Kubota3710
Bronze Member
Good grief. What a great idea I should have thought of. Thanks for the help.
Kubota zerk grease fitting size
- Thread starter gwdixon
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Ken45101
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If the Zerk flange is part of the seal, you might need a flat washer instead of a lock washer.
varmint
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Tractors, made in Japan, have metric zerks. Kubota loaders, made in USA, have SAE zerks. Mostly. I also have had trouble finding the right zerk fitting for loaders.
Coyote machine
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Seems Kubota and Kioti, and possibly other manufacturers use whatever is available at the best price for their zerks. The Kioti zerks are BSP, British standard pipe, which is just another, albeit obscure, standard in thread types. 1/4, 28 is, for example 1/4 inch by 28 threads/ inch. And yes, some threads are straight, some are tapered, etc. It just depends on what is speckled by the manufacturer from what is available.
I found a zerk on the stabilizer pad pin area of my Kioti, that had been over tapped at the factory, so the zerk bottomed out on the pin and would not allow grease to pass into the recess. I removed the zerk, wrapped it with t- tape and reinserted it until it was snug but not too tight. It's done the job since the mod.:thumbsup:
I found a zerk on the stabilizer pad pin area of my Kioti, that had been over tapped at the factory, so the zerk bottomed out on the pin and would not allow grease to pass into the recess. I removed the zerk, wrapped it with t- tape and reinserted it until it was snug but not too tight. It's done the job since the mod.:thumbsup:
KYKub
Silver Member
Hi Kubota3710. I have a machine almost identical to yours, a G1900. I, too, had trouble getting the front PTO zerk to accept grease. By the way, I've never found zerks to fit the Kubota; even the "metric" ones usually have too wide a thread pitch. I've had enough from other old equipment to get by but will probably have to order a few from the dealer at some point.
Anyway, I found that the problem was the sleeve behind the zerk (inside the housing) had shifted so that the hole in it did not align with the zerk. Grease couldn't flow but it wasn't a problem with the zerk. I removed the zerk and carefully drilled a small hole through the zerk hole, in the internal sleeve and it worked like a charm. I wondered if it might shift again but so far, after using it probably half of last season, it still works fine. Just greased it last weekend.
Since you have to drill straight up, shavings going into the area shouldn't be a problem.
Good luck!
David_Kb7uns
Veteran Member
Be careful if you grind the threaded end of a zerk, there is a flange that is rolled flat to keep spring and ball in.
I have both the metric and sae zerk kits from Harbor Freight and have not found any on the tractor that have not been able to replace.
David
I have both the metric and sae zerk kits from Harbor Freight and have not found any on the tractor that have not been able to replace.
David
Kubota3710
Bronze Member
I found my problem, although it required taking the front end apart to find it. When I took the front PTO shaft out, I ended up with a handful of ball bearings and the bearing housing is stuck in the front axle support (PTO shaft goes into that). That explains the serious squeal I have been hearing. So since the bearing housing was stuck in the axle support, I took off the front axle support and found the grease hole plugged solid with crud. So I'm going to a tool shop Wednesday to see if they can get the bearing housing out of the front axle support and then I will replace it with the two new bearings I purchased at Kubota. If it can't be salvaged, I will order a new $100 support shaft.
And Kykub, based on your comments, I will relook at how I reinstall to make sure the grease hole is lined up. I thought the bolts made it impossible for them to NOT line up, but now relooking at the parts diagram, I see it is possible to screw that up.
And I did finally find a part number for the grease fitting on the front axle/knuckle arm page, which isn't intuitive when looking for the grease nipple. It is a 45 deg one, Kubota 67111-44250. Personally, I think it is just a 6 MM fitting, but will order the OEM one.
I also want to replace the roller bearings in the back of the support shaft while it is out. There doesn't seem to be a cir-clip to remove. Do those just pull out and you push the new roller bearing into place? Or is there another secret.
I won't be ignoring any more problems with grease fittings........
Thanks all. Rich
And Kykub, based on your comments, I will relook at how I reinstall to make sure the grease hole is lined up. I thought the bolts made it impossible for them to NOT line up, but now relooking at the parts diagram, I see it is possible to screw that up.
And I did finally find a part number for the grease fitting on the front axle/knuckle arm page, which isn't intuitive when looking for the grease nipple. It is a 45 deg one, Kubota 67111-44250. Personally, I think it is just a 6 MM fitting, but will order the OEM one.
I also want to replace the roller bearings in the back of the support shaft while it is out. There doesn't seem to be a cir-clip to remove. Do those just pull out and you push the new roller bearing into place? Or is there another secret.
I won't be ignoring any more problems with grease fittings........
Thanks all. Rich
During my quest to find thread size on grease fittings that might fit my L3400/loader, I end the night here with a tractor break down story. Does this front axle grease fitting break down story have a back together happy ending, yet? is there a movie about this fix up, or a couple snap shots, drawings, inquiring mines/minds like to no.............
Kubota3710
Bronze Member
Post 1 of 3 on this fix. There is a happy ending! I just got time to put it back together this morning. I learned several things that I will share that might help non-pros who fix their own stuff. First the issue was the front PTO bearings on my G1800 garden tractor had come apart. The hole on the PTO support was clogged, preventing grease from getting into the shaft area and out to the ends to the front bearing and rear roller bearing. I pulled both the PTO shaft and the front axle support, which is what the PTO shaft fits into. So here is a picture of those. I purchased a new front axle support (left item in the picture) because I wasn't sure how to get the stuck outer race of the bearing out. And there is a roller bearing inside on the the other end, which I could have probably forced out. And you can see the inner race of the bearing I cut off the PTO shaft laying next to the pto shaft. I re-used the old PTO shaft.
Kubota3710
Bronze Member
Post 2 of 3 on this fix.
My second concern was getting the correct length grease fitting because I thought if it was too long and up against the PTO shaft, that grease wouldn't go in. Since I had to special order the front axle support I also ordered the OEM Kubota grease fitting. Notice in the picture, that the shinny, new Kubota fitting has longer threads than the standard metric one I got off the shelf from the Kubota dealer. And notice the two washers in the plastic bag that came with the OEM fitting. The manual doesn't say if to use the washers or not, but I did. And since I had the PTO shaft out, I could ensure the grease fitting wasn't sticking out too far and hitting the shaft. From now on if I can't pull the old one out to ensure an off the shelf one is the same, I will order OEM. The previous owner had already replaced this grease fitting, so I wasn't sure.
Also in the pic are the new front bearing and rear rolling bearing for the PTO shaft. I also replaced oil seals not in the picture.
My second concern was getting the correct length grease fitting because I thought if it was too long and up against the PTO shaft, that grease wouldn't go in. Since I had to special order the front axle support I also ordered the OEM Kubota grease fitting. Notice in the picture, that the shinny, new Kubota fitting has longer threads than the standard metric one I got off the shelf from the Kubota dealer. And notice the two washers in the plastic bag that came with the OEM fitting. The manual doesn't say if to use the washers or not, but I did. And since I had the PTO shaft out, I could ensure the grease fitting wasn't sticking out too far and hitting the shaft. From now on if I can't pull the old one out to ensure an off the shelf one is the same, I will order OEM. The previous owner had already replaced this grease fitting, so I wasn't sure.
Also in the pic are the new front bearing and rear rolling bearing for the PTO shaft. I also replaced oil seals not in the picture.
Kubota3710
Bronze Member
Post 3 of this fix.
The biggest surprise was the way the grease flows to the bearings. In this picture you can see the grease hole in the front axle support. Grease goes into this hole and supplies the PTO shaft with grease. Push the grease though that hole and the grease fills the space in the middle of the PTO shaft and flows forward into the front bearing and aft to the roller bearing. THis is the hole that got filled up with crud and WHY NO GREASE was getting into the pto bearings.
But the surprise was that this hole does not line up with the grease fitting. it is 180 degrees out. Before you tell me I a nut, the bolt hole pattern is not symmetrical, and there is only one way to install it. SO the grease comes in on the opposite side, and flows around the big groove in the middle. It then goes through that hole into the PTO shaft. Alse grease must flow forward and aft in those grooves, but not sure why as that shaft doesn't rotate. Just the PTO shaft that is inside the front axle support.
So not believing it, I put the front axle support in the tractor and shot grease into it. Sure enough, even those the grease fitting is 180 out from this hole, grease comes though the hole to feed the PTO shaft. Still not believing it I wiped out the grease and did it again. Still the same, so.....
So since the hole 180 degrees from the grease fitting was plugged, and you can't see the hole, I'm not sure how I would have ever prevented this problem. You would have to take it apart to know it was happening.
Thanks for help on tackling this issue. The squeal is gone and the mower is spinning great again. Rich
The biggest surprise was the way the grease flows to the bearings. In this picture you can see the grease hole in the front axle support. Grease goes into this hole and supplies the PTO shaft with grease. Push the grease though that hole and the grease fills the space in the middle of the PTO shaft and flows forward into the front bearing and aft to the roller bearing. THis is the hole that got filled up with crud and WHY NO GREASE was getting into the pto bearings.
But the surprise was that this hole does not line up with the grease fitting. it is 180 degrees out. Before you tell me I a nut, the bolt hole pattern is not symmetrical, and there is only one way to install it. SO the grease comes in on the opposite side, and flows around the big groove in the middle. It then goes through that hole into the PTO shaft. Alse grease must flow forward and aft in those grooves, but not sure why as that shaft doesn't rotate. Just the PTO shaft that is inside the front axle support.
So not believing it, I put the front axle support in the tractor and shot grease into it. Sure enough, even those the grease fitting is 180 out from this hole, grease comes though the hole to feed the PTO shaft. Still not believing it I wiped out the grease and did it again. Still the same, so.....
So since the hole 180 degrees from the grease fitting was plugged, and you can't see the hole, I'm not sure how I would have ever prevented this problem. You would have to take it apart to know it was happening.
Thanks for help on tackling this issue. The squeal is gone and the mower is spinning great again. Rich
Kubota3710
Bronze Member
Here is a pic of the G1800 front PTO parts to help get a reference. I called out the pto shaft and front axle support.
Coyote machine
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Second that, completely. Hard to imagine one zerk can wreak so much damage when not doing it's job, but no grease on a close tolerance spinning shaft's a disaster waiting to happen.
Excellent description/pics as old path said. Thanks for sharing. Feels good to get it right, yes, after all that...
Kubota3710
Bronze Member
Thanks for the comments. It mowed great for an hour, and then the dynamo froze up. Found a great thread here and fixed that for about $14 of Kutoba bearings. Tractorbynet is a great resource. The G1800 mows so well now I'm even going to wax it today.......Rich
Coyote machine
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Wax? What's that?:confused3:
(My first post)
I've finally found out that there is a grease fitting there but it is too late. I'm pretty sure One (or both) of the bearings are toast, meaning I may have to replace them. Every time I turn the PTO shaft it squeals at a certain spot and is really hard to turn. I was wondering if you (Kubota3710 ) or anybody else knew how to replace the bearings. All I ask are some tips on doing it, for instance, do both the needle bearing and the ball bearing come out with the shaft, or do I have to tap them out separately? If so... how?
Thank You to anyone who attempts to help me or let alone read this post.
Thanks,
Jordan
I've finally found out that there is a grease fitting there but it is too late. I'm pretty sure One (or both) of the bearings are toast, meaning I may have to replace them. Every time I turn the PTO shaft it squeals at a certain spot and is really hard to turn. I was wondering if you (Kubota3710 ) or anybody else knew how to replace the bearings. All I ask are some tips on doing it, for instance, do both the needle bearing and the ball bearing come out with the shaft, or do I have to tap them out separately? If so... how?
Thank You to anyone who attempts to help me or let alone read this post.
Thanks,
Jordan
