Ferris ZTR -- Why no zerks left on the front spindles ?

[SARG]

I did the greasing on our IS1500Z Ferris zero turn this morning and now have a question. The front wheel spindles have a 1/4-28 bolt that you are instructed to replace with a zerk ... do the greasing and replace with the bolt again. The position on the spindles is "out of the way" and not in jeopardy of being hit or damaged during operation.
I am confused as to why Ferris has "engineered" the maintenance this way. Does anyone have any ideas ...... pressure within the spindles ?

 

[Rebeldad1]

dont know anything about the brand etc...
but if you have ample clearance leave the zerk fittings in. spindles are pretty simple.

 

[Tippmann98]

Our Toro 3000 is the same way. Was wondering why there痴 a bolt in there instead of a zero.

 

[sixdogs]

Call the factory, not the dealer and get the answer. It's got to be something odd like the suspension travel or debris catching on it or whatever. Surely they must have a reason.

 

[kthompson]

My dealer told me was people were over greasing them and damaging the seals. Said they should only be greased once per year or so.

 

[TMGT]

My Hustler Z has sealed bearings for the front yokes, the wheel/axles have grease fittings, 800hrs (with front counterweights for the collection system) and the original bearings are still good.

I dont think they need to be greased often and maybe they had problems with the fittings getting ripped off? I've been amazed at what some employees can break.......

 

[mikester]

I did the greasing on our IS1500Z Ferris zero turn this morning and now have a question. The front wheel spindles have a 1/4-28 bolt that you are instructed to replace with a zerk ... do the greasing and replace with the bolt again. The position on the spindles is "out of the way" and not in jeopardy of being hit or damaged during operation.
I am confused as to why Ferris has "engineered" the maintenance this way. Does anyone have any ideas ...... pressure within the spindles ?

That sounds like a design problem being addressed by a lazy engineer who skipped the lecture on the KISS principal. Designed to fail.

 

[Gem99ultra]

I agree with the possibility that the zerk could easily get caught on debris and break off. Zerks are pretty fragile and have shallow threads. Some are even only press fit. Following the manufacturer's recommendation would be my suggestion.

 

[Texasmark]

I did the greasing on our IS1500Z Ferris zero turn this morning and now have a question. The front wheel spindles have a 1/4-28 bolt that you are instructed to replace with a zerk ... do the greasing and replace with the bolt again. The position on the spindles is "out of the way" and not in jeopardy of being hit or damaged during operation.
I am confused as to why Ferris has "engineered" the maintenance this way. Does anyone have any ideas ...... pressure within the spindles ?

Yes and your instruction manual answers that question. They are to be greased infrequently and (my side note) if there is no zerk you ae less likely to over grease. I guess you can push the bearing(s) out.