EFM Pot Bushing

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JRDepew
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Stoker Coal Boiler: EFM 350

Post by JRDepew » Wed. Oct. 02, 2013 11:02 am

Hello again,

I have been making some changes to my setup this year (longer auger, DHW coil install) and when fitting the new pipe/auger I reached in the pot and noticed that the pot bushing has ridges worn in it on the top side of the bushing. I have only ran the EFM for one season...is this normal? It seems that this bushing would last much longer. I have installed a new one before, so I know what I am up against, but it seems this bushing should last more than a season. I don't see my pot auger being bent (ran only the pot auger last year) so I am not sure what would cause this uneven wear on the bushing...Hopefully replacing the pot bushing won't become a yearly exercise! Anything else to look for other than a bent pot auger?

Thanks,
Joe

 
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Rob R.
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Post by Rob R. » Wed. Oct. 02, 2013 11:39 am

Alignment might be off a tad, and the two bushings have worn together. As long as there is not excessive play I wouldn't worry about it. Put it back together and enjoy the upgrades.

 
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JRDepew
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Stoker Coal Boiler: EFM 350

Post by JRDepew » Fri. Oct. 04, 2013 11:15 am

What makes these sleeve bearings cost so much?!? $20+ for a bushing. You can get excellent Graphite SAE 841 bearings for under 3 dollars a piece...rated up to to 700 degrees. I'm really not that cheap (cheap enough to burn coal though I suppose :lol: ) but I feel like 20 dollars should buy a handful of bushings, not just one...

Joe


 
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Rob R.
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Post by Rob R. » Fri. Oct. 04, 2013 12:46 pm

Why are you replacing it? How much free play is there when you reach in and grab the auger?

 
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stoker-man
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Post by stoker-man » Fri. Oct. 04, 2013 1:53 pm

The bushings aren't purchased out of a catalog. They are individually made at a machine shop. I'm not sure why you have grooves in your bushing. The burner worm wouldn't make grooves, but it would wear the pot bushing unevenly if the auger wasn't straight. Most people have their auger and bushings for many years. Some, 20-30 years, from what they told me.

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