Disc axle nut tightness

[mmsb27]

Hi. I recently bought a used CountyLine (Tractor Supply) 7 foot Three point hitch disc. Three of of the disc plates were broken, so I removed the axle nut and jam nut off of two axles, and replaced them. I used my Rigid 18 volt impact gun, to tighten the 1 7/16” nuts on. I don’t have experience using a disc, let alone working on one. So…. How tight should I have made there nuts. Is it possible to have them too tight? I used the middle setting on my impact gun. Another question, does tightening affect the spinning of the axles? Any pointers on how I would know when a bearing carrier would need replaced, since this disc set has non greasable axle bearings. I had to use the impact gun to get the nuts off to replace the broken discs. Any other pointers and suggestions are appreciated. Thank you

 

[Lineman North Florida]

Tighten the nuts down good and tight, it's not gonna hurt anything and with the disc raised spin the gang and listen to the bearing, you will hear it if it's going bad and if you hear it dragging it won't be long before it needs replacing, you should be able to cross reference and get one with a grease fitting

 

[mmsb27]

Thank you very much. All 4 gangs spins, the rear two spin easier(freer) than the front two spin, but none are like spinning a something lubed. No noise, or bad bearing sounds. In other words I can turn them by hand, but not give them a spin, and they keep turning a while. I’m assuming that’s ok? Thanks again

 

[Lineman North Florida]

Thank you very much. All 4 gangs spins, the rear two spin easier(freer) than the front two spin, but none are like spinning a something lubed. No noise, or bad bearing sounds. In other words I can turn them by hand, but not give them a spin, and they keep turning a while. I’m assuming that’s ok? Thanks again

After you use it some they may actually spin a little better, you know knock the dust off.

 

[TractorTech]

As Lineman says, tighten them good and tight.
That said, I would use the highest setting on your Milwaukee. Better yet, get a 4' cheater on a breaker bar and get it tighter.

 

[mmsb27]

Thank you very much! I appreciate your advice.

 

[sweettractors]

Hi. I recently bought a used CountyLine (Tractor Supply) 7 foot Three point hitch disc. Three of of the disc plates were broken, so I removed the axle nut and jam nut off of two axles, and replaced them. I used my Rigid 18 volt impact gun, to tighten the 1 7/16” nuts on. I don’t have experience using a disc, let alone working on one. So…. How tight should I have made there nuts. Is it possible to have them too tight? I used the middle setting on my impact gun. Another question, does tightening affect the spinning of the axles? Any pointers on how I would know when a bearing carrier would need replaced, since this disc set has non greasable axle bearings. I had to use the impact gun to get the nuts off to replace the broken discs. Any other pointers and suggestions are appreciated. Thank you

I would recommend tightening as you did and then retighten all 4 after using a couple hours. Also, you may want to double nut each axle if you have trouble with them backing off and getting loose. Ken Sweet

 

[mmsb27]

Thanks Ken. I was concerned about over tightening, thinking I could somehow stress, or impede the bearings. The axles each have a nut, and then a nylock(sp?) nut. I bought new Nylocks. After I use it a bit, I’ll check tightness, and snug the new ones on it. Thanks for your help

 

[TractorTech]

If they are 1-7/16” nuts across the flats, I assume 7/8” axles. Pretty hard to over torque with the Milwaukee, but follow up torque as Sweet suggests is good advise. Periodically inspect for loosening depend on use.

 

[mmsb27]

They are 1 7/16” nuts, the axles are 1” square. Since I felt the axles should spin freely like a roulette wheel, I was concerned I might have over tightened the nuts. I’m glad to hear that being very tight is the correct way. The axles spin, but only as I turn them. I imagine as others stated above, it might loosen up, after use. The disc was sitting for a while. I really wish the bearings had grease fittings, but many bearings these days don’t. Thanks for your advice.