OIL bath hubs

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fish4thepeck

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Apr 17, 2007
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South Pittsburg
Thought I would get an opinion on everyones take on oil filled hubs verses greased packed hubs. Seems to me maintance is about the same but the only problem with the oil filled hubs is if you blow a seal or one gets a little worn you lose all of your lube but with the grease you might make it home. I'm curious why Ranger went to the oil filled hubs. I admit I didn't check my levels everytime I went fishing but after the train wreck I have had this week I'm going to be more careful. When I did check my levels they always looked good but always appeared milky thru that sight glass that they put on them. I always was under the impression that oil and water didn't mix. emoBang
 
The way TieDown designs theirs allows a bit of oil stay in the cup of the hub if a rear seal goes out or the front cap. Ranger out nearly 2000 miles on a hub partially dry and the other side with water in the oil. We use them....hardly see an issue.

UFPs new gold version is about the same yet it's sealed in the front with a pressed in cap. The trick to BOTH end units are true triple lipped seals. Yes, fishing line will destroy a seal too. Keeping an eye on them is really no differant than a grease unit. Both need to be watched periodically and serviced.

Now...oil vrs grease when you broke down...I'd rather have grease. Those hubs and parts are much easier to find. However, the oil baths will run on grease so long as you can get the bearings and hub cavity filled.
 
Ranger rep told me milky was ok and you could run it 100,000 miles. But if it was leaking oil you need to fix it. It can turn milky from traveling along way and/or launching in cold water. He also told me about Hybrid grease; alot of people are changing over to this. I got a call into Bunch Marine about what the process is to change over. Mike from Bunch Marine is going to call me back and when he does, I'll be sure to post it for you or you can call him directly if you prefer. I got this info at the Knoxville Boat Show; from Ranger Rep.
 
Fairly new now for over a year and yes, it's the stuff to have! Tiedown does it in the Vortex System. Cooled down, it's more like a grease, heated up...more like oil. I can get the kits if anyone is interested. Just for the record, we have not had 1 single warranty claim in over a year and a half on that system.
 
Buoy-Master about what does it cost to change a dual axle trailer over to this setup? Ranger Z20 trailer .

Thanks Tony
 
That I'd have to look at. We get all our hubs in full assembly. Spindle and hubs. We just weld the axle beam to them. I can get a price Monday for you.
 
I’ve used them on my boat trailer for over a year now, with zero trouble. Wouldn’t be without them.
 
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