Oiliver Superior Grain Drill

[cedar21]

I picked up an Oliver Superior Grain Drill, and am trying to see if I can use it for planting a field. I took the drain plugs out of gear boxes to see what the oil looked like, and if it had oil. It seems to have grease in it. A bit of water came out of one of the gear box drain holes. Wondering if someone here might know what sort of grease would be in the gear boxes. The gear boxes each have a filler plug, level check plug, and drain plug.

Thanks to anyone who might be able to help.

 

[ovrszd]

Nice machine!!!

Made during simple times to do simple work. Requires simple lubricants. I'd use 80w-90. Nothing fancy or expensive.

 

[cedar21]

It seems to be in decent condition. It was parked under cover when I got it. The gear boxes seem to have grease in them, so if I were to put 80W-90 in there, wouldn't that require cleaning the grease out first?

 

[ovrszd]

I'm sure they started with oil. Someone may have switched to grease because they leaked.

If you want grease, use Poly Urea grease. Don't use cheap gun grease.

I converted my brush cutter boxes to grease. Also my 20K GN trailer axle hubs.

Use the right grease and it's no problem.

 

[cedar21]

Since grease does not settle in like oil, and come out the filler hole, how does a person tell how much grease to use, or how much grease is already in the gearbox? I suppose I could take the top cover off of the gearbox, and use gasket maker caulk when putting it back on.

 

[ovrszd]

I pumped in more grease than I thought my cutter needed. During operation it liquifies and bleeds out the vent until it's where it needs to be.

In your case, the gearboxes are not going to generate any heat. I'd pump in all the grease I could. Might even check them and pump in more after some use.

 

[cedar21]

Since some water came out of one of the gearboxes when I removed the plug, I am wondering if I need to take the top cover off and clean it out before re-lubricating it, whether with grease or 80W 90 oil.

 

[ovrszd]

Might be a good idea.

Take some pics, we love pics.

 

[cedar21]

I removed the gearbox covers and found out that what I had thought was grease, was actually sludge with the consistency of grease. Any recommendations on what to use to remove sludge from a gearbox? I have diesel and gas on hand, though would that leave a residue? I am going to use 80W-90 in the gearboxes once they are cleaned out.

 

[ovrszd]

I'd use diesel and a good stiff parts cleaning brush.

Also, try to not worry about this much. Clean em up to remove deterioriated lubricant and fill em back up.

Nothing in these boxes is high speed. Any standard lubricant will provide all the protection they need.