Re: mower deck motors, bearings, was: Re: (ET) Weeder / Cultivator

["Don Cohen" <bond007d netsync net>]

For what it is worth, I just ordered some new cultivator parts from Bill 
and
had a chat with him about bearings and gear box lube. He says that there 
are
no bearings in the cultivator - they are bushings. He also says that they
should last a long time before becoming a problem. As to the gear box lube,
he says there is no specification for the type of lube. Bill says that many
try to use the same type of gear oil that is in the transmission, but the
gear box was not designed for that type of lube. When I asked him what type
of lube to use, he recommended Lubriplate - a white soft grease, similar to
many medical creams in consistency. I actually knew what it was because I
have some (use it in my electronics business). It is just thick enough to
stick to things, but soft enough to move around an relube parts as needed.
Incidentally, I had to order a new field and armature because mine burned 
up
after about 15 minutes use last week. I think a rock got stuck in the tines
(had happened several times) and since my switch was sticky, power was not
immediately shut off when I let go of the trigger. This must have caused
wires to over heat and start melting (which they did). Motor still actually
works, but starts heating up very quickly (must have a shorted winding?).
This time I am going to put in a circuit breaker because there is none in
the cultivator. It uses the 50A ET breaker - way too large. I guess I will
start with fuses to find the right size and then get a DC breaker. 10A
should be a good starting point. Actually, I guess I should get a dual
device that is both thermal and current activated - kind of like the 
breaker
on the mower motors. Anyone have any thoughts or ideas here?

Don Cohen

----- Original Message -----
From: MR23 (Christopher M. Meier, Mpls, MN) <mr23 mn rr com>
To: Pestka, Dennis J <Dennis Pestka mkg com>; 'Elec-Trak Email Discussion
List' <elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu>
Sent: Thursday, June 14, 2001 1:31 AM
Subject: mower deck motors, bearings, was: Re: (ET) Weeder / Cultivator


> I spoke with Bill Gunn last week, during our conversation (about mower
> deck motors) he mentioned that the units are designed to have their
> bearings replaced every 10 years.  This 'mentality' may explain why
> the cultivator bearings may not be able to be externally lubed.
>
> Has anyone also had bent mower deck motor shafts?  Have you
> lived with them, or had the motor units rebuilt or replaced?  Since
> my last discussion with Bill about bearings, I've checked my motors
> and found they all 3 have bent shafts.  I need to get on the horn to
> him again, and find out how much he wants for rebuilt motors, and
> decide if I'm just going to re-bearing the one motor that has a stiff
> and noisy bearing, or if I'll trade one or all 3 in for rebuilt units...
>
> -Chris
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Pestka, Dennis J" <Dennis Pestka mkg com>
> To: "'Elec-Trak Email Discussion List'" <elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu>
> Sent: Wednesday, June 13, 2001 12:52 PM
> Subject: (ET) Weeder / Cultivator
>
>
> > Looking for some advice on the Weeder / Cultivator attachment.
> > My runs but it seems fairly slow.
> > Talked with a electric motor shop and he was surprised it didn't have a
> > place to oil the top sleeve bearing.
> > He also suggested checking the gear box for dried up oil/grease.
> >
> > Does anyone have any experience fooling with these.
> > Is there a maintenance manual available ? maybe Bill Gunn.
> > Does anyone know what type of oil/gear lube that goes in the gear case.
> >
> > Any help would be appreciated.
> > Dennis
>