Bush Hog Leaks Oil

[Robert dobbs]

I have an old 5ft lift up Ford bush hog that
leaks oil pretty bad in the top where the drive
shaft enters. Was wondering if there is a seal
in that location and how hard is it to replace?

 

[showcrop]

There is certainly a seal there but I can't tell you how hard it is too replace. You would have to most likely dis-assemble the box to tap it out. The most usual fix is to use corn head grease which softens to heavy oil when used and hardens up as it cools so that it doesn't run out.

 

[souNdguy]

as has been said. it does have a seal, and difficulty depends on the box.. most shaft seals are not horrible. many can be pulled and tapped in from the outside if yuo can see the face of the seal backing and get a sheet metal screw into it to snatch it out.

that said. ensure you are not running too high a oil level, and that if it has a vent plug that it is not PLUGGED.

running too high an oil level and / with a plugged vent means oil will be puked out of a seal.

 

[Maxwell 99]

It a bit red neck but I am from ky so it's no problem for me.

Might try adding a tube or two of corn head grease to the gearbox, this is a super lubricant and will not flow out like gear oil.

Next, many old gear boxes have run for years just filled with regular grease.
options, if your shafts are worn bad you will be looking at some money to have a full repair.

 

[Anonymous-0]

ditto what soundguy said. most of my bushhogs have a fill plug up at the top. and a level test 1/4 pipe plug about half way down. you do not fill them very high. not even to the bottom of the seal on the input shaft. the 90 wt oil is moved by gear rotation. you can take a piece of wire and slide it down from the fill plug and pull it out to get a good idea of the oil level inside. as far as putting grease into the box, it is a recipe for failure. my dad burned up all the gears in a bushhog long ago on a doing this. the grease will sling away from the gears to the side of the housing, and you will run dry. if grease was the way to go , the manfacturer would have shipped it with grease, and all auto differentials would be full of grease...

 

[Maxwell 99]

True, what you guys say is the proper way to check oil levels and repair a good condition rotator cutter.

But, if you have an old cutter that needs shafts replaced or welded up and turned down. Then in short order you can have more in an old cutter than its worth. If corn head grease will stay in the gearbox it is one of the best gearbox lubes. It's viscosity is 1/2 way between gear lube and grease.

I just offered some options, not directives, that might keep it running for a few more ac.

 

[Texasmark1]

Ditto on the location of the "full" plug. For leaks in those critters, first I ensure that the "fill" plug is vented to keep the gearbox from building up pressure. Second, I use Lubriplate 105 (engine rebuild grease) rather than 90-140 gear oil on some with really bad seals. Works for me.

Problem with replacing gaskets for me is that everything is all rusted up and on the lower seal you need to lift the thing up with your FEL to get at the under side and all.

HTH,
Mark

 

[flyingace]

(quoted from post at 11:23:22 01/29/14) I have an old 5ft lift up Ford bush hog that
leaks oil pretty bad in the top where the drive
shaft enters. Was wondering if there is a seal
in that location and how hard is it to replace?

Depending on what model you have, it may require packing the gearbox with grease rather than using oil. I have a 909 from the 80s (I think), and the manual clearly states that.

Not knowing any better at first, I loaded the gearbox with 90 wt. It all ran out.