So I have a Z655 with a 54HC deck. A week ago I was mowing and white smoke started billowing out up the top of the deck. The idler pulley right behind the center spindle went bad and I had smoldering grass from the heat. I bought a new pulley and installed it. While I had the deck detached from the tractor, I spun the other pulleys by hand and found all 3 spindles noisy and dry sounding. I have followed the recommendations in the manual with 2 pumps of grease every 10 hours. I pulled one of the spindles and found the lower bearing all rusty. The top on was well greased and fine. Once I saw that, I removed the other two spindles and found the same thing. Seems my dealer didn’t load them with grease prior to delivery (5 years ago, 200 hours). After I rebuilt them I pumped like 40 pumps until I saw grease coming out the bottom. So now, a maintenance of 2 squirts every 10 hours will actually accomplish something. Am I correct in that the spindles should be fully loaded? The only downside I’m experiencing is that when cold, it takes a lot more “oomph” for the clutch to get the blades spinning. The motor bogs down until the blades get up to speed. Once I have been mowing a while, the blades start right up like normal because the grease is warm and thinner. What are all your takes on this??
Z655
- Thread starter feetr2c
- Start date
- Views: 741
Richard001
Veteran Member
Interesting, were the bearings sealed?
Richard
Richard
Roadworthy
Elite Member
Grease comes in different viscosities as does oil. If you're using the recommended grease you'll probably just have to let the spindles warm prior to mowing.
beenthere
Super Star Member
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Waayy too much grease.. IMO
I知 using the JD SD Polyurea grease that Deere recommends.
Their maintenance schedule calls for two pumps of grease every 10 hours. If the spindle isn稚 fully loaded, then those two pumps won稚 push any moisture or contaminants out the bottom. I equate it to anything else; pump grease in one end until it痴 oozing out the other.