Zerk Fittings On Kubota Snow Blower Auger - What Do They Grease ?

[TheKubotaKing]

Hi all,
On the Kubota BX2822 snow blower attachment there are 2 Zerk fittings, one one the left and one on the right.
They are located on the main shaft of the auger. Each Zerk fitting is midway in on from the end on that shaft, so I'm wondering where does that grease go ? There are no moving parts for a good 18" or so on each side of each of those fittings. Is the entire shaft of the auger filled with grease ?

 

[Rcflyer330]

They grease the shaft to prevent the auger from seazing to the inner shaft. The outer auger is only attached to the inner by the shear bolts. Sheer bolts are ment to break if you hit something to prevent damage to the blower.

 

[TheKubotaKing]

They grease the shaft to prevent the auger from seazing to the inner shaft. The outer auger is only attached to the inner by the shear bolts. Sheer bolts are ment to break if you hit something to prevent damage to the blower.

Hi Rcflyer330 ! Wow that was a fast reply ! Thank you !
I never noticed that, so thanks !

I wonder how much grease that area between the 2 shafts use ? I guess if empty, it could maybe use
up a full cartridge of Kubota grease. I now see this is a must to keep this thing greased up ! as I bet there is grease from those areas leaving by the very edges ( at the outer ends ) if I'm correct. Thanks very much for your help ! that was really well explained !

 

[Rcflyer330]

Your manual will say to grease it once a year. On my blower I grease it until I see new grease comming out the ends. By doing it this way it will remove any trapped water further preventing rust. I also wait until after I clean the blower in the spring before storage to grease both sides.

It only holds a couple ounces at most between the two shafts It wont take anywhere near a full tube of grease. In reality the grease does nothing but prevent rust until a shear pin breaks then it does provide some lubrication between the inner spinning shaft and outer auger.

Take a look at your owners manual its all in there.

 

[RCW]

Not certain, but I think greasing is every 10 hours......

I grease mine a couple times a season, depending on use.

Did mine for the 3rd time this winter today...

 

[TheKubotaKing]

Your manual will say to grease it once a year. On my blower I grease it until I see new grease comming out the ends. By doing it this way it will remove any trapped water further preventing rust. I also wait until after I clean the blower in the spring before storage to grease both sides.

It only holds a couple ounces at most between the two shafts It wont take anywhere near a full tube of grease. In reality the grease does nothing but prevent rust until a shear pin breaks then it does provide some lubrication between the inner spinning shaft and outer auger.

Take a look at your owners manual its all in there.

Thanks very much for the extra info ! I Much appreciated !!

 

[TheKubotaKing]

Not certain, but I think greasing is every 10 hours......

I grease mine a couple times a season, depending on use.

Did mine for the 3rd time this winter today...

Hi RCW,
Thanks for piping in too. I enjoy seeing what everyone thinks. I hear ya, I guess in reality you just can't over grease some things on the tractor and attachments. Well now I have the info I need. I'm glad I asked. Thank you to you both. !

 

[Toyboy]

When I grease mine I use the Marine wheel bearing grease.

 

[BobInSD]

That shaft looks square in the pictures? Is that just the lighting, or is it round on the ends where the shear bolts are?

 

[Crash277]

My recommendation on shafts like that is to remove your sheer bolts/pin add some grease then spin them, and add grease until is comes out the ends. The put your sheer bolt/pin back in. Used to do that at least 1-2x a year or whenever I broke a sheer bolt/ pin. If a machine is purchased used, I find the recommended bolts for it and swap them out. Just in case the previous owner used something too hard. My new blower doesnt have those so no more worry about that. I just have 1 at the pto shaft and 1 at the chain drive.

 

[Rcflyer330]

For my B2782b manual says 24 hrs or once a year that where I got my number from.

I some times will re grease after breaking a sheer bolt depending on how long it takes to notice it.

Crash277
Great idea removing the sheer bolt and spinning while greasing I am going to try that next time.

 

[rabbott]

Has anyone pulled a fitting out? The are a 3/16 push fitting. I have some on order and I'm hoping to be able to "Push". in a new one. I'm afraid the hole will be too big!

 

[PNWBXer]

Not to beat a dead horse........

But the main reason for grease in those zerks is to prevent water from finding it's way between the outer auger and inner shaft which is only attached by a shear bolt. Because of the "wet" snow blowing environment....water will find its way into those areas (voids)....and if not properly greased... it will rust out your shaft and auger from the inside. Worse...if enough rust forms it could prevent the shear bolt from doing its job and cause your worm gear (which spins the shaft) to get damaged.
Pushing new grease in there will prevent water from being able to do much rust damage. As someone else mentioned....apply Grease with the shear bolts off so you can rotate the auger around the shaft to make sure grease gets everywhere it needs to be. With my shear bolts out my auger has a little bit of left right play....so that is normal as well on some models (BX2816 in my case).

As a side note...the first time I greased my snowblower....it took a ton of pumps of grease and it was pretty hard to pump. After it is greased the first time.... it's easier to re grease it.

 

[DustyRusty]

Hi Rcflyer330 ! Wow that was a fast reply ! Thank you !
I never noticed that, so thanks !

I wonder how much grease that area between the 2 shafts use ? I guess if empty, it could maybe use
up a full cartridge of Kubota grease. I now see this is a must to keep this thing greased up ! as I bet there is grease from those areas leaving by the very edges ( at the outer ends ) if I'm correct. Thanks very much for your help ! that was really well explained !

They usually have grease from the factory, and it will take possibly 3 or 4 pumps of grease for both sides. Just stop when you see it coming out of one end or the other. Usually, once a year is all that they need. If you ever have to take the impeller off, install a grease fitting in that shaft also. I don't know why the manufacturer doesn't do this originally.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

seems nobody ever greased the rototillers I've bought over the decades....
having the tines 'rustweld' to the shafts is NOT fun.
same happens to rears on riders,
wheels on walkbehind blowers...

ahh the joys of buying someone else's busted stuff....

 

[Mowbizz]

I picked my new BX5455HD snowblower up in September and after looking it all over, found all zerks had been greased. Per my manual, about a month into winter/storms, I greased the auger shaft.
I will go over all zerks before putting the blower away for the season. I will also sandblast and paint all areas that lost paint over the winter (mainly the fan shroud lost all its paint and a few auger tines lost some at the edges) At $5200+ this implement is worth maintaining. I may even sell this with my BX25D if I upgrade to a B series (if it can’t be used with a newer, bigger tractor) Used BX25D Price’s are insanely high at this time.

 

[Crash277]

seems nobody ever greased the rototillers I've bought over the decades....
having the tines 'rustweld' to the shafts is NOT fun.
same happens to rears on riders,
wheels on walkbehind blowers...

ahh the joys of buying someone else's busted stuff....

i got my one for my BX brand new. advantage is, i know its not going to rust weld up!!