The hub cover can be removed without stripping anything else but be very very carefull when reassembling. If it's the type of cover that's retained with a wire loop, there is a ball bearing on the end of the sun gear shaft that can fall out. You'll never know until you move the machine and bingo you will have more steel than you know what to with. If you change the oil every time you do an engine service it should be OK. Changing to a synthetic oil may give a better life span.If you are super concerned start doing oil sampling. It will tell you if the problem gets worse- more parts per million.
there were 2 different drive motors used, right? earlier models had the smaller drive motor you're talking about, which i believe the smaller tl130 machines use also??
like this?
anyways, i have this style drive.
so if i remove this cover, nothing will fall out? will i need a new seal?
i guess part of the reason i'm concerned is that one of the drive motors was replaced under warranty when the machine was almost new. dealer said there was a bearing clearance issue problem with the drive motors at the time.
i'm also not fond of the 500 hour hub oil change intervals. i will change more frequently.
i'll change the oil again soon to see if the metal glitter is better or worse.
oh and i'm familiar with lots of metal! i had a jcb axle where some snap rings inside the hubs let go and the center drive gear ground against the inside hub cover. i ended up machining the snap ring grooves deeper and cleaned things up and no issues since.