Thoughts on gear reducers?

G

gear junkie

New member
Been looking at pressure washer and either see belt driven or direct drive...not much word on the gear reducers. Any particular disadvantage to them?
 
Gear reducers are better than direct drive unit they are easier on the pump and turn them at the lower rpm like a belt drive unit does. The biggest disadvantage you get from them is the key. If the unit does not have a hardened key it should be taken apart annually to inspect or replace the key so it does not shear. Beyond that they just leak a little gear lube sometimes...
 
We used to love them,
now, for some reason, (probably workmanship,)
the oil seals can be a P I T A.
..and if the pump cavitates for any reason, especially on drain jetters..
you will EAT engine shafts almost as badly as full speeed direct drive.
Stick with BELT DRIVE..
Long Term Low Cost.. is not about "cheap" purchse price.
If you drive a Yugo.. never mind.
LOL
 
Is the pump to engine alingment difficult to maintain?

Jerry, can you educate me on the engine shaft going out...didn't know this...and direct drive pumps are bad on engine shafts?

Paul you mentioned the key. Got the down low from Udor on their key stock but why won't keys be sheared with belt drive....is it because the belt will break before key?
 
Pump alignment on direct drive is tight.
The problem is, as the engine makes "pulsating Hp",
and the pump is making "pulsating Pressure"..
between the two if a whole lot of stress on the shaft, and/or shaft key..
I personally would prefer to throw away a worn out shaft key every 12 months,
..to NOT have to "rebuild " the shaft "key-way" on the motor every year and a half.
We charge $50 to $75 to fix those shafts.
belt drive has a very efficient "pulsation-Dampening" effect,
So, belt drive is your best insurance to Long-Term-Low-Cost.. aka.. True Reliability

Class dismissed. :{)
 
ah ha, great explanation. Never heard this before but appearantly there's a whole lot on pw that I haven't heard. So the gear reducer allows the transmision of pulsating pressure between the engine shaft and pump? Very interesting. My question on pump alingment was pertaining to belt drive. I know that they pump and motor has to be aligned and any little shift can throw throw this off. Is this hard to maintain? One of my friends is a car restorer and puts 1/8 roll pins in the door hinge plate to maintain alingment ....maybe something like this can be done as well?
 
You could always just take the drive down to San Diego and let Jerry modify it for you. He can convert it to belt drive and he will do it right with the belts all properly aligned and make it easy to change them out. He has everything to do it right in his shop while you're there and it most likely wouldn't take him that long to do it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top