Acquired an old post hole driller but it needs bearings, any ideas?

stubbornrichard · Jul 4, 2009

Im not shure on the brand of the unit but the gearbox says "five star" and all serial numbers and markings are rusted away, the input shaft turns with a pipe wrench and is slowly getting easier (the gearbox was full of water) this might sound very wrong but what if i just refill it with oil replace the bottom seal and just let it run for a while and let the gear lube work its way into the rusty bearings, all i would need is just a few days of operating time on it and then i can spend the money to rebuild it this fall, my only concern is can i damage the gears in any way by doing this, and is it even possible to get parts for it and how much $ it would be

radioman · Jul 4, 2009

you might end up replacing the whole gearbox if it that old. The old timers would pump the gear box with grease instead of oil due to leaky seal and run it for years.

zman007007 · Jul 4, 2009

If you are going to replace the seal, and you can see one of the bearings, look on the outside edge of it. most of the time the number and name of manuf. will be stamped on one side of it. If you can get that info, most of the time you can get someone like Napa to cross it over to another name brand bearing if needed. Not all bearings are stamped on both sides but maybe you will get lucky. If this doesnt work I would replace the seal, and put some type of gear oil at least on the bearings if possible, because grease is not going to get into the bearings until it gets hot and starts to flow. It may be too late for the bearings then. and they will lock up. Any way you do it, you are taking a chance. Good luck. zman

Tig · Jul 4, 2009

If you can pull the bearings, a bearing shop will measure them up and sell you new ones on the spot.
You could try the fill and go but you'll have to pay close attention to how it's working. It may be ok or it could self destruct.

CCWKen · Jul 4, 2009

If you try to run with rusty bearings you'll probably scatter them over your field...Along with pieces of gears and the case. Fix the leak and buy new bearings. It will last another lifetime. Paint optional.

aggiehortguy91 · Jul 5, 2009

If the gearbox was full of water, then tear it down before you try to put power to it. Take the bearings and seals to a bearing shop or NAPA or some other reputable parts store. They should be able to find some numbers on them or at least measure them for replacements. I've never been inside an auger head, but I would guess that you are going to have 4 sets of bearings and races.

I would be surprised if there was any serious damage to the gears, but it is possible. I would try to clean up as much rust and corrosion inside the gear box as possible. After replacing bearings, races and seals, I would fill it up and run it for a little while and then drain and refill. I most certainly wouldn't try to run it for a couple of days without tearing it down if the pumpkin was full of water for any period of time.

Soundguy · Jul 7, 2009

I agree.. bearings can be replaced similar to a seal.. ie.. ID, OD, and thickness.

don't nuke the box by running with bad bearings.

soundguy

DennisMI · Jul 7, 2009

Take it apart and see if the gears are damaged by the water.

David-Davies · Jul 8, 2009

If you have a leak that persist, in slow speed machernery, winches rototillers, post hole digers, ect. get some [I think it's] 120 oil, some times refured to liquid grease. Sometings are just too worn out to fix right.