN, 10-06-2004 16:06:12  
I think packing the bearings is probably sufficient I know I have done that on cars for as long as I can rember. I have grease zerks on the front hubs of one of my tractors and whenever I have run them under water I wil pump several squirts of grease. I hold to the opinion that the hub full of grease helps keep water out. I know of some people who keep the hubs full of grease on their boat trailers. So yes I think there is a valid reason for keeping the hubs full of grease. Especially during the wet muddy season.

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Jon H

10-06-2004 18:15:46




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 Re: Curious...bearing or hub packing in reply to Sid, 10-06-2004 17:59:05  
Depends on the application, for high speed wheel bearings that run in dry conditions,pack only the bearings.I have heard that overfilling the hub with grease will cause churning and heating of grease at high speed. For wheels that have to run in very wet conditions at low speed,fill the hub completly with grease to keep out water and condensation. If possible have a grease fitting in the hub to keep it totally full of grease. I had endless problems with rusty wheel bearings on both my self propelled and pull type sprayer,caused by running them in very wet conditions. The problem ended when I added grease fittings to the hubs and keep them totally full of grease.

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