disc harrow bearings

mikeydchicago34 · Dec 6, 2008

i am restoring a disc harrow that has a square axle. the bearings was a round bore with a 6" pipe going through it. The square axle slid through the pipe. Is this the correct setup for a square axle? I need to replace the bearings so should i get a square bore bearing or continue with the round bore and the setup it is in. Attached is a picture of the axle, flange, round bore bearing and pipe that goes thru the bearing. any help is appreciated.

RickB · Dec 7, 2008

Without knowing for sure, I'd say if the pipe is fitted through two half-spools and the bearing, it's factory. If the pipe is there spacing the bearing to the axle AND doing the job of the half-spools, it's a cob job. How are the other bearings on the disc set up?

flusher · Dec 7, 2008

mikeydchicago34 said:
i am restoring a disc harrow that has a square axle. the bearings was a round bore with a 6" pipe going through it. The square axle slid through the pipe. Is this the correct setup for a square axle? I need to replace the bearings so should i get a square bore bearing or continue with the round bore and the setup it is in. Attached is a picture of the axle, flange, round bore bearing and pipe that goes thru the bearing. any help is appreciated.

My old Towner 6-ft offset disc has square axles and simple three-piece bearings.

The bearing spool (attached to the axle in the 2nd photo) slides onto the square axle. The two outer bearing pieces fit over the spool and are held in place by a pair of bolts that also carry an attachment bracket that holds the disc gang to the frame. There's a lube tube that attaches to one of the outer bearing pieces for greasing the bearing.

Your disc bearing looks quite a bit different from mine. Hope this helps.

mikeydchicago34 · Dec 7, 2008

RickB said:
Without knowing for sure, I'd say if the pipe is fitted through two half-spools and the bearing, it's factory. If the pipe is there spacing the bearing to the axle AND doing the job of the half-spools, it's a cob job. How are the other bearings on the disc set up?

The other bearings are setup the same way. It just seems that having a round bore bearing with a pipe through it never engages the bearing to rotate. The square axle just rotates inside of the pipe. Seems pointless to have a bearing that never rotates. Do you agree? And yes the pipe does have 2 half spools that go over it to act as spacers. It looks all factory setup just doesnt seem to do what it was intended to do.

Farmwithjunk · Dec 7, 2008

I've seen round axles in square bearings, square axles in round, mixed spools, disc blades, ect, and some were ORIGINAL. So long as they fit up with no excess slop, an will tighten up safe, solid, and secure........NO HARM - NO FOUL.

The strength and "structural integrity" of a disc gang is all about the axle being torqued T.I.G.H.T. The spools and blades are sandwiched together in such a way that there shouldn't be the need for a precision fit befitting of a Swiss watch.

If this was a massive, super-heavy-duty disc with 300 or 400 lbs per blade, I'd be more apt to want squares in squares and rounds in rounds. But with the weight and duty rating you're looking at, I wouldn't go to extra-ordinary measures to CHANGE what you have. It worked just fine up until now. No reason to suspect it won't go another "lifetime".

kthompson · Dec 8, 2008

It does seem strange but that does not mean it is not factory. But if the bearings are not doing their job, then why do you have to replace them? It is possible when the axle is tighten as has been pointed out that squeeze is sufficient to engage the bearing properly. If the bearing is not turning then it would seem the square axle is rotating in side the pipe. If that is correct then the inside of the pipe and the square axle should be showing wear.

blueriver · Dec 8, 2008

Those bearings and flanges in the picture can be picked up at TSC

RickB · Dec 8, 2008

mikeydchicago34 said:
The other bearings are setup the same way. It just seems that having a round bore bearing with a pipe through it never engages the bearing to rotate. The square axle just rotates inside of the pipe. Seems pointless to have a bearing that never rotates. Do you agree? And yes the pipe does have 2 half spools that go over it to act as spacers. It looks all factory setup just doesnt seem to do what it was intended to do.

If the gang is TIGHT like it is supposed to be, the half-spools will butt up against the bearing inner race and force it to turn along with the half-spools, pipe, and gang bolt. Probably is the factory setup.

FWJ has it right; you simply can't allow a disc gang to run loose.