Could you remove the seal from the bearing on the grease side? Bob

I would just install the correct Cat bearings and be done with it, it's up to you.

My hat is off to Milton Cat out Batavia NY. Talked to Chris on Tuesday morning, got home from work today and all the parts were sitting on the porch waiting for me. Everything was correct, which I would expect, but I have had issues with other suppliers even when I gave them part number.

With respect to removing one of the seals, that has crossed my mind. But am leaning towards using the sealed bearings as is. A little back ground here. I am a mechanical engineer with 38 years experience, with 30 of those specifying rolling element components. I would be the very first to say just because I have a reasonably lengthy time in the field, doesn’t mean I really know more than anyone else for this application. My years of experience has taught me that I surely don’t have all the answers, and there are many solutions to each problem and to way the solution to each based on design intent and actual operating condition. In my case this D2 will get maybe 10 hours run time a year at the most. If the outside seals wear from a lack of lubrication, that is ok, the bearing seals will do the job. The bearing lubrication will handle any of the temperatures they will experience. I would rather have a sealed bearing than to have an open bearing that doesn’t get service regularly or correctly.

When I was a young engineer, I thought I had all the answers, and got upset when technicians didn’t follow my service plan, and would label that as the cause of many failures. As I became a little more experienced, I understand that usually was a very sound reason that those plans we’re deviated from. They ranged from unrealistic service intervals based on production plans changing production run times (some equipment ran for 24/7 up to 11 to 12 months without shut down), to not clearly stating the importance of the service interval. Yes I also ran into lazy individuals who just plain didn’t service the equipment. These are just some of the examples of understanding the operating conditions that have to considered during the selection process.

I know I have gotten a little long winded here, but in a nut shell, sealed bearings will work for me.

Well written timbo 1946, having done a D2 and D4 waterpump rebuild myself I'd lean towards the sealed bearings, just because it's a set and forget deal, look at front wheel hubs on cars and trucks, they last for hundreds of thousands of miles and get hammered with really high, and low temperatures, plus water and dirt, you never hear of them failing, or rarely for the tens of millions in use.

My only reservation is making sure you get the same load rated bearings, you being a Engineer will be all over that, I got some Cat Classic bearings for one of my pumps and didn't use them after I counted the balls, there were a couple fewer than the regular Cat bearings which I ended up buying, those fans are heavy in a Cat, and get a lot of punishment.
Mike

I have use sealed bearings on every cat water pump I worked on, all antiques. They have held up great for the for hours I play with them. Far from a endurance test.

Working when I had some spare time, and when my back would allow, got the D2 buttoned up today. If I had to do it over I would pull the radiator. I was able to loosen the radiator and move it around enough to put water pump in without the fan on, then slip that in after. Had to be very careful not to damage the radiator, had it covered with cardboard. Well is done. I realized that since I have owned the D2, I never have had all all of my old tractors in one place. Had to get a video of them all together, sorry the other tractors are all IH. The Cat keeps them in line lol

Well done, you are right, there is very little room to get that pump out, it only takes a few minutes to remove the radiator if you have a overhead gantry or front end loader, and makes that pump repair a lot easier.

You have a beautiful looking property, and some nice tractors, what are the trees in the background, are they apples?
Mike

Yes those are apples. I wish they were mine. This is the farm I grew up on Dad sold the farm around 1980, but kept the house and barn. My youngest daughter now owns the place. The first 20 trees or so in the long rows are on her property. Mom and Dad let the farmer plant them on the property when they owned it. The W6 and OS6 with loader will be my youngest. She antique tractor pulled with the W6. The D2 and other OS6 go to my oldest daughter. I look at them as I’m just the care taker for now. Oldest has two boys, 3 and 2. Their Dad farms, and has all kinds of tractors, but the hoys still like ride GPa and Ma Ma’s tractors. They already know that they will theirs someday. Youngest is about ready to have her first, also a boy. Hope he will be interested just like his Mom is.

That's a great family story, thanks for sharing it.
Mike

Those are beautiful tractors and it sounds like you have caretakers set up so they'll be around for a long time.