Method and apparatus for servicing a gear assembly

Abstract

An aspect of the invention is an improved method for servicing a gear assembly having a gear segment and a spider for supporting the segment. The method includes the steps of providing a jack assembly with a jacking bolt mounted for radial outward movement, moving the jacking bolt radially outward, applying a separating force to the segment and disengaging the segment from the spider. Further steps involve providing a drawtight assembly with a coupler attached to the segment, applying a force to the coupler, moving the coupler radially inward and engaging the segment with the spider. Other aspects of the invention include the "jacking" apparatus for separating a segment from the spider (for service purposes) and the "drawtight" apparatus for re-attaching the segment to the spider. The invention is particularly useful in connection with large machinery, e.g., a walking dragline, involving heavy and/or unevenly-wearing gear parts and difficult field service conditions.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.