Greaseable idler pulleys

[John_DeereGreen]

Guys, I'm getting sick of replacing the non greasable idlers on my mowers...there's no rhyme or reason to how long they last. Sometimes 250 hours, sometimes 5 hours. The bearings are just junk.

Anyone have a source for ones that can be greased?

[agrostis]

Any sealed bearing in a high revolution application fail's 95% of the time. Junk is a good word for them. Good luck finding a bearing you can grease.

[dutch1]

I've pulled the plastic bearing shield on a couple of new idlers and found them to be, at least in my view, inadequately lubed. Have noticed the same thing on new spindle bearings that are shielded on both sides.

Like agro said, you won't have much luck finding pressed steel idlers that are greasable.

[piston slapper]

Your best solution would be to get a spraycan of lithium grease ...and spray it on the grease shields once or twice a month...they get warm enough to melt the grease into the bearings right past the seals...
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[BigFish]

They make a spray grease that goes on as a liquid, and solidifies into grease.
I think I got a can out in the garage. I know the stuff I have/had was industrial red "Hi-Temp Spray Grease". Pretty good stuff. I'm sure you can google it.
PJ-1 makes a very good spray motorcycle chain lube that goes on liquid an sets up very tacky. I've used that stuff for years, though not for bearings. But hey, wattaya got to lose? They also make needle grease adapters.
You could get a machine shop to turn some outta billet steel, made to take a much larger sealed brng. 'Course you would also have to make up the mounting spud to account for the larger brng. ID.

[fixer67]

Get a grease needle for youir grease gun. be careful with them now or you may end up getting greased

[JimQ]

During my time at Husqvarna, I found that Don Dye made a superior product. At the time, they used quality NTN bearings as opposed to China's finest. Invariably, they would last several times longer than anything else we tested. They also seemed to retain the bearing better others. I'm not sure if they will sell direct but it may be worth a try.

http://www.dondyeco.com/index.htm

Q

[herler]

It is aggravating, I also agree that certain parts can last forever or five minutes too...
I've cussed that very idler thing more than once, the belt that goes around it too.

There is a trick to tightening that belt just right, too tight causes pulley bearing wear as well as the belt might not last as long, we all know what happens when it's too loose...
But when the belt is on just right that does seem to help, key words: seem to.

Good luck