Lubricating Idler Pulleys

[dkirk]

You can extend the life of your idler pulleys by annually lubricating them with a large animal syringe filled with grease. The syringe can be purchased at most farm supply stores. Insert stylus under the seal lip and inject grease into the bearing. Doesn't take much, only a few cc's.

 

[lpalma]

Looks like Martian blood.

 

[snicklas]

Another option, which I have used, they make a needle for your grease gun, it has a 3 ish incl long needle, and grease zerk. Just be careful, because it is a needle…. and is sharp….

 

[1811Cub]

Great idea!

 

[Robert Shingle]

Scott, I also have one of those needles for a grease gun, works very well.

 

[eleedom]

I just squirt some WD-40 each time I mow. That is about an hour for me. Some will say it’s too light, but frequent application is the key. Just wipe any excess off the bottom of the pulleys before starting the mower.

 

[Curt Doles]

Great idea, for lack of a syringe you can just push some grease in with a small brush or tongue depressor.

 

[eweiss]

Another option, which I have used, they make a needle for your grease gun, it has a 3 ish incl long needle, and grease zerk. Just be careful, because it is a needle…. and is sharp….

Where o you get it? My gun needle is heavy enough to only push the ball in on a zerk

 

[eweiss]

Bad finger placement I ment do you get it

 

[mgonitzke]

Google "grease injector needle"...hundreds of options.

 

[snicklas]

Where o you get it? My gun needle is heavy enough to only push the ball in on a zerk

I think I got mine at a farm store (TSC, Orschlein, Rural King)... it's not a tiny needle.... but has worked everywhere I have tried to use it

The one that I have is something like this:

 

[Curt Doles]

That's awesome, I'll be picking up one of those...
Curt

 

[dsarow]

Would it be advantageous to use synethic grease or no?

 

[PACub100]

Any grease is better than no grease...or oil as my philosophy goes

 

[dfrisk]

I've used Mobil 1 synthetic grease with good success, a heavy bodied red grease. I normally keep a couple spare idler pulleys on hand. I had an idler pulley fall off once. No mowing after dark so I missed the shower of sparks from the bearing running on Outer race to inner race after the balls flew out. Then the outer race wore half way through the bolt holding the bearing in place. I laughed all the way through that repair.
Injecting a little grease would really help those bearings live longer.

 

[jbratton]

Look what just happened to me:

Where can I find the parts I need?

 

[jkoenig]

Start with the usual suspects at the top of the page, our sponsors. Cub Cadet Specialties for new items, R.F. Houtz for used items, Xtreme Motorworks for hitch, and implement items, Kirk Engines for optimizing items, and Cadet Connection for stories and photos.

 

[jbratton]

Looking for a pulley part number and bolt sleeve part. I’ll do my research.

 

[mgonitzke]

You can use the parts lookup to find the part number.

 

[jbratton]

Got my parts ordered.

Hurry up and send my stuff Charlie, spring is coming…..lol!!