Sealed Front Bearings

[richmondred01 2,237]

What are your thoughts on the sealed front wheel bearings?

Any links to a quality source? 
Thanks.

[kpinnc 12,065]

I don't like them. I know unsealed are messy, but at least you can give them a shot or three of grease and not worry about them failing.

 

I usually remove the inner seals on both and pack them upon installing. Then regular lube a couple times a year.

 

Sealed bearings might have been ok years back, but quality control nowadays is so bad that I don't trust what I can't see. 

[Racinbob 11,082]

7 hours ago, richmondred01 said:

What are your thoughts on the sealed front wheel bearings?

Any links to a quality source? 
Thanks.

 

I was skeptical and only used sealed in my non workers but, since they are so easy to replace I went ahead and tried them in my workers. I won't go back to greasable any more. It also seems to defy logic but it's been 6+years now with absolutely no issues and my workers are very heavily used. My thoughts are that they seal the crud out. I went a step further and tried them in the mower decks. Again, no issues at all. 

. 

Edited May 6, 2023 by Racinbob

[Racinbob 11,082]

Just now, Racinbob said:

 

I was skeptical and only used sealed in my non workers but, since they are so easy to replace I went ahead and tried them in my workers. I won't go back to greasable any more. It also seems to defy logic but it's been 6+years now with absolutely no issues and my workers are very heavily used. My thoughts are that they seal the crud out. I went a step further and tried them in the mower decks. Again, no issues at all. 

. 

 

[cschannuth 3,816]

I was also skeptical at first, but my sons have a mowing business on the side and have a large walk behind mower. They use a sulky to stand/ride on behind their biggest mower. They used to go through wheel bearing like candy every year until they tried a set of sealed bearings like I use for the front of my tractors. They are on their third season on the same set of sealed bearings, and have not had an issue since. They are both 6’5” and well over 250 pounds so those bearings take a beating, especially on the hilly surfaces that they mow. 

[clueless 3,002]

2 hours ago, Racinbob said:

 

Changed  mine out on the B80 8+ years ago, no issues yet. Just remember to remove the zerks and replace with bolts just in case you forget or the next owner tries to pump grease in them, that can blow the bearing seal out.

[Sailman 1,291]

Anybody have a NAPA part number for sealed front wheel bearings on C series tractors?

[Racinbob 11,082]

1 hour ago, clueless said:

Changed  mine out on the B80 8+ years ago, no issues yet. Just remember to remove the zerks and replace with bolts just in case you forget or the next owner tries to pump grease in them, that can blow the bearing seal out.

 

I never thunked of that. 

[Racinbob 11,082]

11 hours ago, richmondred01 said:

What are your thoughts on the sealed front wheel bearings?

Any links to a quality source? 
Thanks.

 

Get this type and not the stamped steel. 

 

 

[Lee1977 6,663]

56 minutes ago, Sailman said:

Anybody have a NAPA part number for sealed front wheel bearings on C series tractors?

I have bought two sets off ebay. Had one set in the 312-8 for 7 or 8 years. The other set in my 1989 520 has been in 4 years. They all still run quite but they have a little side ways play in them. I don't remember how tight I had them shimed when I installed them, but I thing they have loosen up some. Mine are machined steel also.

Edited May 6, 2023 by Lee1977

[sjoemie himself 3,068]

On 5/6/2023 at 4:46 AM, richmondred01 said:

quality source

 

As far as bearings go I always use either SKF, ***, Timken or INA.

SKF has a website where you can select the type of bearing you want which leads you to a page where you can choose the desired dimensions.

You then choose the one to your liking and write down the number (mostly four/five digits with two letters) and either search that number online OR, what I prefer, go to a good hardware or farm supply store and have them order the desired number bearing from SKF.

 

Edit.. the *** bit was meant to say F.A.G. (without the dots). I can see why that was 'blurred' but it's actually a real brand 

Edited May 7, 2023 by sjoemie himself
Added info