Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

I am thinking of converting the bushings on my stock Craftsman to a model with auger bearings like the Husky models have.

What advantage will this offer?

Here is stock bushing setup:

http://audreyappliance.googlepages.com/1_bushing.jpg

Here is bearing setup that Husky used last year.

http://audreyappliance.googlepages.com/2_bearing.jpg

Here is bearing setup that Husky is using this year:

http://audreyappliance.googlepages.com/3_bearing.jpg

It appears to be longer and has a shear pin connection. I'd like to go with last option if possible since this would appear to offer the most support.

Thoughts or a waste of time and money?

Thanks!
Snowmachine

It depends on the amount of usage in terms of hours. Snowblowers being occasional use with low hours, slow rotational speed of the auger/impeller, low radial load, and very little axial load, I think bushings are sufficient. I would not replace them unless you notice slop, binding, or noisy rotation of the auger shaft on the bushing. Proper selection and quality bushing can go for a long time before replacement.

If you replace bushing with bearings, it is important to get the right size bearing that has proper interference fit with the shaft and bore. If you're spinning your bearings inside the bearing block, this is actually worse than the cheapest bushing. Also, a sealed bearing with proper lubrication for the operating environment is a must. Merely replacing a better component (bushing to bearing) with the wrong application is a waste of time and money.

Bushings fail by showing slop over time, bearings fail by destroying what they are mounted on from one day to the next, with no warning most of the time.

Bushings do not corrode like bearings, Bearings can become unsealed and entrap water promoting rush and failure. The snowthrower is bacsicly running "underwater" all the time..

Keep the bushings unless you go over your machine EVERY-time you use it like Borat, snicker snicker (not an insult)

Good Luck,

Friiy

Thanks for the feedback!!

It sounds like I should just keep the bushings. They are much cheaper to replace as well.

This blower will only be used occasionally at my cabin during the winter months.

The hours are going to remain relatively low for years to come.