6 Common Mistakes Made with Flexible Shaft Couplings

Flexible shaft couplings are fairly inexpensive and they are relatively simple to install and maintain. However, they often fail prematurely and that can be frustrating in your operation. In many cases, flexible shaft coupling failure is a matter of user error.
 
Here are six of the most common mistakes made with flexible shaft couplings:
 

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1. Misalignment Between Shafts
   The great thing about flexible shaft couplings is that they are designed to allow for some misalignment and flex between adjoining shafts. However, alignment is still important when installing these couplings. If you ignore the alignment or let it get too significant, it will ultimately cause problems.

2. Selecting the Wrong Type of Coupling
   There are many different types of flexible shaft couplings out there and they are designed for different applications and configurations. Cortech Engineering can help you select the proper coupling for your equipment and for your application.

3. Waiting Too Long to Select Coupling
   Unfortunately, many operators make their coupling decisions late in the game or a flexible shaft coupling is selected because there is some misalignment in the plant construction. Selecting and configuring a coupling solution should be part of the design planning from the start to ensure optimal performance.

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4. Insufficient Maintenance
   Just like any piece of equipment, the coupling requires regular maintenance. It needs to be cleaned, lubricated, realigned and tightened as part of a standard operational maintenance plan.

5. Not Enough Lubrication
   The right type of lubrication must be used and the adequate amount should be applied and maintained. Check the manufacturer&#;s lubricant specifications and follow them properly.

6. Lack of Communication
   Anyone using the equipment or working with the flexible shaft coupling in any way should be well-informed. All maintenance procedures and installation processes should be clearly communicated and followed to avoid the risk of failure.

 
When you use the right flexible shaft couplings and take care of them properly, you will reduce the risk of failure and help keep your plant running strong. To get the right couplings for your application, contact Cortech Engineering today for the best product selection and engineering guidance.

nwboater,
First of all whoever did the install needs to be held accountable.

You wrote "The rear motor mounts are already maxed out at their lowest point and still the engine needs to come down a tad more."

Did the installer tell you this installation was not possible? Or has the installer told you to take a hike? Seems if they did their job correctly and told you it wouldn't fit you wouldn't have this problem. Was it their incompetence or did you tell them to install it anyway?

Seems to me the only proper fix is to;

A. Find mounts that allow lower adjustment and remove some ballast.
B. Modify the oil pan and get lower mounts.
C. Cut down your engine beds.
D. Fabricate new engine mount flanges that lower the engine using the original mounts.
E. a combination of the above.

I have plastic engine mounts in Willy and perhaps due to the way the're made they may permit lower engine installation. The mounts I have are from Poly Flex. They are made in Australia but available to you right across the border in lower mainland BC.

And all should be done free to you if they did this and presented their work as good. This isn't North Island is it? I hope I never find my boat in this yard.

Removing that amount of ballast will not be difficult but of course the engine will need to be "moved". I had all the ballast in the Lazerette removed from our boat.

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