FRT, Wheel Bearings - sealed or unsealed ??

[Crow Horse 8]

My search for adding weight to the front of my B-80 got me thinking about replacing the front wheel bearings. I see that there are sealed and unsealed (one side) bearings available. Which one would be preferred and why?

My cart & trailer use the same size bearings which are sealed. They were cheaper than what I've seen so far at $2 ea. from Marathon Industries. So far, no issues yet. I can always use them in a pinch if one on the B-80 goes south

3/4" Marathon bearings

[Kelly 1,030]

I say sealed, and at that price, it's a no brainer, I think I'm going to order a few sets I've been paying $8 each around here.

[sorekiwi 761]

There has been a lot of argument over this one Crow...

My 2 cents is to put sealed ones in and forget them, they'll outlast us.

I hate grease on my wheels, and the sealed ones keep the dirt out.

[Operator 7]

There has been a lot of argument over this one Crow...

My 2 cents is to put sealed ones in and forget them, they'll outlast us.

I hate grease on my wheels, and the sealed ones keep the dirt out.

Something to think about, sealed - to keep dirt out sounds good but how does grease get in?

A mechanic buddy of mine buys sealed ones then pulls out the plastic seal so when you grease it the grease gets inside, the "dust" seal keeps out the dirt.

After he told me that bit of wisdom, it did make sense.

Randy

[sorekiwi 761]

Something to think about, sealed - to keep dirt out sounds good but how does grease get in?

I dont grease them at all. Put 'em in and forget them.

They come with whatever brand and quantity of grease that the bearing manufacturer decides is right, and are intended to "have no servicable parts inside"!! (Sorry Chuck, couldnt resist!!)

With the mileage we do with our tractors, and the speeds that the front wheels turn, I dont believe that a sealed bearing is ever going to need more grease.

[rmaynard 15,919]

There was a thread on this back in February. Here is the link:

http://www.wheelhorseforum.com/index.php?...656&hl=bearings

[Trouty56 567]

Thanks for starting this thread Crow Horse....I'll be getting a few sets myself.

[Save Old Iron 1,568]

With the mileage we do with our tractors, and the speeds that the front wheels turn, I dont believe that a sealed bearing is ever going to need more grease.

Exactly,

I hate grease on the hubs too !

One caution, I can't believe a $2 bearing is the exact equivalent of a $10 bearing but at that price, and given how easy it is to pop them into the hubs, who cares. The $2 special is probably not something you want to use if you are hooking a loader up to the tractor or any other heavy front end attachment.

I do know from past experiences - like 30 years ago - you can functionally destroy a bearing by using the wrong type of grease and also by putting TOO MUCH of the correct grease in the assembly.