rotary cutter driveline grease

[majordan3535]

My RCR 1272 manual says I'm supposed to grease the telescoping part of the driveline every 20 hours. Several questions:
1. What if I don't get to it that often? I'm mowing fairly level ground.
2. What might I see or feel to tell me that it's about to be a problem?
3. Do I need to take the whole shaft off the gearbox?
4. Is there an "easy" way to get the plastic shields off the two driveline halves?

 

[dgtvrpepair]

I would grease it at least every 20 hours. That shaft extends and retracts more than you think on even flat ground. Don’t forget all the grease points on the shaft including the plastic covers that have a grease place that is plastic. Don’t miss the one on the shaft that extends and retracts, and of course the obvious ones at both ends with the pivots.

 

[Russell King]

You do not have to remove the implement end of the drive shaft. If you just pull the drives towards the front end it will come apart and fall on the ground so put down a piece of cardboard to keep it clean. You will need to remove the plastic shield on the male side to clean and grease it but probably not the female side.

There are a lot of ways the plastic shield is removed so you need to post a picture of the bell end to get some help on that.

 

[Caden]

I'd definitely grease it that often.
Not only does it move quite a bit, but if it sits a while during non-use, they love to seize up.
Major pita to reconnect when the telescope doesn't want to telescope.

As for the u joints, grease them every time you use it.

 

[SDT]

My RCR 1272 manual says I'm supposed to grease the telescoping part of the driveline every 20 hours. Several questions:
1. What if I don't get to it that often? I'm mowing fairly level ground.
2. What might I see or feel to tell me that it's about to be a problem?
3. Do I need to take the whole shaft off the gearbox?
4. Is there an "easy" way to get the plastic shields off the two driveline halves?

I grease all of mine yearly upon mower removal in the fall.