Cornhead grease in gear box

super99 · Jun 26, 2022

I have a 5 Bush Hog cutter that I use on the Oliver 1550 and the gear box leaks bad. I dont use it much and Im thinking about filling it with cornhead grease. How many tubes do I need and when do you know it has enough in it? I havent found a oil level plug for checking it .Thanks,Chris

coonie minnie · Jun 26, 2022

Fill it to the level of the plug on the side.

Bob Bancroft · Jun 26, 2022

It looks to me like the fill plug is near the level of the top shaft, which would work as well for the grease level. I tired of having a grease gun tied up with 'corn head grease'. An internet search easily found where I could get a quart bottle of it.

JoeM(GA) · Jun 26, 2022

JMO but cornhead will settle when things get heated up in the gearbox, so it will go to the bottom, you need to fill at least to the top of the highest bearing in the case. you will have to run it a bit to see where you're truly at

jimtrs · Jun 26, 2022

(quoted from post at 19:28:06 06/26/22) I have a 5 Bush Hog cutter that I use on the Oliver 1550 and the gear box leaks bad. I dont use it much and Im thinking about filling it with cornhead grease. How many tubes do I need and when do you know it has enough in it? I havent found a oil level plug for checking it

Typically [b:0b7b995fa5][i:0b7b995fa5][u:0b7b995fa5]oil[/u:0b7b995fa5][/i:0b7b995fa5][/b:0b7b995fa5] level would be up to about midpoint of the shaft. This is usually about half way up. On your box, this would be up to the fill plug.

Note that is for [b:0b7b995fa5][i:0b7b995fa5][u:0b7b995fa5]oil[/u:0b7b995fa5][/i:0b7b995fa5][/b:0b7b995fa5]. Using grease, pump in as much as you can. Try to fill the box completely. Know that grease, even corn head grease will not lubricate as good as oil. In a higher speed and torque application like your mower gearbox, for longevity, you'd be better off fixing the seal and using a gear oil.

Bob Bancroft · Jun 26, 2022

Yes. I have corn head, or '00' grease in two mower gear boxes. With running, and heat, the 'grease' liquifies enough to act like oil.

zuhnc · Jun 26, 2022

I have a Bush Hog (tm) 502 I run with the 8N. Three years ago I replaced most of the steel decking, and while it was apart, serviced the gearbox. Installed a Speedi-Sleeve on the output shaft and installed new double seals (book calls for two). Also replaced the input shaft seal. No Speedi-Sleeve needed here. Adjusted gear lash per the instructions.
Installed Bush Hog (tm) recommended weight full synthetic lubricant. Have had NO leaks in over 100 hours of running, and even after a full day of mowing the pastures (at lease 8 hours), the gearbox doesn't get over 100*F.
I used to check the oil level every few hours of mowing, but I have since stopped doing it. Level is always at the same point, and doesn't leak. zuhnc

504 · Jun 26, 2022

Mine leaks too,I just add oil everyday.

shaun wallace · Jun 26, 2022

I have a shredder with cornhead grease in it. Bearings are a little rough and does have new seals. That grease melts with very few turns of shafts. Have in PHD along with lithium grease and 00 grease.

Traditional Farmer · Jun 26, 2022

I have JD cornhead grease in two NH rake gearboxes,put it in all my tractors that have mechanical steering boxes never had a problem.Put in as much grease as I can get,sure beats oil running out and the gearboxes running dry.

Traditional Farmer · Jun 26, 2022

Lay a tube out in the Sun for awhile then slip the cap off the tube you'll see its really a thick liquid when warm.

super99 · Jun 26, 2022

I bought it used 3 or 4 years ago, it gets 2 or 3 hours/year. I don't use it enough to be
worth putting much money into, just want to keep it lubed up for the little that I use it.

flying belgian · Jun 26, 2022

That's the level plug you're looking at on the back of the box. Typically you would add gear oil till it runs out that plug.

Steve@Advance · Jun 26, 2022

I would take the plug out, stick the gun hose down inside and pump until it is full. Get as much air out as you can, then run it a few minutes and check it again, it may settle when it melts.

Looks like it will hold 2-3 tubes. have you tried to buy it anywhere? No place stocks it around here that I have found, have to order it online.

DoubleR · Jun 26, 2022

That plug on the back looks to be your filler and your fill to plug. I would put a tube of grease in it and fill the rest with gear oil and add more grease or oil as needed after using it some. Make sure the vent is not plugged up to.

rusty6 · Jun 27, 2022

(quoted from post at 19:44:05 06/26/22)

Looks like it will hold 2-3 tubes. have you tried to buy it anywhere? No place stocks it around here that I have found, have to order it online.

I buy my supply of corn head grease at John Deere dealers plus a separate grease gun to use the tubes in. I put that grease in older steering boxes that leak oil.

super99 · Jun 27, 2022

What is PHD?

Gene Davis (Ga.) · Jun 27, 2022

PHD = Post hole digger. I use the cornhead grease in my PHD also.

Richard G. · Jun 27, 2022

I have one of those gear boxes off a five foot Bush Hog sitting on a table in my shop.
I completely rebuilt it and then someone gave me a newer Bush Hog and I never put it on the old one.
I need to sell the gear box as the old Bush Hog frame is junk.

BarnyardEngineering · Jun 27, 2022

(quoted from post at 03:31:15 06/27/22) What is PHD?

I thought he said he had a PHD in grease, meaning a "doctorate degree" which metaphorically means "lots of knowledge and experience."

You know the song, "Workin' Man's PHD."

sotxbill · Jun 27, 2022

I replace the check plug with a grease fitting... and I just pump in grease out of my grease gun,, regular grease.. I fill level,looking in top to about the check plug... run it a bit and refill to check plug if it settles, Use a wire for the dip stick if you cant see the level. and life is good.. no more leaks, and no problems with the boxes in the last 10 years... Every year when I set it up, and grease all the pto, tail wheels and pivots, I give each box two pumps for good luck. I will run them till they dont. Luckly my boxes have vented fill caps so I dont have to worry about pressure building up and pushing out the grease seals at the bottom. ON some boxes I have drilled a small hole in the fill plug to vent them.

indianabuckman · Jun 27, 2022

I have a 6' woods finish mower and fill it with corn head grease this spring and it took 4 tubes

Cornhead grease in gear box

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