Taking steps back to go forward

[boncrshr]

Man, I am tired, and I have realized the true drawback to amphibs is the position you have to be in to work on them.

Anyhoo, I have completely disassembled my machine. The T-20 reseal plus 1 new output shaft bearing is complete. Red clutch spring is installed. My new axle bearings are sitting on the shelf, and I figured now would be a good time to fabricate some chain adjusters. A buddy and I came up with a design that will be easy and cheap to do. An advantage will be that the tensioner will be spring loaded, which should lessen the need for adjustment and reduce shock on driveline components. If this works out good, I will post as an article.

I will keep ya'll posted, it is peanut butter and jelly time...

[jpswift1]

If you think working on a standard 950 Hustler is tough on your back, try tinkering with a 980 BIGFOOT with that extra deep tub. I remember when I was trying to solve all of my carb issues my machine, myback was sore for days.

[ygmir]

yeah,
I was thinking of a spring loaded idea for chain tensioners, too.
I wonder if there is a reason they're not on them already?
seems they're not that tough to make, especially at the factory, so, I just wonder if there's a drawback?

seems a pivot, lever, and spring would work nicely,
and, easy to install on the existing mounts.

I'll probably have to wait until things slow down here for me to get to "inventing"......

and,
I'll look forward to what you come up with, too.

[LarryW]

The only problem I see is when you go into reverse. It would overpower the spring and really tighten that side but then the other side will go super loose. You might have to have them on both sides of chain.

[ygmir]

good thought. I guess it might matter the relation of the arm to chain angle, and/or, diameter of roller?
It would seem as long as you're not over-center of the roller, relating to the angle of the arm-to-chain, it shouldn't care which direction it was going?
Just a thought.......I'm no engineer.......

[LarryW]

Im not sure the correct way to discribe but I was talking about the push/pull of the chain. The drive side is always tight. The side that would be pulled to drive sprocket. The side pushed away from drive sprocket would be loose. Now in reverse the push/pull is backwards and the side that tightens will overpower the spring making the side that is already loose, looser.

[ygmir]

oh, ok, I see what you're saying...
but, wouldn't the fact that the tires can slip or rotate independently of eachother to some extent, allow the side the chain wants to tighten to, adjust itself?

I can be "wrong headed", though.........cool hand Luke........

haha