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Ransomes Ajax mk 4 bearing removal

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Hi, I have just aquired a Ransomes Ajax mk 4 to restore. I have almost completed stripping it but can not remove the bearings from the cylinder shaft, or the pawl wheels from the rear roller shaft. I assume these should just pull off and have tried a hub puller with no effect. I am considering trying some heat on the pawl wheels. I suppose I could leave them, but the grease around the pawls had solidified so I realy would like to complete the strip down to clean and re-grease all the bearings. Any advice would be greatly accepted.

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wristpin Sat, 23/03/2013

I hoped that an Ajax expert would have helped you out by now but as no one has ...........!

Cutting cylinder bearings - presume that the bearing holders have pulled off the bearings leaving the on the shaft. Would have thought a small two or three leg puller would get the off or am i missing something. Only ever worked on a few Ajax and cannot remember encountering any problems .

Rear roller pawl wheels. I've had a quick scout round for an illustrated parts list but been unable to either find one on the net nor in my pile of old paper books . If you can find one it should give you some indication of how they are secured. I presume that as you think that you can remove them  you have decided that they are not as one with the rear roller shaft?

Sorry not to be of more positive assistance but I had hoped that by now someone with precise knowledge would have answered your questions!

ChrisW Sat, 23/03/2013

Thanks for your reply Wristpin.

The bearing holders are still attached to the bearings on the shaft.

I dont have a parts drawing but  the rear roller is in two halves, and I am prety sure the pawl wheels are holding them on the shaft. The hubs of the pawl wheels have a square headed screw which I assume is to lock them to the shaft. I have removed that and was optimistically expecting the pawl wheels to slide off.   PS "pawl wheel" is my description - it is the mechanism which allows the rollers to be turned backwards without turning the cylinder.

If any one has any suggestions they will be gladly accepted, meantime I will continue with my wire brush...........

Chris

 

wristpin Sun, 24/03/2013

Think that you are right about the square headed screws. Rather than risk breaking  anything why not get a bucket of red diesel (white if you like!) or heating oil (kerosene) and dunk the whole roller in it for a week or two - it's a very good freeing agent.

Cylinder bearings - you should be able to lever them off with a couple of big tyre levers. If you want to protect the bearing covers get a couple of big washers (the sort that go on farm gate hinges are good) , cut a slot out of them just wider than the shaft, drop them on between the bearing cover and the cylinder and lever between them and the end of the blades. I say between the end of the blades as then it lessens the risk of distorting the cylinder than if you lever against the webs between the blades. I've got a couple of two foot+ tyre levers and a selection of "protection washers" for the job.

hillsider Sun, 24/03/2013

Hello, the advice from Wristpin re removal of the bearings is very sound but be aware that the bearings fitted are usually of the self alinging type so may flop around a bit as you lever them off. Re the rear roller the square head bolts do secure the ratchet hubs to the shaft, if they are still stuck to the shaft then removal of the cover screws from the ratchet covers will allow you to tap the ends of the roller shaft through the hubs to loosen them without damage to the ratchet covers. Beware though not to lose the springs etc from inside the ratchet housing.  Ray 

hillsider Tue, 26/03/2013

Hi, Follow this link to the Ajax operator and parts manual - hope you find it useful. Thanks to the OLC admin team. http://www.oldlawnmowerclub.co.uk/sites/default/files/opmanual/Ajax%20Mk%204%20Operators%20and%0Parts.pdf                                                                                                                                     

ChrisW Thu, 28/03/2013

Thanks Wristpin and Hillsider for your advice, and link to the Ajax manual – very helpful. Spurred on by their assurances that all would be well I attacked the beast with blow torch, hub puller, leavers, and a hammer. The Aluminium cylinder bearing housings came off quite easily after some gentle heat, but the flames from the oil soaked felt washer inside were quite impressive! The bearings followed with a bit more heat. The pawl hubs on the rear roller were a bit more stubborn. The screws which secure them should bear on a flat on the shaft, but had instead been tightened onto the radiused surface. The hubs had then rotated, the screws scored the shaft, and it was the scoring that locked the hubs to the shaft. Lots of heat and hammering eventually got them free. When they eventually came off I was a bit alarmed to realise the pawl hubs are also aluminium! A light going over with a file and wet and dry paper soon had the hubs a nice sliding fit on the shaft. Was it a bit of a chew? Yes. Could I have left everything attached and cleaned them in situ? Probably Was the effort worth it for the satisfaction of doing a proper job? Definitely. Chris

hillsider Thu, 28/03/2013

That's ok glad to have been of help with your project, perhaps when you have finished it you could post us a photo of the mower. Hope you get it all cleaned and rebuilt without too many problems. Ray.