Colt Case Ingersoll Garden Tractors

My 4016's front center axle grease fitting popped out yesterday while greasing my tractor. Initially it looked like the threads were stripped so I took a trip to the local tractor supply and bought:
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/produ ... _vc=-10005
However they were clearly too big. Fortunately I did not open them. After doing some research I found the factory grease fitting (PN: 219-404) is actually a 3/16" drive in fitting. I tried gently driving the old fitting back in but it popped back out when I attempted to grease the front axle. I took another trip to tractor supply and exchanged the previous fittings for 3/16" drive fittings:
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/produ ... _vc=-10005
The new 3/16" drive fittings also popped right out when attempting to grease the front axle. Sounds like I'm making another trip to tractor supply to get threaded fittings
Can anyone make any recommendations? Go back and buy the first fittings? Anyone know what size tap is needed? Almost guaranteed I don't have the correct size drill bit at home
I just want to get my snowblower on this week while I'm on vacation before the freezing temps return. The problem there is choosing between my SB48 snowcaster and my Berco.

The first link is for 1/4" fittings / zerks. Use a 1/4- 28 tap.


Gordy

Any time I work on one of these for the first time I remove and replace the grease fittings . 1/4 - 28 starting and bottoming taps and tap sockets get into most places with 1/4" ratchet .

Dave

Thanks guys. Looks like #3 (0.213") or 7/32" (0.218") will work for 1/4-28 tap.

Never heard of a grease nipple drive fitting.

Noel

MattA wrote: ↑Wed Dec 29, 2021 9:21 pm Thanks guys. Looks like #3 (0.213") or 7/32" (0.218") will work for 1/4-28 tap.

Note , If you are doing it while still assembled grind 3/4 of the tip flat so it can cut deeper with out damaging the shaft or pin.
Use greases on the tip to hold chips . Do the same thing with the taps .

Dave

Propane57 wrote: ↑Thu Dec 30, 2021 4:13 am Never heard of a grease nipple drive fitting.

Noel

Neither had I until getting into Mowers ect. It was a labour cost saving thing when so much more was done by hand .

Dave

I replaced the grease fitting this afternoon. I ended up just pulling my aftermarket front axle pin out to drill, tap and clean out the hole. The grease fitting did loosen up while I was using the grease gun. I may just need to tighten it more. I didn't see much online for 1/4-28 grease fitting torque specs. The install went well otherwise. Very little wear on the aftermarket axle pin in the past 2 years (seller ebay id xetta).

That's great Matt! Happy to see a happy ending to this. I'm pretty sure I'll need to address some of my zerks too, so it's handy to know what awaits me.

Good to hear Matt. Mine is quite loose as well, and I'm unable to tighten it. But it will still take grease so I'll leave it for now. Will come back to this thread down the road!

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MattA wrote: ↑Thu Dec 30, 2021 9:10 pm I replaced the grease fitting this afternoon. I ended up just pulling my aftermarket front axle pin out to drill, tap and clean out the hole. The grease fitting did loosen up while I was using the grease gun. I may just need to tighten it more. I didn't see much online for 1/4-28 grease fitting torque specs. The install went well otherwise. Very little wear on the aftermarket axle pin in the past 2 years (seller ebay id xetta).

Good little project done Matt, wasn't a needed one, but good to see the axle pin is holding up.
So, which blower did you put on?

Timj wrote: ↑Sun Jan 02, 2022 9:31 am

MattA wrote: ↑Thu Dec 30, 2021 9:10 pm I replaced the grease fitting this afternoon. I ended up just pulling my aftermarket front axle pin out to drill, tap and clean out the hole. The grease fitting did loosen up while I was using the grease gun. I may just need to tighten it more. I didn't see much online for 1/4-28 grease fitting torque specs. The install went well otherwise. Very little wear on the aftermarket axle pin in the past 2 years (seller ebay id xetta).

Good little project done Matt, wasn't a needed one, but good to see the axle pin is holding up.
So, which blower did you put on?

Tim - The Berco is on. The reasoning isn't what you would expect. The Berco is 10" narrower than my snowcaster with the 2" extension wings. This leaves a lot more room between my car and the tractor to carry our 7 month old in her car seat.

MattA wrote: ↑Sun Jan 02, 2022 12:19 pm

Timj wrote: ↑Sun Jan 02, 2022 9:31 am

MattA wrote: ↑Thu Dec 30, 2021 9:10 pm I replaced the grease fitting this afternoon. I ended up just pulling my aftermarket front axle pin out to drill, tap and clean out the hole. The grease fitting did loosen up while I was using the grease gun. I may just need to tighten it more. I didn't see much online for 1/4-28 grease fitting torque specs. The install went well otherwise. Very little wear on the aftermarket axle pin in the past 2 years (seller ebay id xetta).

Good little project done Matt, wasn't a needed one, but good to see the axle pin is holding up.
So, which blower did you put on?

Tim - The Berco is on. The reasoning isn't what you would expect. The Berco is 10" narrower than my snowcaster with the 2" extension wings. This leaves a lot more room between my car and the tractor to carry our 7 month old in her car seat.

That makes sense, but your right, not what I was expecting. Was thinking I was going to get enlightened with reasoning, based on performance in anticipated snow conditions.

MattA wrote: ↑Thu Dec 30, 2021 9:10 pm I replaced the grease fitting this afternoon. I ended up just pulling my aftermarket front axle pin out to drill, tap and clean out the hole. The grease fitting did loosen up while I was using the grease gun. I may just need to tighten it more. I didn't see much online for 1/4-28 grease fitting torque specs. The install went well otherwise. Very little wear on the aftermarket axle pin in the past 2 years (seller ebay id xetta).

That is what I have done when the pressed-in fitting comes out. I figure it was a simple and fast method for the factory. They also probably had a tool for just that purpose. They rarely come out. It is just easier to remove the pin, drill and tap the hole and use the threaded fittings.

The axle pins are so tight when you use the new pin kits that it is not really feasible to expect the grease to flow. I do jack up the front end when I grease all the front-end fittings.

I have pins made that I just use on tractors that I service. I have my guy cut grooves in the pin so that the grease can move around the pin. I grease the new pins with the bolt just snugged up good but not yet tight. I figure it will be years before it needs to be greased. The new pins are so much harder.