SC 252 bearings keep going out

[priest]

The bearings on my 252 went out at 126 hours, were replaced by the dealer, and just went out again at 276 hours, 3.5 months later. We grease the machine every 5 hours until grease comes out of the sides of the bearings with Mystik high-temp red grease. It is back at the dealer right now.

The instructions for the machine say to grease it 2 pumps every five hours, but I have always been told to grease until you can see it purge on the sides. Could we be greasing too much and damaging the seals, or is something else going on?

Any experience with this machine and suggestions are appreciated-thanks.

 

[howel07264]

The bearings on my 252 went out at 126 hours, were replaced by the dealer, and just went out again at 276 hours, 3.5 months later. We grease the machine every 5 hours until grease comes out of the sides of the bearings with Mystik high-temp red grease. It is back at the dealer right now.

The instructions for the machine say to grease it 2 pumps every five hours, but I have always been told to grease until you can see it purge on the sides. Could we be greasing too much and damaging the seals, or is something else going on?

Any experience with this machine and suggestions are appreciated-thanks.

Try greasing every 2 hours runtime.If bearings are self purging pillow blocks grease till grease comes out the sides, usually around 10 pumps or 2/3rd of an ounce. I usually get around 500 hours on my carlton before the bearings are gone. 2 pumps every 5 hours is not enough.

 

[arbor pro]

I have a 2004 252 with 300 hours on it. I grease until it comes out the sides - at least every 5 hours, sometimes more often. No bearing problems yet, no engine problems.

I'm wondering, do you have your autosweep feature disabled? There have been a number of threads on this site about bearing failure on this and similar others machines but, most of the machines being discussed have had the autosweep feature disabled so the machine is working harder than the manufacturer probably intended thus, the parts don't hold up as designed...

 

[stumper63]

Got 2820 hours on mine now, been averaging 500 hours per set, usually the cutter wheel go first, and the jackshaft last quite a bit longer.

Anyway, which bearings are you talking about? Cutter wheel or jackshaft or both?

I grease mine at end of each day, like you do, until they just start to purge. My experience has been it takes about 8 pumps on each cutter wheel bearing, and only 2 on the jackshaft. The jackshaft bearings don't sling it out near as bad as the cutter wheel.

I'm not sure it's a grease problem, could easily be a belt-tightening issue, or should I say over-tightening. If you follow the directions from Vermeer on tightening the cutter wheel belt I feel it is a bit too tight. I back off the tension just a little from what they recommend, so that when you spin the wheel by hand you feel some resistance, yet it still spins a few times before stopping.

I installed a Sandvik wheel last summer, got just over 600 hours on the new cutter wheel bearings I put on when I put on the wheel, still going strong. It's my longest-lasting set yet, not sure if it's due to the new wheel, or just coincidence.

Could also be operating methods. Do you stall the machine alot? Take too big of bites and bounce the wheel, jerking the machine? This puts tons of stress on the bearings. I'd say I average stalling the machine once a week with daily use, usually not bouncing, just down in the dirt.

So keep the belts a little looser, you'll know when they're too loose, they'll squeal. Stop immediately and adjust the tension just a 1/4 to 1/2 turn, that's all it takes to correct. I adjust the belt tension about every 50 hours, so it's not a big deal, takes about 6 minutes in th frield. Then I check tension every 100 hours when I change oil/filter, really not much of an issue.

Hope this helps a little.

Stumper63

 

[howel07264]

Got 2820 hours on mine now, been averaging 500 hours per set, usually the cutter wheel go first, and the jackshaft last quite a bit longer.

Anyway, which bearings are you talking about? Cutter wheel or jackshaft or both?

I grease mine at end of each day, like you do, until they just start to purge. My experience has been it takes about 8 pumps on each cutter wheel bearing, and only 2 on the jackshaft. The jackshaft bearings don't sling it out near as bad as the cutter wheel.

I'm not sure it's a grease problem, could easily be a belt-tightening issue, or should I say over-tightening. If you follow the directions from Vermeer on tightening the cutter wheel belt I feel it is a bit too tight. I back off the tension just a little from what they recommend, so that when you spin the wheel by hand you feel some resistance, yet it still spins a few times before stopping.

I installed a Sandvik wheel last summer, got just over 600 hours on the new cutter wheel bearings I put on when I put on the wheel, still going strong. It's my longest-lasting set yet, not sure if it's due to the new wheel, or just coincidence.

Could also be operating methods. Do you stall the machine alot? Take too big of bites and bounce the wheel, jerking the machine? This puts tons of stress on the bearings. I'd say I average stalling the machine once a week with daily use, usually not bouncing, just down in the dirt.

So keep the belts a little looser, you'll know when they're too loose, they'll squeal. Stop immediately and adjust the tension just a 1/4 to 1/2 turn, that's all it takes to correct. I adjust the belt tension about every 50 hours, so it's not a big deal, takes about 6 minutes in th frield. Then I check tension every 100 hours when I change oil/filter, really not much of an issue.

Hope this helps a little.

Stumper63

All good advice. The sandvik wheel is a much less stressful on the bearings than conventional teeth. better balanced, less resistance.

 

[gr8scott72]

Try greasing every 2 hours runtime.If bearings are self purging pillow blocks grease till grease comes out the sides, usually around 10 pumps or 2/3rd of an ounce. I usually get around 500 hours on my carlton before the bearings are gone. 2 pumps every 5 hours is not enough.

It can take as many as 40 pumps per fitting on my 7015 to get the grease to start oozing out the sides. I know all grease guns are different per pump but I can go thru a tube of Lucas Red 'N Tacky in about 2 greasings.

That reminds me, I need to go buy some more.

 

[Dadatwins]

Is the wheel and shaft balanced and true? A bent wheel or shaft will destroy the bearings quickly. Are teeth aligned correctly and balanced? Teeth have to be mirrored on both sides to keep the wheel balanced. Over greasing can be just as bad as under. It depends on the bearings, some have internal seals that if you force them to purge you break the seal. I know the Carlton uses tapered roller bearings and they are meant to be purged these are the best in my opinion. My Rayco uses a ball bearing type that stinks for the application, they have internal seals that once worn will allow the grease to purge out. Not sure what the Vermeer uses.

 

[Oly's Stump]

Hey you guys using the purged bearings on the Carltons, I purchased a Lincoln battery powered operated grease gun. Man is that nice for purging those bearings. Takes no time. Gun was about $80.00 but worth it. I use it for all the fittings.

 

[gr8scott72]

Hey you guys using the purged bearings on the Carltons, I purchased a Lincoln battery powered operated grease gun. Man is that nice for purging those bearings. Takes no time. Gun was about $80.00 but worth it. I use it for all the fittings.

Where did you find one for $80? I've been looking around and they all seem to be in the $130 range. (12v, one battery)

 

[Oly's Stump]

I believe it was Northern Equipment. Let me check and I will get back.

 

[Oly's Stump]

I have the 14.4 volt model 1442 and I bought it from Northern Equipment. I just checked their website and they sell for 199.99. I know I didn't pay that and I have had mine now about 3 months. I might be wrong on the $80.00 but for some reason that pops up in my mind. I would have to check my receipts. In my opinion its still worth it.

 

[juststumps]

The bearings on my 252 went out at 126 hours, were replaced by the dealer, and just went out again at 276 hours, 3.5 months later. We grease the machine every 5 hours until grease comes out of the sides of the bearings with Mystik high-temp red grease. It is back at the dealer right now.

The instructions for the machine say to grease it 2 pumps every five hours, but I have always been told to grease until you can see it purge on the sides. Could we be greasing too much and damaging the seals, or is something else going on?

Any experience with this machine and suggestions are appreciated-thanks.

lot of good information here ....

The instructions for the machine say to grease it 2 pumps every five hours, but I have always been told to grease until you can see it purge on the sides. Could we be greasing too much and damaging the seals, or is something else going on?

BUT, DID ANYONE PICK UP ON THE RECOMENDED GREASING ,, FROM THE MANUFACTUER ????

maybe,, not positive,, but pretty sure ,, if you followed the 2 pump thing,, you might not be having the problems you're having .. they built the thing !!! i think that they would know....

sounds like your blowing the sides out of the bearing ,, with all that grease....but this is just my honest opinion !!!

 

[howel07264]

lot of good information here ....

The instructions for the machine say to grease it 2 pumps every five hours, but I have always been told to grease until you can see it purge on the sides. Could we be greasing too much and damaging the seals, or is something else going on?

BUT, DID ANYONE PICK UP ON THE RECOMENDED GREASING ,, FROM THE MANUFACTUER ????

maybe,, not positive,, but pretty sure ,, if you followed the 2 pump thing,, you might not be having the problems you're having .. they built the thing !!! i think that they would know....

sounds like your blowing the sides out of the bearing ,, with all that grease....but this is just my honest opinion !!!

You can't blow the sides out of a self purging bearing. Only sealed bearings.

 

[Bigstumps]

There are bearings that use a rubber seal that should be purged very lightly. The Vermeer bearings look very similar to the Rayco bearings - ball type with ??? type seal. The bearings on my Carlton are tapered rollers - a much better bearing. Maybe you could fit these on your Vermeer??

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