CAD Digger Bushings - Brass vs Nylon??

[Mightypoo0]

McMaster-Carr sales all types of bushing and there not that price.mcmaster.com and search bushing.

 

[vicashoe]

I have built several 700 series CAD paln backhoes for 3 pts and another smaller version hoe from another plan and found that cost and use the green and white plastic nylon with oil impregnation is just as good and if not better than bronze. I got the idea from a manufacturer who uses the green for bushings in a large 100 ton machine. Does last without grease and most definately longer than bronze. Bad news is that it is very pricey even in the 2 " diameter. I have had one in my hoe for 6 years and no slop or any visible wear.

 

[JoelD]

I owned a cad digger for somewhere around 4-5 years. I put 100's of hours on the machine and only replaced the bushings once, just because.

I bent pins but never a problem with a bushing.

Those backhoes are crazy strong for a backhoe of any size much less their small size.

I wish my Kioti hoe used the same bushings the caddigger did, those things were super easy to replace the one time I did replace them and they were inexpensive and very very durable.

I am a huge fan of caddiggers, amazing little machines.

With those bushings there is little chance of reaming out any metal parts, in theory the friction points just won't wear out.

Related question, why are there not bushings on equipment where the cyl attaches?

Joel

 

[JoelD]

Thanks Kim
That is pretty impressive. I have ordered the bushings from MetKit. After discussing this (ad nauseum according to my wife /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif) with my buddy who's shop we are using to build this digger, we decided to go this route. If they don't last we do have the facilities to change them fairly easily.

Thanks to everyone for their outline of experience sprinkled with an appropriate dollop of skepticism - a pretty good mix I think.

Bob

From my experience with the machine you've made the right decision.

Joel

 

[Bill_C]

Note that there is a difference between nylon and nylatron. Nylatron is harder with a higher yield point. It machines better too. Of course, it's more expensive.

 

[Cheaney]

Check out IGUS bushings. Take a look at this site

igus - iglide plastic bearings to replace bronze bushings

I used them in several industrial design projects and have been sold on them. Some times you can talk the sales person in to supplying you with samples to try.
One drawback is that the bores for the bushings have tight tolerances and they have to be pressed in.