[AT] OT: wheel packer question

[Stuart Harner]

Since things seem a little slow for tractor discussion, I will ask for some help that is sort of tractor related.

I work for the County road dept. in the summer and we have an old wheel packer that needs some repairs.

This unit has four tires on the front axle and six in the back.  There is a large "tub" that is filled with gravel for weight.  On the sides are placards saying "Ferguson".  The data plate on the front says made by Shovel Supply, Dallas TX.  Unfortunately, someone pushed this packer from the front and wiped the model and serial numbers from the plate.  We even removed it to see if we could read the stampings from the back, but there were rocks between the plate and the frame so the back was damaged too.

The engine and drive train is an Oliver tractor, probably a 770 or 880.  There is an Oliver data plate on it.

The rear drive wheels are run by large roller chains that come down from the axles of the Oliver.  Of the 6 wheels on the back, the two outer ones on each side are actually drive wheels that are connected to the chain case.  The center two wheels are just "tag" axles.

The lower unit of the drive wheel holds the axle, bearings and chain sprocket.  They are attached to the chain case with bronze bushings that allow the lower unit to pivot slightly from side to side.  I suspect that this is to let one tire ride up over a bump without putting all the weight on that tire.

The lower unit is filled to the axle level with 80/90 grease that also lubes the chain and sprockets.  There is a seal between the lower unit and the upper chain case.  This seal has to compress and expand to accommodate the rocking from side to side that the lower unit does.  On our machine, the seals are shot and all the grease runs out if you are on any kind of a side slope.  We don't know if the seals are original or if someone has improvised in the past.  In any case, the current seals look like they were poured in place.  It is a rubbery compound (not RTV) but you can definitely see the beads that were laid out.

>From the research I was able to do on the web, it looks like this was a 10-12 ton packer probably built in the mid to late '60's.  I have not been able to find any source for parts or manuals.  If anyone has any information that they can provide I would appreciate it.  Even ideas on how to make a new seal for the lower unit.

Thanks,

Stuart