Frontier GM1060R Mower

10883 Views 97 Replies 10 Participants Last post by FortClatsop, 11 mo ago

ArkansasDave

Discussion Starter · Jul 25, 2021

I recently purchased a used Frontier GM 1060R finish mower from a dealer that had
been traded in. It wasn't very old and appeared to be in good shape and was reason-
ably priced. Anyway I asked the dealer to hook it up so I could see and hear it run
to make sure everything was good. So they hooked it up and let me see it run. I
spent a day on the underside cleaning, painting and blade sharpening. I noticed
the middle blade was a little stiff when trying to spin the outer two spun freely.
So anyway I greased everything and got it hooked up and started it and some-
thing didn't seem right and sure enough I looked underneath and the blades were
not turning. I was afraid the gear box was bad, so I pulled the covers and the blelt
was off and the tension spring was off also. So I tested the gear box to make
sure the out put was turning and it was so I hooked up the belt and spring and
boy was I surprised it was making a noise louder than the tractor which I believe
is the center bearing. Also the swivels are frozen but not the wheels they would not
take grease so I removed one bolt and spring but could not budge the swivel with
a pipe wrench so I have been treating the swivels daily with Aerokroil penatrant.
I don't know if the spindles have pressed on bearings or what. Anyway I am checking
on new bearings Monday but if any of you guys have experience with one of these
I need some advice if you have any tips or pointers thanks

Dave

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1 - 20 of 98 Posts

ArkansasDave

Discussion Starter · #2 · Jul 25, 2021

Wheel Tire Plant Lawn mower Automotive tire

Hood Automotive tire Motor vehicle Wood Helmet

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2

ddinham

· #3 · Jul 25, 2021

You are going to need to order a new spindle. And you might as well replace all three at once.

Dave

ArkansasDave

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jul 25, 2021

ddinham said:
You are going to need to order a new spindle. And you might as well replace all three at once.

Dave

can these not be rebuilt with new bearings?
thanks
Dave

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ddinham

· #5 · Jul 25, 2021

ArkansasDave said:
can these not be rebuilt with new bearings?
thanks
Dave

You might, but I wouldn't. It is not worth the trouble. But I would be careful where you purchase parts, as so many today are Chinese knock offs.

Dave

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SRG

· #6 · Jul 25, 2021

Take the spindles to a driveshaft and axle shop. They'll be able to rebuild them. Request Timken bearings if available.
Probably a bunch cheaper than parts from the dealer.

Reactions: 1

ArkansasDave

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jul 25, 2021

ddinham said:
You might, but I wouldn't. It is not worth the trouble. But I would be careful where you purchase parts, as so many today are Chinese knock offs.

Dave

Ok thanks I do appreciate the info

Dave

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ArkansasDave

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jul 25, 2021

SRG said:
Take the spindles to a driveshaft and axle shop. They'll be able to rebuild them. Request Timken bearings if available.
Probably a bunch cheaper than parts from the dealer.

Thanks I'll see what I can find in my area. I appreciate the response.

Dave

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JD Driver

· #9 · Jul 25, 2021

ArkansasDave said:
Anyway I am checking
on new bearings Monday but if any of you guys have experience with one of these
I need some advice if you have any tips or pointers thanks

Dave

Dave,

I have a Frontier GM1084R finish mower (great mower!). After using it for 16 yrs and probably close to 1,000 hrs, I noticed last year that one of the 3 blade spindles had a rough sounding bearing.

I followed the good instructions in the owner's manual to tear down the spindle and replace 2 bearings/races and 2 seals. I have a 20 ton homemade hydraulic shop press, so it wasn't very hard to do. No big hammers were involved and it runs nice and smooth now.

I bought the bearings, races, and seals from John Deere. I wouldn't have been too upset with spending over $40/set for each bearing/race, but the parts where stamped made in China, and I could have ordered Timken bearings/races online for about $8/set. Ouch!

The next time a spindle needs service, I will just order the bearings/races/seals online at a fraction of the cost. I like supporting my local John Deere dealer, but I won't pay 5X as much to get imported bearings unless there is no other choice.

I see that your GM1060R uses the same spindles/parts as my GM1084R. Follow the instructions in the owner's manual (closely), and you will be fine.

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ArkansasDave

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jul 26, 2021

JD Driver said:
Dave,

I have a Frontier GM1084R finish mower (great mower!). After using it for 16 yrs and probably close to 1,000 hrs, I noticed last year that one of the 3 blade spindles had a rough sounding bearing.

I followed the good instructions in the owner's manual to tear down the spindle and replace 2 bearings/races and 2 seals. I have a 20 ton homemade hydraulic shop press, so it wasn't very hard to do. No big hammers were involved and it runs nice and smooth now.

I bought the bearings, races, and seals from John Deere. I wouldn't have been too upset with spending over $40/set for each bearing/race, but the parts where stamped made in China, and I could have ordered Timken bearings/races online for about $8/set. Ouch!

The next time a spindle needs service, I will just order the bearings/races/seals online at a fraction of the cost. I like supporting my local John Deere dealer, but I won't pay 5X as much to get imported bearings unless there is no other choice.

I see that your GM1060R uses the same spindles/parts as my GM1084R. Follow the instructions in the owner's manual (closely), and you will be fine.

Hey I really appreciate the reply I was thinking about making or buying a small press and doing just that.
But I'm glad you told me about the JD bearings I have a Motion Industries near me and they will
have what I need most likely. I have the manual that shows the procedure I read it earlier some of it
is a little confusing but I have did allot of automotive wrenching so I should be able to figure it out but I do
have one question a guy I talked to says if they have inner dust covers leave them out for longer
bearing life but didn't see anything like that in the diagram do you know if they have inner dust covers
not sure what mower he has but he said it increased bearing life tremendously because the grease
could get into the spindle easier.

thanks
Dave

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JD Driver

· #11 · Jul 26, 2021

ArkansasDave said:
I do have one question a guy I talked to says if they have inner dust covers leave them out for longer
bearing life but didn't see anything like that in the diagram do you know if they have inner dust covers
not sure what mower he has but he said it increased bearing life tremendously because the grease
could get into the spindle easier.

thanks
Dave

Dave,

These blade spindles use a pair of tapered roller bearings which are open to grease on both sides, so nothing to worry about here (if I understand the concern).

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rtgt

· #12 · Jul 26, 2021

FWIW, a Hi-Lift jack, aka Farm Jack can be used as a press.

That is what I used when I rebuild the spindles in my Befco RMFM.

Reactions: 2

ArkansasDave

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jul 26, 2021

JD Driver said:
Dave,

These blade spindles use a pair of tapered roller bearings which are open to grease on both sides, so nothing to worry about here (if I understand the concern).

Ok thanks I sure appreciate it

Dave

View attachment 797044

View attachment 797043

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ArkansasDave

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jul 26, 2021

rtgt said:
FWIW, a Hi-Lift jack, aka Farm Jack can be used as a press.

That is what I used when I rebuild the spindles in my Befco RMFM.

I have a Hi-Lift hadn't thought of that thanks for the tip

Dave

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rtgt

· #15 · Jul 26, 2021

ArkansasDave said:
I have a Hi-Lift hadn't thought of that thanks for the tip

Dave

I clamped the top of mine in the vise to hold it in place.

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ArkansasDave

Discussion Starter · #16 · Jul 26, 2021

ArkansasDave said:
rtgt said:

FWIW, a Hi-Lift jack, aka Farm Jack can be used as a press.

That is what I used when I rebuild the spindles in my Befco RMFM.

Click to expand...

Ok I have a big vice in the shop I'll try that.
thanks

Dave

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ArkansasDave

Discussion Starter · #17 · Jul 26, 2021

That will save me some time I was going to build a press I'll get out the Hi-Lift.

thanks
Dave

Reactions: 1

ArkansasDave

Discussion Starter · #18 · Jul 26, 2021

I have been working on getting the spindle off all afternoon I pulled the gear box, belt, jam nut, washer
and pulled out the two 11 mm bolts from the top of the bushing. Then it said to put them in the threaded
holes and tighten equally to remove the bushing from the pulley and of coarse one broke off so I tried
vice grips on the stub and they wouldn't hold. So I soaked everything in Aerokroil and let it sit for awhile
I took a big pry bar and hammer and worked it around the bushing equally and it is moving up. I thought
if I can get it high enough I would put a 3 jaw puller on and try to get it off then drill out the broken bolt.
Anyway the temperature hit 100 and I just decided to call it quits until early Wednesday morning. I
have something tomorrow that takes priority over this so I have to take a day off. Probably need to
I was getting a little aggravated at the thing anyway. Something always goes south when I work on
something new like this! Ha Ha Oh well that's the way it goes but I'll get it eventually. I only had the
JD number from the book and it didn't cross reference but I priced JD bearings out of curiosity to
see how high they would be even though I wasn't going that route if they were made in China and
they were 136+ per spindle the Kubota dealer that sells woods said he could get them for 18.95 each
versus 29.00 for the JD bearings. The NAPA dealer said he could hook me up with SKF if I will bring
them in. I called Motion Industries and they said they are no longer open to walk in customers
due to Covid but they could mail me some to my house. Anyway still fighting this thing more
to come.

Dave

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Reactions: 1

ddinham

· #19 · Jul 26, 2021

ArkansasDave said:
I have been working on getting the spindle off all afternoon I pulled the gear box, belt, jam nut, washer
and pulled out the two 11 mm bolts from the top of the bushing. Then it said to put them in the threaded
holes and tighten equally to remove the bushing from the pulley and of coarse one broke off so I tried
vice grips on the stub and they wouldn't hold. So I soaked everything in Aerokroil and let it sit for awhile
I took a big pry bar and hammer and worked it around the bushing equally and it is moving up. I thought
if I can get it high enough I would put a 3 jaw puller on and try to get it off then drill out the broken bolt.
Anyway the temperature hit 100 and I just decided to call it quits until early Wednesday morning. I
have something tomorrow that takes priority over this so I have to take a day off. Probably need to
I was getting a little aggravated at the thing anyway. Something always goes south when I work on
something new like this! Ha Ha Oh well that's the way it goes but I'll get it eventually. I only had the
JD number from the book and it didn't cross reference but I priced JD bearings out of curiosity to
see how high they would be even though I wasn't going that route if they were made in China and
they were 136+ per spindle the Kubota dealer that sells woods said he could get them for 18.95 each
versus 29.00 for the JD bearings. The NAPA dealer said he could hook me up with SKF if I will bring
them in. I called Motion Industries and they said they are no longer open to walk in customers
due to Covid but they could mail me some to my house. Anyway still fighting this thing more
to come.

Dave

Now you know why I said "I wouldn't".

Dave

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Reactions: 1

ArkansasDave

Discussion Starter · #20 · Jul 26, 2021

ddinham said:
Now you know why I said "I wouldn't".

Dave

ddinham said:
Now you know why I said "I wouldn't".

Dave

Ha Ha you did warn me, but I'll get it eventually I priced the new assemblies but couldn't swallow the 1050.00 price tag
for them.

Dave

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