My Winter use tractor (Simplicity Landlord 1690333 Serial #2856 (1978) Is getting a makeover this summer with as complete a restoration as time permits me. When taking off the front wheels to get at the spindle bushings, I found two of the axle bearings were basically fused to the axle with rust, and the bearings were like not even operable as bearings. I used heat and a lot of TLC to get them off, and have new bearings, races, bushings etc to put back in. I will re pack the bearings before installing them, but it surprised me that there was no zerks in the wheels (like Toro Does) to pack the axles from the middle out. Why couldn't I (or shouldn't I)drill some holes and tap them for zerks midway along the axle tubes to see that they get some lubrication without having to yank the wheels off completely?

 

Personally I take it that in the throw away society we live in manufactures just dont assume many consumers will actually keep products for extended periods of time and just forgo the type of maintenance features.

Drill and tap away!

 

Were there any grease fittings on the KingPins (the vertical spindles) ?

Adding them late is better than never adding them; grease is cheap !

 

It should be fun getting the right angle for drilling the holes, but I will give it a try!

 

Your concern about the "right" angle isn't lost on me. I have been concerned about having my Zerk fittings being blunt up against the axle or spindle, which have to move.

One technique that seems to have worked for me has been to buy grease fittings with an extra long threaded nipple. Then I drill and tap the holes at 45°. Then, I determine where the fitting is going to snug up to the device, and I will grind the end of the fitting down (also at about 45°) and mark them so I can tell from outside where that removed portion is located so that it can't interfere with the free movement of the axle or spindle . . . . but grease can make its way into the joint.

 

Thanks for the advice and reply, I think I have this handled, but I have another question. the old seals (one on each side located between a spacer and the bearings, were both pretty much gone. I ordered new seals, which have a hard rubber side, and a metal side. I cannot tell from the photo which side goes against the bearing, Logic indicates that the rubber side of the seal would go against the bearing, but want to check with you guys.

 

Are these seal similar to those shown in this link; (after looking at all of the pictures ?

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Bea...iABEgJDPvD_BwE

If so. I believe that what you're calling the metal side (with a spring holding the seal tight to the axle) will go inboard, and the flat hard rubber or metal surface will present itself to the outside so you can push it in without any bending.

 

The seals I am talking about don't look like the ones in the link. Picture a flat washer about 2.5" in diameter with a .75" diameter hole in the middle of it. Fastened to it on one side is another rubber flat washer about 2.75" outer diameter with a matching .75" hole in it. this seal is no more than 1/8 inch thick with both of them attached to each other. these seals slide over the axles and butts up against a spacer on each axle. the bearings, wheels , other locking rings then slide onto the axles and are locked in place with set screws to hold everything on the axles. I'm still thinking that the rubber side of this seal should go against the bearing rather than the aforementioned spacer.

 

Well then I can't picture the seal, or its purpose . . . . I had thought you'd be looking at a seal similar to that (Part #10) shown in the schematic for this Simplicity front end:

https://www.partstree.com/parts/simp...oup-7010-7016/

You would think that this design would include two (2) seals per wheel, as it includes two (2) identical Bearings; but there's only one portrayed (inboard). I haven't been able to get a large enough image of the Part #10 (Simplicity Part 2170168SM to ascertain how exactly it ought to be positioned . . . . or what it is sealing in (or out). Maybe substitute parts would have images that are more informative ?

I do see that this Simplicity's KingPin is served by a Zerk Grease fitting; but not the Axle.

 

You are correct, it does have a grease fitting on each upper spindle. And yes logic would indicate that there should be a seal for each bearing, but the diagram does not call for one on the outside bearing at all. I am going to go with putting the steel side of the seal against the spacer and the rubber toward the bearing. if the seal has to move, the steel will hold up better against the spacer than the rubber will. thanks for your reply!

 

When equipment is 40 years old, I sometimes question why they designed it the way they did; and I'm nor hesitant to re-engineer some components. If your original design Seals on just the inboard side appear to work and hold the grease on both Bearings, then great.

If you do install a Zerk Grease Fitting somewhere along those axles, you may want to consider another Seal; especially when you force grease under pressure into the Hub . . . . I guess until you see it appear at that Locking Collar.

It's too bad that the original 1978 Simplicity Designers are probably all moved on to greener pastures by now . . . . so we'll never know what they were thinking back then.