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Gearbox rebuild


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The gearbox on our BMC 1.5 (its a Hurth manual as far as I can remember) is starting to have problems locking into forward solidly and sometimes slips before going "clunk" and driving the prop properly.  We've run the adjustments on the cables as far as we can... Its about 16 years since we put it in so its not done too badly I guess.

So I'm looking for recommendations for an engineer round Market Drayton who can do a good rebuild for us.

Edited by StephenA
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I have read more than one account of so called reconditioned Hurth  boxes failing very quickly and the owners then buying a new box. I suspect it may be to do with not setting endfloats correctly but that is just a guess. (if the Hurth has shims for endfloat).

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One of the problems is in deciding what to replace. It's a toss up between only replacing the forward clutch and assuming the reverse pack is OK, and replacing both making the cost of the rebuild more than the cost of a new box

Plus, these boxes need a whole stack of parts pressing on and off one of the shafts, while making sure delicate parts don't get caught or fall out, which takes time. 

Richard

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Is there an adaptor plate available to take a PRM hydraulic box? PRM make good gearboxes. Mine has now done just over 15000 hours without trouble, but is booked in for an inspection and overhaul next week.

..............Dave

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A number we've been given as an expert in Hurth gearboxes is John Else.

PM me for his number, I don't want to put it on here as it's a mobile number and I don't want to cause him excess Spam by getting it harvested.

Although he works with them, he's quite likely to tell you they are not up to much, but as you's has already done 16 years it might well be a bit more robust than the tiny one we had dealings with recently. John said he could do a rebuild, but wouldn't give it much more then 6 to 12 months! Even the company we found selling new ones wouldn't give them more than a couple of years.

However it was probably a completely different model and too small for the job.

Sue

 

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28 minutes ago, dmr said:

Is there an adaptor plate available to take a PRM hydraulic box? PRM make good gearboxes. Mine has now done just over 15000 hours without trouble, but is booked in for an inspection and overhaul next week.

..............Dave

Many of the more modern boxes conform to an SAE standard, so the fixing bolt pattern and input shaft dimensions are the same. You'll find this is true for some PRM, ZF/Hurth and Tecnodrive boxes

Richard

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18 hours ago, StephenA said:

The gearbox on our BMC 1.5 (its a Hurth manual as far as I can remember) is starting to have problems locking into forward solidly and sometimes slips before going "clunk" and driving the prop properly.  We've run the adjustments on the cables as far as we can... Its about 16 years since we put it in so its not done too badly I guess.

So I'm looking for recommendations for an engineer round Market Drayton who can do a good rebuild for us.

The smaller mechanically operated range of Hurth boxes are known to exhibit the symptoms you have with your unit if overdue for a flush out and oil change. I do not know of anyone in the vicinity of Market Drayton to recommend to you, but there is a Marine Engineer who would undoubtedly be able to help you either with attention to your gearbox or possibly a replacement. He did have a good, low hours used Hurth box, taken from a wrecked engine, for sale a few weeks ago and may still have it.

You can contact him on 07553 294325 or email at > tony@canalrivertransport.com <

 

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34 minutes ago, RLWP said:

Many of the more modern boxes conform to an SAE standard, so the fixing bolt pattern and input shaft dimensions are the same. You'll find this is true for some PRM, ZF/Hurth and Tecnodrive boxes

Richard

Its good to learn new things, I thought the SAE applied to the diameter and bolt pattern at the engine end, didn't realise it was the gearbox end as well. Surprised that Europe lets us use those SAE standards.:D

.............Dave

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3 hours ago, PhilAtterley said:

The smaller mechanically operated range of Hurth boxes are known to exhibit the symptoms you have with your unit if overdue for a flush out and oil change.

 

Its had regular flushouts and oil changes and its been run on AFT since we got it from a company somewhere over near Peterborough. Reverse is rock solid, so I'm pretty sure its just the front clutch pack is getting worn out. Oil still looks clean and we've never over filled it.

I have found a marine gearbox specialist near Atherstone, so I guess I'll need to go up the boat, stick my head down into the engine well and get the details off the plate on the box. I'm pretty sure its a HBW 150 (or it might be a 100)

  • Greenie 1
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Just now, RLWP said:

G.B. Marine? 

Richard

That would be them - I assume they're a good company to go to.. I can't remember who I got the current gearbox from - I do remember driving down the motorway from birmingham and using the "emergency" exit from a services to get onto the right road.... actually thinking about that the company might have been near nuneaton. .so it could be the same people...

 

 

Edited by StephenA
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Just now, StephenA said:

I do remember driving down the motorway from birmingham and using the "emergency" exit from a services to get onto the right road....

The last time I drove through Corley services they'd fitted automatic bollards to stop folk doing that. I really don't know why because it was a convenient cut-through. 

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11 hours ago, Tony Brooks said:

I have read more than one account of so called reconditioned Hurth  boxes failing very quickly and the owners then buying a new box. I suspect it may be to do with not setting endfloats correctly but that is just a guess. (if the Hurth has shims for endfloat).

Happened to us

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23 hours ago, RLWP said:

Many of the more modern boxes conform to an SAE standard, so the fixing bolt pattern and input shaft dimensions are the same. You'll find this is true for some PRM, ZF/Hurth and Tecnodrive boxes

Richard

I replaced my Technodrive box with a PRM150.  Straight swop on the mounting plate.  Slight difference in length and drop of the output shaft, but easily accommodated.   You will also need an oil cooler, again easily fitted.   Made a huge difference.   Note that the lever operation is the reverse (or at least, it was for the Technodrive), easily dealt with by changing the connection point on the Teleflex.

I posted similar yesterday but it seems to have disappeared - have some posts been lost in the downtime earlier today?

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  • 3 weeks later...

As a follow up to this ... the gearbox died yesterday morning. Norbury had replacement for just over 550. Also needed a new spring plate which was 85 (The one that was in had been in for over 26 years)

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