Hot or not? - MMM spindles

hazmat · Aug 15, 2004

After 1 hour mowing, my spindles are hot to the touch - but not "burn your finger" hot. Is this normal? I follow the recommended grease schedule - more or less (don't log MMM hours). But it is hard to tell when You've got enough grease as you can't see it come out the other side. I usually give it 3 shots with the gun.

thcri · Aug 15, 2004

Haz,

Are you touching them at the top or underneath. Mine don't seem to get hot from the top and I guess I have never reached underneath. Loosen your belt way up maybe even take off and check for slopage in your bearings.

Murph

dass · Aug 16, 2004

The 914 series MMMs are well built and the cut is as good as any....but ! I had mine for three years and about 275 hrs. In that time frame I went through three belts. The first one went because I OVER greased those spindles and the pulleys threw the stuff all over the belt. (1) Take the cover (s) off and count the number of pumps it takes to fill each spindle cup. Fill untill you just see or feel the grease around the bottom of the pulleys. (2) Run for 10 hrs. Repeat (1). Now you'll know how much to grease after 10 hrs without removing the covers or over greasing. Also check belt tension as per manual. And the spindles should be about the same temp as the gearbox. With the right care,hazmat, these 914s will hold up well.

hazmat · Aug 16, 2004

Murph - its the top that I'm feeling.

Dass - Thanks for the tips. I'll check the gearbox temp next time. I take the covers off to grease - they don't seem to want to stay on - starboard side falls off every other cutting. The belt is adjusted per instructions (at least it was this spring).

Enidguy · Aug 16, 2004

Mine also get very, very warm after a period of use.

Rowski · Aug 16, 2004

Was this the same before and after you installed the Gator Mulcher blades?

I know on the JD318 when I added the Gator blades my spindle bearing life went to down hill. But the JD318 has non geaseable spindle bearings. Will not give up my Gator baldes.

Just a thought.

thcri · Aug 17, 2004

Good thought Derek,

Since I have installed my Gator blades my tractor does work harder when mowing, however, you are moving a lot more air under the deck which I would think would help cool the spindle from underneath?? Just me thinking but the Gator's could have something to do with it. Also keep in mind since the Gators are sold through New Holland I am sure New Holland has tested or approved the blades you would think anyway??

murph and won't give up my Gator Blades

have_blue · Aug 17, 2004

Just for your info, even well greased spindles under no load eventually get hot. Even grease-on-grease friction is enough to warm things up after a lot of mowing. The spindles probably start out at 80-85F, which is only 35F from the 120 Deg. "hot" threshold. "Burn you" hot is ~150F, and while not the best condition, is still not extremely detrimental to the grease or any rubber components. "Burn you quick" is what you want to avoid at all cost.

PineRidge · Aug 17, 2004

I have been using a KK RFM for some years now and I can tell you even though I keep the spindles greased they do get very, very warm when mowing. They always have.....

SacandagaBrad · Aug 18, 2004

Haz,

I just finished mowing and mine were hot too. But no more so than my 50" deck on the Gravely, which is very a similar construction. They're spinning at about 2900 rpms on the 60" 914A, plus all the heat blowing down from the motor, I guess its no surprise. May be a good thing in that it might help drive out any moisture that could build up inside between grease jobs!

Brad