I just completed 50-hour service on the RC-54-G20 deck on my G1800. Last time, I totally rebuilt the deck with new bearings and all. However, I did NOT do a deep dive into the gearbox. Why? Because gearbox bearings seemed to be in great shape and, I could not get the drive pulley off the gearboxbox output shaft.
Now, my fears have been realized - the lower seal on the gearbox has been leaking. Gearbox was nearly empty of oil when I refilled it in March. It took most of a pint. All the leaked gear oil was balled up in grass clippings beneath the gearbox
For this season, I'll monitor the gearbox oil level more carefully, and keep it topped off. Next spring, I'll dive into it again. That'll be after another 20 hours of use.
Any tips on pulling that blade boss and center pulley off the gearbox output shaft? I'm leery of putting heat on cast iron to make it expand, because it gets quite soft at those temperatures. It's a simple problem, it's just that I can't get to the seal without removing those things from the shaft.
When I rebuilt the deck 2 years ago, I put new bearings in where I could, and I just used Chinesium. I was shocked at the amount of bearing noise emanating from those new bearings, even though they were thoroughly greased. A loud WHIRR that increases in pitch with RPM. Thought maybe they would quiet down with use and additional grease this spring, but nope, not completely. I guess I'll run them until they croak. [I do sharpen blades every 3 or 4 hours of use, so that gives me a chance to carefully check for any bearing sideplay. None yet.
I tried ordering new Timkens from a UK eBay seller, but what I got was SKF 6205/C3s made in Bulgaria. Hmmmm.
The "C3" means "More than normal clearance". HMMM. They're sitting on my shelf, I'll try them next.
I don't think you can find American-made 6205s anymore...
-Paul
Now, my fears have been realized - the lower seal on the gearbox has been leaking. Gearbox was nearly empty of oil when I refilled it in March. It took most of a pint. All the leaked gear oil was balled up in grass clippings beneath the gearbox
For this season, I'll monitor the gearbox oil level more carefully, and keep it topped off. Next spring, I'll dive into it again. That'll be after another 20 hours of use.
Any tips on pulling that blade boss and center pulley off the gearbox output shaft? I'm leery of putting heat on cast iron to make it expand, because it gets quite soft at those temperatures. It's a simple problem, it's just that I can't get to the seal without removing those things from the shaft.
When I rebuilt the deck 2 years ago, I put new bearings in where I could, and I just used Chinesium. I was shocked at the amount of bearing noise emanating from those new bearings, even though they were thoroughly greased. A loud WHIRR that increases in pitch with RPM. Thought maybe they would quiet down with use and additional grease this spring, but nope, not completely. I guess I'll run them until they croak. [I do sharpen blades every 3 or 4 hours of use, so that gives me a chance to carefully check for any bearing sideplay. None yet.
I tried ordering new Timkens from a UK eBay seller, but what I got was SKF 6205/C3s made in Bulgaria. Hmmmm.
The "C3" means "More than normal clearance". HMMM. They're sitting on my shelf, I'll try them next.
I don't think you can find American-made 6205s anymore...
-Paul
