Brillion Cultipacker/Pulverizer Bearing Replacement

[Shinace]

I recently picked up an old Brillion cultipacker at an auction. The Brillion manual actually calls it a pulverizer. It consists of a 10 ft wide unit and two 5 ft pups. Once I got the three pieces home, I noticed that the bearings on either end of the 10 ft unit appeared to be bad. Also noticed a grease fitting on each of the end caps. I then checked the bearings on the pups and they appeared to be OK but there were no grease fitting on the end caps. I learned that the pups both have permanently lubed bearings while the 10 ft has needle bearings that require lube. I have since then disassembled the end brackets from the 10 ft. and removed the bearing housing. Yes, the bearings are toast along with some wear on the shafts and the inside of bearing housings. The wear is nearly identical on each end. It is not extreme but bad enough that new bearings will not last long on those surfaces. I have found a source where I can purchase replacement bearings (1C-83) but can't find replacement stub shafts (1C-24) or bearing housings (1C-520). So what are my options? Wooden or bronze bushing in place of needle bearing? Is .035" of tapered wear on shaft too much for even a bushing? Can the needle bearings be converted to permanent lube bearings like what the pups have? It looks like I may be able to get that bearing housing but I haven't been able to find that stub shaft. I might be able to machine existing shaft to the required square shape to fit the bearing. I was able to remove the stub shaft casting from the end of the 4" axle but I cant figure out how to get the 2" shaft out of the casting. Any suggestions/recommendations out there?

 

[bullbreaker]

If you run into trouble these folks in Ohio should have the parts for that About Us - DN Equipment

 

[Ultradog MN]

A photo or two would help.

 

[Shinace]

 

[sixdogs]

I've bought parts for those from Brillion (through a dealer). I looked the item and price up on-line at Messicks, I think and ordered the parts. Most Brillion things share common parts and the only part I could not find from Brillion was an old decal. They have everything and I didn't think the prices were all that bad. Brillion is a great company.

 

[Shinace]

In case anyone is interested, I think I have come up with a relatively inexpensive solution for worn out bearings, housings and shafts on an old Brillion cultipacker. I was unable to find replacement Bearing Housings (IC-520) or Stub Shaft Castings (IC-24). I did, however, find a four-bolt flange bearing (UCFC210) whose hole pattern is close enough to fit the two bearing ***'y mounting holes on the Brillion End Brackets. A two-bolt flange bearings' hole pattern is too wide. The bearings are self-aligning and will function similar to the original Brillion "ball & socket" setup. I removed the Stub Shaft Castings from the 4" axle and turned the worn shafts down to 1-15/16" to fit the new flange bearings. Fortunately, I have a metal lathe in my workshop. I also made a collar on the lathe to fit between the "pilot" on the back side of the new bearing and the End Bracket in order to keep the bearing centered. I made the collar just long enough to also hold the Bearing Cap (2C-983) in place since I plan to re-use that part of the original bearing ***'y in order to cover the back end of the shafts that extends thru the bearings. The new bearings were $32 ea. and the 5" OD x 4" ID x 6" long steel tubing, I bought to make the collars, cost me $40. I'm including some pictures of the new setup although I have not yet fully assembled the cultipacker yet (still painting some of the parts). I don't anticipate any issues but I will post them if they arise. I hope this will help someone else who is attempting to resurrect their old cultipacker.

 

[HobbyFarmerDude]

I just bought a similar one that I plan to take apart and rehab. Did you get everything back together? Did everything work out as you planned?

 

[wolc123]

I rebuilt an old, 8 ft single row cultipacker about 15 years ago. Both bearings were shot, one cast iron side frame was busted beyond repair, and two of the iron wheels were broke. The price was right (1 case of cheap beer).

I cut the worn ends off the shaft and replaced both cast iron side frames with steel ones from an old roller that my grandfather had. It was made for wood bearings. I used pressure treated 4x4’s, and a hole saw, 1/8” bigger than the shaft diameter, to make new wood bearings.

Discarding the two broken wheels, it is now 7 ft wide and works perfect behind my 6 ft 2-section drag for final seedbed prep, prior to planting. I use it on about 4 acres of corn every spring for that, and for pushing in equal acreage of broadcast wheat and clover each fall.

Those pressure treated wood bearings have held up great and have never needed lubrication. It works so well, that I am making a second one to leave over at my parents place, about 20 miles away. I got another beat-up old 8 footer from a neighbor for $40 last summer. Hopefully I will have it reworked by the fall planting season.

I get way better germination of cultipacked wheat/clover, than I do with substitutes, like dragging a log, planting just before rain, or making multiple passes with atv tires.