Why am I greasing this?

[OverKnight]

I have a 33” Snapper Yard Cruiser, model HZS14330BVE. I just finished rebuilding the deck (painted, new spindle bearings and idler wheel). As per Snapper’s recommendations, I’ve always faithfully greased the spindle bearings annually. However, the spindle bearings I removed are sealed bearings, as are the new ones I installed. What is the point of filling the spindle housing with grease if the bearing are sealed? All of this grease isn’t lubricating anything.

Or am I missing something?

Thanks.

[Arkie]

Grease inside the spindle housing only is not greasing the sealed bearings at each end of the housing.

I take a small sharp screwdriver or knife blade and pop out the plastic seal about once every 2 years, when I have the deck off and sharpening the blades. I do not have to take risk of twisting off spindle mount bolts (steel bolts into aluminum housing) if I just leave the spindle attached to the deck and the bearing drive out of the spindle easily. I've considered leaving the inner seal out of the top and bottom bearing and pack the housing with grease as you do. I do pop out the seal on both sides of each bearing and clean the bearing before repacking. They last forever when cleaned and re-packed about every 2 years or so but I do replace the bearing if they feel or sound noisy. (the ball bearings will be pitted if not smooth after packing. (the bearings are dirt cheap on flea bay and usually in pairs)

[38racing]

Found same thing on friends mf. possibly it helps heat dissipation?

[KE4AVB]

Personally I don't see a need to grease the whole spindle cavity when you have sealed bearings. It just causes increase heat retention.

Sealed bearings do require re-greasing from time to time. Premium sealed bearings have more grease in them from the factory and closer clearances otherwise. When using after market bearings I usually replace the grease with moly and fill the bearing inter-space to about 2/3 fill as they only have about a 30% fill. On older sealed bearings I use a needle injector to add grease to them by working gently pass the seal lips when they are non metal types. The seals on one side can be removed on some bearing applications but you should be use the bearing with metal seals so when adding grease they are not push out easily.

[OverKnight]

Thanks for confirming my thoughts, everyone. I checked Snapper's site, but there wasn't anything in their Q&A about this, so submitted this question. I'll let you know their response.

[OverKnight]

FYI: No response from Snapper yet...

[Arkie]

FYI: No response from Snapper yet...

I suspect you have their answer, someone maybe has forwarded you question to someone as to WHY that one is in the manual and who initiated such and how to get it removed. (or your email has simply evaporated at snapper)

I seen somewhere awhile back that some of the spindle bearing only have the seal on one side (the outer) and the inside of the spindle was then packed with grease on some model mower decks.

[Buckshot 1]

FYI: No response from Snapper yet...

I suspect you have their answer, someone maybe has forwarded you question to someone as to WHY that one is in the manual and who initiated such and how to get it removed. (or your email has simply evaporated at snapper)

I seen somewhere awhile back that some of the spindle bearing only have the seal on one side (the outer) and the inside of the spindle was then packed with grease on some model mower decks.

I just rebuilt a Toro deck last week, sealed bearings outside only. So I suspect that Arkie is right on the Snapper deck.

[bgsengine]

Manufacturers (AND dealers) have also been known to add USELESS grease fittings to things like that to make it a selling point "Greaseable spindles" - even if the spindles were designed to use permanently sealed ball bearings.

[OverKnight]

Snapper replied this morning:

Thank you for e-mailing Snapper.
The purpose of the grease is for distribution of heat and to protect from moisture.

Thank you
Snapper Technical Service
800-935-2967

I guess this might make some sense, but if you follow their recommendation of two shots of grease annually, it'll take about twenty years to fill the spindle housing. Going forward, I think I won't lose any sleep if I forget to do this.

Thanks again, everyone.