How Often to Grease Finish Mower Spindles?

ulflyer · May 4, 2018

I'm sure this has been asked and answered a doz times but couldn't fine it; How often should I grease my 5 foot mower that has 3 spindles with zerks on top. I usually give them 6-7 pumps each time, but have no idea how many hours its good for. No way to tell how much they hold. I see no leaks underneath when I pull the blades for sharpening. Basically I grease the whole thing when the wheel forks look like they need it. Not sure how many hours in between!

big bubba · May 4, 2018

i go about the same as my fel, around 10hrs. or just before an anticipated long run & do the wheels & spindles @ the same time
sounds like you're conscientious & will do fine

Industrial Toys · May 4, 2018

Kind of like cleaning your ears. Just do it every so often. Do it after pressure washing to force out the water.

BigBoyToys · May 4, 2018

I usually grease once a month, first weekend cut of the month. Probably amounts to 8-12 hours. When i bought my 72" RFM, it took probably 20+ pumps to fill the spindle before I saw some grease come out. With 6-7 pumps you should see grease come out. I would make sure you have your spindles properly filler.

Sawyer Rob · May 4, 2018

ONE pump EVERY time you use it... It keeps clean grease in them without over greasing...YES you can over grease.

SR

RjCorazza · May 4, 2018

I grease mine every week, which ends up being about 10h. 3-4 strokes for the spindles, 6 strokes in the front wheel hubs and king pins on (2) zero turn mowers.
One of the mowers has 1600h on the original spindles.

Oldoak · May 4, 2018

I grease my Woods RD7200 finishing mower, which I purchased in 1997, twice a year, at the beginning and end of the mowing season. 20 years later and I haven't had to replace single bearing.

Rat Rod Mac · May 5, 2018

I bought my brush hog new in 1985, my homemade garden tractor was finished in 1963 (and I use it every week in the summertime) and I give the grease fittings a pump every time I use them. Even if for only ten minutes they get greased. I have yet to replace a bearing or swivel joint. Here's "MY" rule,,, grease, oil and filters are cheap, parts and labor are expensive. RRM

D2Cat · May 5, 2018

As BigBoyToys mentioned, you have to be sure the spindle is full of grease. To understand what you're greasing there is a bearing at the top and the bottom of a tube, and on the inside is the shaft. All the area between the shaft and to housing needs to be full of grease before the bearings get adequate grease.

As you pump grease into the fitting you should be able to feel from the pressure on the lever when the area is full. After it's full very little is required to maintain, but if it's not full to begin with the amount you "maintain" with may never get it full.

Here's a picture of the bearing and the shaft. AYP Spindle Shaft With Bearings 133172 137645 137646