Mf12 deck spindles adding zerk

[mike2]

I am rebuilding my deck spindles. Top bearing is typically sealed and bottom bearing is exposed needle rollers. There is no grease fitting. I read where somebody removed the bottom of the sealed bearing and drilled in a grease fitting in the spindle housing. I see this would work, but mf didn't design a fitting for some reason. Anybody recommend adding the grease fitting or keep it like factory?

Also, my current bearings turn but are tight because of built-up old grease. Should I reuse them after cleaning or just replace? I am thinking of replacing, but if I remove the bottoms and do the grease fitting, they may still be good because I don't have to worry about repacking a sealed bearing.
 

[504]

I drilled my Allis Chalmers (same thing) years ago. I drilled the housing between the bearings and pointed the zerks to the rear, it will take a lot of grease to fill the housings the first time.
 

[El Toro]

Install zerk fittings that have 1/4-28 threads
you need to use the correct tap drill No 3. Hal
PS: I installed these on my Troy Bilt tiller so it slides up and down on those pins. Makes it easier to engage the drive train and to disengage.
 

[G1355]

I have a Massey 10, same thing and put in all the bearings in the deck, mine has Greece zerks on the top and there should be a seal on the bottom to seal it, I went to the local Massey dealer and got the bearings,seals and blades and a the deck belt and it was only 124 dollars, just buy new don't reuse then you know you shouldn't have anymore problems, but there should be a seal in each on to seal it up if there's not you'll have to get it and I'd put the zerks in mine are in the hub casting and look factory
 

[G1355]

One other thing if you go on agcopartsbook.com then you can see every part in the tractor and deck and every part number, it shows they should have a zerk in the cast housing, but yours might be an early one, does it have headlights or do you know the year, mine is one of the later ones and maybe they changed mines a 1969
 

[Molyblock]

I put zerks on the mower deck spindles on both my 1976 MF10's years ago and now they last for ever.I grease them a couple times a year.
 

[mike2]

Great information guys. Thanks. Do I need to remove the bottom seal on the top sealed bearing so the grease will get into it?
 

[mike2]

I use that parts website all the time, it's great. Mine does not show factory grease fittings. My tractor does have headlights. I did know the year based on SN, but can't remember.
 

[G1355]

I don't know can't answer that, I just grease the zerks but if yours doesn't have them then I guess I don't know. Good luck though glad your fixing it like I did don't like seeing people scrap them when something little goes wrong but I know people do.