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Collection, Preservation and Display of Old Lawn Mowers

CLAW COUPLING NEEDS REPLACING ON RIDE ON MOWER

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Good day everybody, My very late 1960’s ride on mower requires a replacement “claw Coupling” which connects the engine to the hydraulic pump.

The original coupling was a Multiflex No. 3 with two jaws on each coupling.

 

* The input coupling boss is machined to fit a 1”shaft -   with a  ¼ x 1/8” key-way.

* The output coupling boss end is connected to a Dowty OP hydraulic pump shaft diameter is 13.45mm; so guessing;- 17/32” with ¼” key-way.

Not evident in the photographs; the couplings are 50mm in diameter  x 70mm  when assembled.

It is the input end that is damaged, if I could get a replacement  Multiflex no. 3    bored out 1" or undersize it would save buying (and altering) the original setup.

Failing this I am aware of new couplings and may have to replace the complete coupling.

I have looked online and see no reference to Multiflex couplings (You get a dentist’s drill component when googling this!) But other very similar makes available.

Any help with the supply or locating of a Multiflex No. 3 coupling boss would be most apreciated!

Forums

Clive1962 Sun, 14/06/2020

Ever curious.. I just had to have a search and tried a hyphen in Multi-flex and this found some results away from dentistry..but didn't find that actual brand name..

C.

Mowing Wurzel Sun, 14/06/2020

Thank you both for replying with excellent advise and repartee.

Very good of you to send the link to simply bearings, I had only briefly browsed on the popular auction site; and  had missed this!

I was hoping somebody might have been familiar with the couplings made by Multiflex, but  mindful  it is not fitted to a mass production  machine; nor strictly speaking a mower!

Or curious if they were fitted to other machines in the grass care world;-  e.g. Ransomes  commercial ride on's.

 

The original coupling is alloy, with a centre steel  boss pressed and retained by dowels; The original 1" end which failed was bored out past the steel bush.

 

So looking at the charts would need to go to an L090 coupling, which is better as 6 mm shorter than the original with three claws per boss.

I had expected to go down the route of purchasing all new  couplings.  I have contacted suppliers who can machine out; as I haven't got any broaching tools.

 

wristpin Sun, 14/06/2020

I know that the old JPs, now Dennis FT machines use a similar coupling and as I found out a while ago, the original insert  is no longer available and it had to be a whole new coupling. Not sure that you need to find a shop with broaching kit .  Man in a shed with a lathe  and a bit of nous could deal with it.

 

 

Mowing Wurzel Fri, 19/06/2020

I have bought a  Lovejoy L950 three jaw coupling      (hopefully it won't be a fake Russian icon)

The supplier is machining it and doing the broaching.

The "man in the shed"  was my Dad, who used to file out keyway's  ......it is too fiddly for me to do, so got a professional to do.

Will soon find out next week the outcome!

 

Mowing Wurzel Thu, 25/06/2020

Thank goodness!....  I am happy to report the coupling is  fine, although didn't come with the four Grub Screws!