The Taper lock bush, often known as taper bush, is a locking system generally used in powerful drives for placing pulleys, couplings and sprockets to shafts. It is pre-installed and meant to align with the keyway radius and shaft. Some of the popular companies of bush include – Fenner and Martin Taper Lock Bush. The outer side of the bush is adjusted to align with the element bore that has to be installed.
Manufacturing Facts
This bush is made of precision cast iron with a quality finish. This bush is an etched computer component for easy identification of size and can be manufactured using stainless steel also as per the need. These bushes are found in both metric shaft and imperial shaft sizes, which can span from 0.375 inches to 5 inches, and also 9 mm to 125 mm. Along with this almost every quality manufacturer also provides an installation guide with it.
Both types of taper lock bushes are made in their complete span of bushes having an even number of holes. This layout craft is equally suitable for high-speed usages and can be found off the shelf at CBC stores in various sizes. There are several manufacturers that usually manufacture taper lock bushes having an uneven number of holes. The above mentioned two taper lock bushes are popular for its feature of having the fourth hole, which is desired in higher speed usages where maintaining the right balance of the drive is of the essence.
How to Install Taper Lock Bush
The installation process of this bush needs to follow the following steps:
- First of clean the locking bush thoroughly, remove oil, dirt, grease, and metal filings. Also clean the bore, the shaft, the outer surface of the bushing, and the bore of the hub where the bush has to be fixed. Make sure the bush is taken out of the hub if it’s already installed.
- Now ensure that surfaces of the bushing are not having burrs and nicks. Also, make sure that the bushing does not have any cracks. Now put the bushing within the hub and align with the half holes to create complete holes. Just ensure that the holes are matching instead of the threads. Make sure all holes are threaded on any one side.
- Now lubricate threads, the set screws or threads, and beneath the top of the cap screws. Now put the screws within the holes that are hub-side threaded.
- Cross-check that the taper lock bush is released and put the combination onto the shaft and keep it in the right position. It’s time to insert the rightly sized key into the shaft keyway. Don’t forget to ensure that the key is the most suitable fit into the shaft keyway. There should not be any air gap between the bushing keyway place and top of the key to avoiding bush from getting cracked.
For this, you need to make sure there is no trace of oil between the taper bore of the hub and taper on the outside of the bushing, to which you have installed the bushing.
- Tighten the alternate screws until every screw is pulled up and the bushing has been adequately squared into the hub.
- You can use a block and a hammer against the wider end of the bush to ward off any cracks. Tap against the bushing with a light hand to keep it seated squarely. You need to tighten the screws further. You can use a torque wrench to do so until they are all set to the suggested torque setting.
- You must repeat this screw tightening and hammering process until the particular torque is acquired. This process needs to be continued until no tightening is required following hammering.
- Now fill the remaining holes left unused with silicone sealant or grease to stop them from getting filled with rust or dirt.
How to Remove a Taper Lock Bush
The removal process of this bush also requires a specific process to follow:
- Take out oil threads, screws, and place the set threads and screws, under the top of the cap screws.
- Now put screws into the holes threaded on the bushing part. Place the right sized washers under the screw tops. You should skip one screw that is not used while removing the bushing.
- Now tighten the alternate screws until the bushing gets to loosen up in the hub. In case it’s not loosening instantly, tap on the hub to help it remove.
Synopsis
During both processes, it is necessary that it is devoid of any type of lubricant. The lubricant surface is not recommended, as the taper bushing needs friction to function properly, and lubricants reduce the friction.
