New Member question

[Gary_N_WV]

I'm new to this forum and new to Cubs and have a question.
In looking over my new-to-to me 1955 cub, I noticed there seems to be a cover missing on the right hand axle.
I visited TM Tractor parts and also looked at Rudi's manuals and am confused.
On TM tractor Parts site the part that seems to be missing is called an axle bearing cap if its on the left side, and if it's on the right side it is called an oil seal retainer.
When I look at mine, I can see the axle nut and if I look at the part on TM Tractor Parts, the center is open and would allow me to see the nut, but it covers the nut on the left hand side.
Is the nut on the right hand side supposed to be covered by something?

Thanks !
Gary

[Bigdog]

Gary, the right side is open. If you had a seed planter attachment, there would be a gear that attached to the axle stub to run the seed drive in sync with ground speed.

[Cub-Bud]

No, the RH side is not covered. There is a seal there to keep the oil in and the dirt and water out. The drive gear for the planter/side dresser mounts to the axle nut (notice the threaded hole in the center).

[Gary_N_WV]

Thanks for the quick response.
That puts my mind at ease.
I was worried that it was allowing tons of crud into the gears.

Gary

[Brent]

I think I read on this site once that if you want to cover the shaft a small tomato paste can will work. Oops, I think maybe that was for the pto shaft.

[Eugene]

My Cub has a tin can brazed to bracket/retainer covering the right hand axle stub. It was on the Cub when I purchased it. It's painted red and unless you look closely you don't notice it. I haven't pulled the tin can and the retainer off to examine more closely. The tin can appears to have been a common vegatable container. The can isn't distorted so it must be a good fit.

Eugene