My Gravely has 500 hours, and one spindle got damaged several years ago. It didn't hold grease, but I hobbled along with it for many seasons, a squirt here, a squirt there, etc.

I paid a local fella this winter to change the damaged spindle. Haven't used it yet.

I went to sharpen the blades today. The original Gravely nuts look like this (standard lock washers)

{{gwi:319227}}

The gravely manual says to tighten to 100ft-lbs.

The new one looks like this (and was almost hand-tight when I took it off) It is some kind of tension washer.

{{gwi:319228}}

1) how tight should it be?

Also, now I only have 2 grease fittings. The repair guy never told me I would get no grease fitting with the new part. And I paid him about $250 total parts and labor to change one spindle.

2) is it considered an upgrade to only have 2 grease fittings for a 3 spindle mower? Is this something that I want?

3) are his prices excessive?

{{gwi:319229}}