Hey everybody,
My combustioneer 77 has been running pretty well for a bit. But last night I came by and found it off. I realized my surge suppressor had tripped and when I restarted it the gearbox was stuck.
The oil level and color looked good. I did previously notice that the previous owner kept it quite full, I have not kept it as full. I assume there could be issues from overfilling potentially.
I pulled the top off and didn't see any obvious issues. The handwheel/output shaft would rotate back and forth by hand. I ended up putting a wrench on the end of the input shaft and turned it back and forth a bit until it "broke" free a bit. Didn't seem to damage anything and it turned okay after that.
Running again I did noticed a light rythmic knocking sound, seems to be at the input shaft speed. I was thinking maybe the bearings on it are bad. Not sure if that would cause it to lock up temporarily? I guess maybe if they overheated.
I assume I need to pull the bearing/bushing cover and check them out? Thanks for any input. I'm somewhat mechanically minded, but never really messed with a gearbox. I've included a diagram for anyone that isn't familiar with it.
Ross
Combustioneer Gearbox noises/stuck
- carlherrnstein
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- Hot Air Coal Stoker Stove: combustioneer model 77B
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It's possible that the ball cages in one of the bearings has disintegrated an bound the bearing up. If I remember correctly my gearbox has bearings marked Hoover.
I would double check the setscrews on the belt pulley I can't count how many times I've seen pulleys walk around on their shaft because the screw isn't tight. I would also look the belt over carefully it might be starting to fail.
I recommend getting both input bearings a the two lip seals an o ring and mess with it in the spring. It's kinda cold to shut down right now.
I would double check the setscrews on the belt pulley I can't count how many times I've seen pulleys walk around on their shaft because the screw isn't tight. I would also look the belt over carefully it might be starting to fail.
I recommend getting both input bearings a the two lip seals an o ring and mess with it in the spring. It's kinda cold to shut down right now.
- Hambden Bob
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Hern,I've never gotten "My Hooks" into one of these little gems but I've gotta' go with Your Theory..!! Would that shaft show up/down or side to side slop play to confirm it..?? With the rotten "Polish Vortex" Low Temps that are befalling Us in N.E. Ohio and well beyond,Yes it's a rotten time to shut down for "Major Surgery"..!! To me, the "Hat Trick" would be to have Howard Hughes' Money and pick up a working spare,install it with a minimum of downtime and bench rebuild that "Ailing Lizard" that's giving him "The Fits" Yes,I realize that I speak "Bob-Bonics" which usually needs it's own Interpreter,but generally I get the point across while generating a few self-deprecating laughs
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You may actually be right about the pulley. I went back and looked and I think it is lightly hitting the housing and that is what is making the slight noise. It looks like it's a little out of alignment maybe. I'll try to loosen the set screw and see.
I appreciate the detailed answer. I actually do have a another one, it's a little buried in a trailer but I can get it out if I need to take this one down.
I appreciate the detailed answer. I actually do have a another one, it's a little buried in a trailer but I can get it out if I need to take this one down.
- carlherrnstein
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- Joined: Tue. Feb. 07, 2012 8:49 am
- Hot Air Coal Stoker Stove: combustioneer model 77B
- Coal Size/Type: pea stoker/Ohio bituminous
Possiblity, depending on which bearing it is, if it's the one opposite the pulley probably not. Normally ball bearings run until they lock up/fall apart or get replaced because they are unbearably loud. I had a Hyundai that the front wheel bearings were going out on and at low speed there was a crunchy noise, but at high speed it sounded like a roar. Oddly enough their was no play in the wheel. When I replaced the bearings they fell apart and the balls weren't balls anymore, they had grooves mashed in them.Hambden Bob wrote: ↑Sat. Jan. 13, 2024 5:52 pm Hern,I've never gotten "My Hooks" into one of these little gems but I've gotta' go with Your Theory..!! Would that shaft show up/down or side to side slop play to confirm it..??
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- Joined: Fri. Oct. 09, 2015 3:30 pm
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Warm Morning 400B
- Hot Air Coal Stoker Furnace: Combustioneer 77B
- Coal Size/Type: Bit various sizes
- Other Heating: Oil furnace
It ended up the set screw was about loose. I was able to get the pulley moved to waste slightly and re-tightened, and it seemed to get rid of the noise. I believe that maybe was my only issue. I did notice the top/blower looks like it has a little wobble to it. But that’s probably a summer project.
I appreciate the help. Looks like we will need the heat this week.
I appreciate the help. Looks like we will need the heat this week.