Shaft assembly for stump cutter
OwnerJohn T. Benningtoninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A stump grinding apparatus of the type adapted to be mounted in a frame on the end of a boom is described. The apparatus comprises a grinding wheel mounted between hubs keyed to a shaft that is connected though belts and gears to a source of motive power, such as a diesel engine. A pair of non-adjustable roller bearings are used to provide relative movement of the shaft and grinding wheel in the frame. The apparatus includes means for providing lubrication between relatively moving parts so that the life of the bearings and other component parts can exceed 5000 hours of use without failure. The shaft assembly includes dimensional tolerances that protect the moving parts from the ingress of dirt and other debris. The materials of construction are selected to also enhance trouble-free operation.
Claims18
A mounting arrangement for the cutter wheel of a stump grinder comprising:
- a) a shaft having an inboard end adapted to engage a rotational power source, and an outboard end distal from the power source;
- b) an inboard hub mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith, and an outboard hub mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith, each hub including a radially extending flange defining a gap between the two flanges adapted to receive a cutter wheel;
- c) an inboard cast iron shell surrounding the shaft and separated therefrom by an inboard roller bearing and by a layer of lubricant, and separated from the inboard hub by a grease labyrinth;
- and
- d) an outboard cast iron shell surrounding the shaft, separated therefrom by an outboard roller bearing and a layer of lubricant, and separated from the outboard hub by a grease labyrinth;
- the shaft and hubs rotationally movable with respect to the two cast iron shells.
A shaft assembly adapted to be mounted on a stump grinder frame and comprising a cutter wheel secured between two hubs, the hubs being mounted for rotation with a shaft, the shaft having an inboard end adapted to engage a rotational power source, and an outboard end;
- the hubs comprising an inboard hub and an outboard hub, each hub including a radially extending flange defining a gap between the two flanges to receive the cutter wheel;
- an inboard shell surrounding the shaft and separated therefrom by an inboard roller bearing and by a gap containing a layer of lubricant, said shell being separated from the inboard hub by a grease labyrinth;
- and an outboard shell surrounding the shaft, separated therefrom by an outboard roller bearing and a gap containing a layer of lubricant, and separated from the outboard hub by a grease labyrinth;
- the gaps between each of the shells and the shaft being no greater than about 0.080″, the two shells adapted to be mounted in a frame at the end of the boom.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.