TECHNICAL RESOURCE
Boom Pins, Bushes, Seals & Shims
When components on the excavator arm are worn it becomes very difficult to dig or position attachments with accuracy. Ultimately, components failing can cause injury or death.
Digbits manufacture and stock tens of thousands of pins, bushes, shims, dust seals and linkages for machines from under one tonne up to over 45 tonnes.
Digbits manufacture and stock tens of thousands of pins, bushes, shims, dust seals and linkages for machines from under one tonne up to over 45 tonnes.
Damage Prevention:
Regular inspections (as detailed by your manufacturer) and use of the grease gun are vital. Expensive damage can be caused if pins or bushes are allowed to wear to the point of failure. We frequently supply new dipper-end bosses as a result of unnecessary damage caused in this way.
Removing Old Bushes:
bushes is to put a ring of weld on the inside of the bush. As the weld cools the bush will contract and shrink. It can then be tapped out gently.
Important! Never hit hardened steel bushes directly with a steel hammer – they can shatter –, use a soft metal mallet or a wooden block, and always wear eye protection.
Important! Never use excessive force when removing or fitting hardened steel bushes into housings. In extreme cases the bush can distort the housing, causing misalignment and permanent damage, and may also shatter.
Important! Never hit hardened steel bushes directly with a steel hammer – they can shatter –, use a soft metal mallet or a wooden block, and always wear eye protection.
Important! Never use excessive force when removing or fitting hardened steel bushes into housings. In extreme cases the bush can distort the housing, causing misalignment and permanent damage, and may also shatter.
Fitting New Bushes:
When new machines are assembled in the factory, hardened steel bushes are often ‘shrunk fit’ or ‘freeze fit’ into housings/bosses, by dipping them into liquid nitrogen, prior to fitting. If you do not have access to these facilities, chilling the bushes in an ordinary domestic freeze (wrap them up so you don’t get oil and grease on anything edible!) will serve the same purpose.
Don’t be tempted to apply heat to the housing/boss, in an attempt to expand it, as this rarely works and often (if the walls expand inwards) makes the job even harder.
Important! Never hit hardened steel bushes directly with a steel hammer – they can shatter –, use a soft metal mallet or a wooden block, and always wear eye protection.
Important! Never use excessive force when removing or fitting hardened steel bushes into housings. In extreme cases the bush can distort the housing, causing misalignment and permanent damage, and may also shatter.
Don’t be tempted to apply heat to the housing/boss, in an attempt to expand it, as this rarely works and often (if the walls expand inwards) makes the job even harder.
Important! Never hit hardened steel bushes directly with a steel hammer – they can shatter –, use a soft metal mallet or a wooden block, and always wear eye protection.
Important! Never use excessive force when removing or fitting hardened steel bushes into housings. In extreme cases the bush can distort the housing, causing misalignment and permanent damage, and may also shatter.
