Idler pulley on GC2300 MMM

[EMS503]

This is the 2nd idler pulley for my 60" MMM That I am putting on in 2 years.
Is anybody else having this problem or heard of any upgrades. This pulley has a sealed bearing so there is no way to grease it. I spray it with WD 40 when I service the deck. I have one on order with Massey should be here in a few days. Guess I am going to have to keep one in stock for the next time

 

[ray66v]

I have not heard of this. I would not use the WD40, contrary to popular belief, it is not a good long term lubricant. Best case here, it attracts dirt. Worst case, it dissolves the grease thats in the bearing. And then because it evaporates, it could leave the bearing drier than when you started.

 

[tx2310]

Is the pulley setting where it collects water? I have been wanting to drill a drain hole in the pulley since if it fills with water it puts the bearings under water. And WD40 is only good to clean the bearings and offer no lubrication for a bearing.

Doug

 

[EMS503]

Thanks for the info on WD 40 I have used it for years and never heard any of this. Water is not an issue here. I spray off the deck and then run it to throw off any puddled water. The pulley where the belt runs looks fine, Just the bearing completly shot.

 

[tx2310]

WD40 is short for Water Dispersant 40 days. They also made a WD20. It was originally used for a short term preservative for machined parts that could be easily removed when they were assembled into finished products. At least this is what I was told years ago and it sounded good to me.

Doug

 

[ray66v]

Best way to pick a light weight general purpose oil is to staple small pieces of steel wool to a piece of plywood, and then spray each with a different lubricant product you like. Lean the board against the side of a building, where it gets the weather, and see which piece lasts the longest. The lubricant I use, was marketed this way, and it sold me.

WD40 will be one of the first to go, (followed by all the other favorites). WD40 is ok for tools with a light layer of rust, unsticking hinges or other things, and starting stubborn lawnmowers, (not kidding), [remove air cleaner, spray inside carb, choke opening with your hand while someone pulls the cord. Starts FIRST try almost every time.]

The best all around lubricant I have found, is Howes Multi-Purpose Lubricator, Howes Lubricator: Products, wins above test hands down. Cannot be washed off with water, put some on your hands and try, even with soap, it is hard to remove, and evaporates very slowly.
Its also very hard to find for sale.
Mac Tools is one distributor. I buy it in a half gallon jug. and fill pump spray bottles with it.

 

[irvingj]

EMS503-- I'll echo the sentiments of others; working in HVAC for a number of years, we learned --sometimes the hard way-- that WD40, or any light oil, is death to bearings on electric motors beacuse it just doesn't last and has a tendency to "wash" bearings. We all carried small bottles with spouts that we'd load with 30W non-detergent oil for this purpose. I still use that method myself, and only last year, after 21 years of running, had to replace the blower motor in my water-source heat pump.

RAY66v-- Thanks for the tip on Howes lubricants- I'll be checking that out!

 

[DEWFPO]

What are your symptoms with a bad pulley bearing besides noise, drag?

DEWFPO

 

[allenr]

The only way I've found to keep idler pulley bearings running is to extend the hub that holds the bearing so it can accept two bearings and then fit a grease nipple to push grease between the two bearings.

Remove the inner seals of both bearings with a minature screwdriver before fitting.

Usually requires machining, brazing, rivetting equipment and skills to do this

 

[EMS503]

The only warning I get from the pulley is a chattering sound when I am mowing. I check all my pullies when I do maintence on the deck. It does not wobble or feel loose. So I guess the only warning I get is the chattering.
Maybe I am doing some harm to the bearing with the WD 40, So I will stop using that on my bearings. Putting the double bearings is a bit above my skills I really think MF should make this pulley with a grease fitting, I think that would cure the problem.