EX60 swing gear seal gone aleady?

mutti_wilson · Nov 19, 2020

I've got about 10hr on a newly sealed swing gear box and I just noticed this seeping out. Checked the dipstick and oil doesn't show on the level. I haven't checked it since I filled it. Is it all common for these to use any oil as they settle in? I doubt it but hoping I don't have to yank that motor again. There was a little pitting on the seal sleeve that I cleaned up with sandpaper on the lathe. Maybe that already ate the seal? Seems unlikely with the low RPM these turn.

Seems like 1 step forward 2 back right now.

mutti_wilson · Nov 19, 2020

This is also the color of the crap I cleaned out when I pulled the motor. Wondering if maybe this is old grease getting worked out since I've used it?

Also it is parked on a bit of a slope and I didn't try adding oil since it's pouring outside. Might not be all that low but I doubt it.

mg2361 · Nov 19, 2020

When you cleaned out the grease bath for the swing gear how much grease did you put back in? It should only be about 1 inch deep. If too deep the grease can squirt out the top fast enough to ruin a seal. Especially if the first time you run the unit you didn't swing in a complete circle slowly to distribute the grease properly.

I see you are in Washington. Temperatures cold enough to freeze yet? Is the little boot around the rotary manifold in worn/cracked allowing water in that can freeze? That can ruin a seal in short order.

uffex · Nov 19, 2020

Good day Mutti
It is possible to repair a shaft surface with a product from SKF make a search for Speedi-Sleeve not so expensive and may save you some work.
Kind regards
Uffex

mutti_wilson · Nov 19, 2020

mg2361 said:
When you cleaned out the grease bath for the swing gear how much grease did you put back in? It should only be about 1 inch deep. If too deep the grease can squirt out the top fast enough to ruin a seal. Especially if the first time you run the unit you didn't swing in a complete circle slowly to distribute the grease properly.

I see you are in Washington. Temperatures cold enough to freeze yet? Is the little boot around the rotary manifold in worn/cracked allowing water in that can freeze? That can ruin a seal in short order.

I should have more specific. I replaced the seals on the swing reduction gear.

I packed in grease based on weight from what the manual said. 3.5 pounds if I remember correctly.

I've had light frost a couple mornings but that's it. Nothing of note.

mutti_wilson · Nov 19, 2020

uffex said:
Good day Mutti
It is possible to repair a shaft surface with a product from SKF make a search for Speedi-Sleeve not so expensive and may save you some work.
Kind regards
Uffex

Cool. I'll look into that.

excavator · Nov 19, 2020

Did you check the swing drive bearings when you re-sealed it? If there is any amount of play it may be enough to pop the seal again. You might have to pull the drive again to see. They say you can't live without water but when you live in Washington as you well know, you often question that statement. Check to see if there is water in the swing bearing area under the swing drive. There should be an oval shaped plate on the base of the floor. If you find water then check the rubber piece around the rotary manifold for cracks and also that it is down flat. Also check to make sure the drain holes at the front of the deck, by the boom cylinder base are not plugged up with grease ect. And make sure you park the machine so that water can not set on the floor around the swing drive.

mutti_wilson · Nov 19, 2020

excavator said:
Did you check the swing drive bearings when you re-sealed it? If there is any amount of play it may be enough to pop the seal again. You might have to pull the drive again to see. They say you can't live without water but when you live in Washington as you well know, you often question that statement. Check to see if there is water in the swing bearing area under the swing drive. There should be an oval shaped plate on the base of the floor. If you find water then check the rubber piece around the rotary manifold for cracks and also that it is down flat. Also check to make sure the drain holes at the front of the deck, by the boom cylinder base are not plugged up with grease ect. And make sure you park the machine so that water can not set on the floor around the swing drive.

Good call on the bearings. They seemed fine but there could be play in them. That would make sense for sure.

Yeah, I could live without the deluge sometimes. It's been pouring at our place lately.

I did clean all the junk out of those drain locations. I try to park it with some slope so they'll drain.

This is an around the house machine but I do have a job coming up and won't have time to get it pulled. I was thinking of getting a thinner grease and warming it and filling the case with that as a stop gap. Should be fine for awhile right?

excavator · Nov 19, 2020

mutti_wilson said:
Good call on the bearings. They seemed fine but there could be play in them. That would make sense for sure.

Yeah, I could live without the deluge sometimes. It's been pouring at our place lately.

I did clean all the junk out of those drain locations. I try to park it with some slope so they'll drain.

This is an around the house machine but I do have a job coming up and won't have time to get it pulled. I was thinking of getting a thinner grease and warming it and filling the case with that as a stop gap. Should be fine for awhile right?

I know of a company a short distance from me that had a swing seal leaking on an EX120-5 and just couldn't shut it down to fix it till later so I told them to put 00 grease in it. That was 5 years ago and I think it's still running that way.

John C. · Nov 19, 2020

Sometimes it just takes some time for the oil to settle to fill the box up. Top it off again and check it in a day or so. The bad grease will take some time to work out of the bearing.

mutti_wilson · Nov 20, 2020

I pulled the access plug on the front of the house and there is some gear oil in there. I'll be able spin it around tomorrow and see how much is in there. The grease in the turntable looked fine and was not the nasty brown color that is sleeping so I think the issues are not completed related.

I have some 00 grease I can use if it leaks out again.

mutti_wilson · Nov 21, 2020

Well I don't know what's going on anymore. I decided to pull the dipstick just for kicks and the oil is 3/4 to the full line. I checked it multiple times the other day and it wasn't showing. The only thing I can think it that the dipstick was hung up and not seating. I'm going to clean up the brown goop and run it tomorrow for awhile and check levels again. Maybe there wasn't anything wrong and this was all for naught. I'm good with that if that's the case.

mutti_wilson · Nov 21, 2020

Now this. Started the machine and saw oil pouring out of it. Took the inspection cap off and here's what I have.

The dipstick smells like gear oil but the tub is full of hydraulic fluid. Center joint leaking?

John C. · Nov 21, 2020

That would be my impression.

mutti_wilson · Nov 21, 2020

John C. said:
That would be my impression.

I'm halfway through pulling it out. Fun Saturday for sure.

Bluox · Nov 21, 2020

My bet the swing motor is leaking into the swing drive and the pinion seal is leaking into the tub.
Bob

mutti_wilson · Nov 21, 2020

Bluox said:
My bet the swing motor is leaking into the swing drive and the pinion seal is leaking into the tub.
Bob

Wouldn't that show on the dipstick? I smell gear oil on the dipstick and it's definitely hydraulic fluid in the tub.

excavator · Nov 21, 2020

mutti_wilson said:
Wouldn't that show on the dipstick? I smell gear oil on the dipstick and it's definitely hydraulic fluid in the tub.

If your swing motor was leaking hydraulic oil into the tub you wouldn't have any gear oil left in the swing drive. You are correct in looking at the center joint. Isn't it fun owning equipment?

mutti_wilson · Nov 21, 2020

excavator said:
If your swing motor was leaking hydraulic oil into the tub you wouldn't have any gear oil left in the swing drive. You are correct in looking at the center joint. Isn't it fun owning equipment?

I have a dozer and a tractor as well as small engines and chainsaws all over. I kind of enjoy working on them but sometimes it gets a bit much. My wife doesn't share the same excitement about it though.

mutti_wilson · Dec 7, 2020

Putting this thing back together and I was blowing out the ports just for kicks and noticed something that has me stumped.

On one side the large port and small ports are connected, on the other side air comes out of the opposite sized fitting. That can't be right can it? The short large fitting side is the one with the issue. You can see the mismatch in the photo.

EX60 swing gear seal gone aleady?

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