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Well it looks like my Berco needs some work
Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2022 8:31 pm
by MattA
While oiling up the chains in my Berco snowblower today I noticed the input shaft bearing adjacent to the pulley is shot. I may need to replace the shaft as well
I'll have to see what it looks like when I take it apart. Looks like I'm using the snowcaster for now... and the
questions why I need two snowblowers.
Re: Well it looks like my Berco needs some work
Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2022 6:23 am
by DavidBarkey
ouch . Tell your
. If I had 2 tractors , each with a Seasonal specific attachment I would not need to rush and
when
.
Re: Well it looks like my Berco needs some work
Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2022 8:10 am
by Eugen
@MattA if it makes you feel a little better, the dust shield on the new bearing I installed on the snowcaster in the same position fell off after a few minutes.
How much of a pain is it to replace this one?
Re: Well it looks like my Berco needs some work
Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2022 9:12 pm
by MattA
DavidBarkey wrote: ↑Sat Dec 03, 2022 6:23 am
ouch . Tell your
. If I had 2 tractors , each with a Seasonal specific attachment I would not need to rush and
when
.
Agreed
Re: Well it looks like my Berco needs some work
Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2022 9:17 pm
by MattA
Eugen wrote: ↑Sat Dec 03, 2022 8:10 am
@MattA if it makes you feel a little better, the dust shield on the new bearing I installed on the snowcaster in the same position fell off after a few minutes.
How much of a pain is it to replace this one?
Probably not too bad. I'm going to take it apart and then order what I need. I started taking it apart today but ran out of time. I did get my winter tractor conversion done today.
Re: Well it looks like my Berco needs some work
Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2022 1:30 am
by Eugen
The only thing a man doesn't need two of is the
! Everything else it's good to have back up!
That red tractor looks nice!
Re: Well it looks like my Berco needs some work
Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2022 9:09 pm
by MattA
I took advantage of the 50F weather this afternoon and got my Berco's input shaft removed and disassembled. The 0.750" shaft is worn down to about 0.690" by the input pulley and down to about 0.725" by the output gear. The output gear shaft key and chain tensioner both have some wear.
Re: Well it looks like my Berco needs some work
Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2022 9:27 am
by Eugen
@MattA I'm assuming those are the excentric tightening bearings in the first picture? Did they seize and turned the shaft down from friction? What are you going to do about the shaft? With access to a lathe and welder you could add material and then turn it to size I suppose.
Re: Well it looks like my Berco needs some work
Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2022 4:39 pm
by MattA
Eugen wrote: ↑Fri Dec 30, 2022 9:27 am
@MattA I'm assuming those are the excentric tightening bearings in the first picture? Did they seize and turned the shaft down from friction? What are you going to do about the shaft? With access to a lathe and welder you could add material and then turn it to size I suppose.
I think the bearings are eccentric like the snowcasters but I have not confirmed this. Neither bearing was seized. The bearing by the pulley? has a little vibration as you turn it. The gear side? is nice and smooth like new. The gear side bearing was missing 1 of 2 set screws. Its possible the bearings may not have been tightened down by the previous owner/factory.
The parts for the Berco are still available from Salempwr and Lawn care distributors. I got a quote from lawn care distributors at about 30% discount over Salempwr.
https://www.lawncaredistributors.com/parts/
Input shaft ~$22
Input shaft bearings ~$13 for both
Tensioner + the spring ~$9
Either shaft key $18
I'm debating buying the key that looks a little worn. Any feedback is appreciated...
Berco manuals are attached for anyone interested.
Re: Well it looks like my Berco needs some work
Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2022 5:39 pm
by DavidBarkey
MattA wrote: ↑Fri Dec 30, 2022 4:39 pm
Eugen wrote: ↑Fri Dec 30, 2022 9:27 am
@MattA I'm assuming those are the excentric tightening bearings in the first picture? Did they seize and turned the shaft down from friction? What are you going to do about the shaft? With access to a lathe and welder you could add material and then turn it to size I suppose.
I think the bearings are eccentric like the snowcasters but I have not confirmed this. Neither bearing was seized. The bearing by the pulley? has a little vibration as you turn it. The gear side? is nice and smooth like new. The gear side bearing was missing 1 of 2 set screws. Its possible the bearings may not have been tightened down by the previous owner/factory.
The parts for the Berco are still available from Salempwr and Lawn care distributors. I got a quote from lawn care distributors at about 30% discount over Salempwr.
https://www.lawncaredistributors.com/parts/
Input shaft ~$22
Input shaft bearings ~$13 for both
Tensioner + the spring ~$9
Either shaft key $18
I'm debating buying the key that looks a little worn. Any feedback is appreciated...
Berco manuals are attached for anyone interested.
Buy key stock and make your own . YES replace them , just need a hack saw and bench grinder .
Salempwr was a little more expensive for the shaft , bearings and tensioner /spring . But what was there price on shaft keys . Does it balance out ?? They do , do a lot to help us with repairs .