Rotary Cutter Unidentified tail wheel needs a hub & axle

Tickrancher · Jun 12, 2011

My 1960 era rotary cutter needs a tail wheel hub and axle. I got the cutter as a throw in with a tractor. There are no markings to help identify the manufacturer. The bearings are shot to the point that there are no numbers. The tire is laminated and the wheel has 4 bolts, spaced 5 inches center to center. The yoke has 3/4 inch holes for the axle bolt. The local dealers wants to sell me the complete tail assembly including the yoke and tire for about $300. I do not want to spend that much on an old implement. I am just trying to get another year or two out of it.
It looks like the hub assembly from a Bush Hog SQ 48 might work. What do you guys think? I am open to all suggestions.

nikdfish · Jun 12, 2011

Is there an Agri-Supply near by? You might be able to find what's needed there, or a complete replacement assembly for a lot less than the quotes you got. They have a hub assembly w/a 5" 4 bolt pattern for $19.95 & includes bearings, bushing & bolts - it is set up for a 1" axle, though.

Nick

Tickrancher · Jun 12, 2011

No, I am in St. Louis, Missouri. I tried the local Bucheits and Orschlens and could not find anything that would help. I am not sure how strong the yoke would be after drilling it for a 1 inch axle.

Farmwithjunk · Jun 12, 2011

Agri Supply is VERY "mail order friendly". Give 'em a call.

Agri Supply - Farm Supplies, Tools, Lawn Mower Blades, Cast Iron Cookware

It would be easy to ream the 3/4" holes to work with a 1" axle I'd think.....

gkh7890 · Jun 12, 2011

Try DN Equipment Part - Agricultural Equipment Parts. Type in "tailwheel" in the search window. They have 2 complete tail wheel assemblies listed for $123 & $131. They can have parts for several different brands. They are in Mt. Orab, Ohio.

I bought a complete assembly for my Woods Brush Bull last year and it has worked w/out any problems! I didn't want to spend the $$ either but the hub bearings were shot and it was cheaper in the long run to get the whole assembly (for my situation).

Just bought a new tailwheel fork for my Father-in law's Brush Bull a month ago.

Good people and good prices!!! Good luck!!

LD1 · Jun 12, 2011

Tickrancher said:
My 1960 era rotary cutter needs a tail wheel hub and axle. I got the cutter as a throw in with a tractor. There are no markings to help identify the manufacturer. The bearings are shot to the point that there are no numbers. The tire is laminated and the wheel has 4 bolts, spaced 5 inches center to center. The yoke has 3/4 inch holes for the axle bolt. The local dealers wants to sell me the complete tail assembly including the yoke and tire for about $300. I do not want to spend that much on an old implement. I am just trying to get another year or two out of it.
It looks like the hub assembly from a Bush Hog SQ 48 might work. What do you guys think? I am open to all suggestions.

Do you need the hub? or just the bearings?

If you just need the bearings, measure the ID and OD and reference from there. It probabally takes a tapered roller in each side, but it could just have a ball bearing in each side.

If you need the hub, what is wrong with the old one??

And if you are concerned about makeing the 3/4" holes larger in the yoke, buy (or have made) some bushings that are 3/4" ID and 1" OD if you cant find the right part.

And also, if you could post a PIC or two of the rest of the bushhog, we may be able to help identify the cutter, and that may aide you in locating parts.

LarryD · Jun 12, 2011

I had a similar problem once and carried all the parts down to my local NAPA store. The counter guy got out his micrometer and after all the measurements we found one that all the same dimensions. He had a book 4" thick of nothing but bearings. Worked like a champ.

If you just bought your tractor, you'll need to get aquainted with the parts guys in town.:thumbsup:

Tickrancher · Jun 12, 2011

The hub is OK but the races are shot. I haven't found a auto parts guy as helpful as yours. They are willing to order races and bearing if they can get a number which of course I don't have. The axle is worn so I assume I would need the new axle first if I was to try ordering bearing by micrometer measurement. The cutter is at the farm but I will get complete photos later in the week.

LD1 · Jun 13, 2011

Tickrancher said:
The hub is OK but the races are shot. I haven't found a auto parts guy as helpful as yours. They are willing to order races and bearing if they can get a number which of course I don't have. The axle is worn so I assume I would need the new axle first if I was to try ordering bearing by micrometer measurement. The cutter is at the farm but I will get complete photos later in the week.

IF the races are still in the hub, then it probabally is indeed a tapered roller bearing. There are two halfs, the outer race (cone), and the bearing itself.

It appears that your axle is nothing more than a 3/4" bolt. So the ID measurment isnt as critical, just get a 3/4" ID bearing with a matching race that has an OD that fits the hub. Tapered bearings dont have to be a press fit. It is the pre-load (how tight you tighten the bolt/axle) that keeps the bearing from spinning on the shaft. And it the bolt/axle didnt have one, it really needs to have a lock nut and not just a standard nut. Because you dont want to torque it too tight.

So my suggestion is, drive out one of the outer races and measure it. You can then look online for tapered roller bearigns with a 3/4" ID and THAT OD and you should be set.

LarryD · Jun 13, 2011

Tickrancher said:
I haven't found a auto parts guy as helpful as yours.

Yea, there are cashiers and there are "Parts Guys". If there is a local car club THEY know where to shop. The NAPA store here is staffed with parts guys.

LD1 is right, thats a pretty easy problem. That wheel isn't spinning much at all so any tapered roller bearing with the right ID/OD would be my fix. Keep it greased and you'll never replace it.