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Pins & bushes, final drives for Kobelco SR30, Victoria, Australia

LRAT

Member
Joined
Jan 18, 2016
Messages
14
Location
Melbourne, Australia
Occupation
Technical trainer
I've got a 20 year old Kobelco SR30 which still performs well. However, the wear on pins and bushes becomes excessive and I will need to have them replaced.
I am looking for a reputable repairer here in Victoria, Australia and preferably around the Melbourne area who can do a good job at a reasonable price. I contacted the local Kobelco dealer but they would charge me more then what the machine is worth!
The final drives are very slow as well and they will need to be overhauled.
Can anyone recommend a local repairer here around Melbourne?

Personally I have plenty of experience in welding, using a lathe, etc. I also got my own workshop and hoist (4.5 tonnes), so, I might be looking in doing the job myself.
Can somebody tell me what type of steel I should use to make the pins and bushes? What's the tolerance on the pins and bushes? Are they easy to replace? Or do In need a line boring machine?
Are there complete kits of pins & bushes available for this machine?

Anyway, by now you've probably noticed that I want to do job at an affordable price as the machine is only used on a private property. The Yanmar engine and hydraulics are still as good as gold and I'm sure that, after doing the necessary repairs, this machine will continue to perform well for a very long time to come. It has only 3400 hours on the clock.
Many thanks for your advice upfront.
Luke
 

Chrisso

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2021
Messages
448
Location
Australia
Occupation
Diesel Mechanic
The final drives are very slow as well and they will need to be overhauled.
Google up Travel Motors Direct in QLD and give em a call. They mail to Vic (did for me anyway), prices good.

What pins/bushes are you referring to?
 

LRAT

Member
Joined
Jan 18, 2016
Messages
14
Location
Melbourne, Australia
Occupation
Technical trainer
Hi Chrisso and Welder Dave,

Thanks for the suggestions. To answer your question:

I am after all pins and bushes for the boom, dipper arm and bucket.

There's also a fair bit of slop in the main pivot pin of the boom.

I am either thinking of buying a lathe, so that I can make these pins and bushes myself, or buy a complete kit of arms and bushes for my machine. Whichever is the most economical.

I am not keen on spring bushings and pins. They might work but it feels like the wrong thing.

Thanks for your suggestions! Much appreciated.

Luke
 

Welder Dave

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2014
Messages
12,548
Location
Canada
Pins are the same regardless what type of bushings you use. They need to be harder material. It's not economical if you have to buy a lathe. If your holes are wallowed out too much will need welding up and line boring which is expensive. Split tension bushings don't require a perfectly round bore like standard bushings do. If you're really careful could manually weld and grind the holes close enough for split tension bushings. I used them on my swing post and had new pins made at a hyd. shop. They're easy to install and work great. I also used Loctite 660 to fill any gaps in the bore and help hold them in place.
 
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