Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/326847
L ast issue, we discussed how to remove the conditioner to make changing the bearings easier. Now, we'll explain how to change the horizontal auger bearings in the conditioner. How do you know when to change the bearings? While performing your daily circle check, looking at the horizontal auger for movement will help determine the answer to this question. If there is any up or down movement on either side of the auger, then the bearings will need to be changed. Changing them every three years as a rule of thumb will help prevent them from going out completely and causing damage to the shaft of the auger. As most managers find out the hard way, it's much cheaper to buy a set of bearings than it is an auger. These bearings are constantly covered in ice and water during their life. This water washes out the grease that helps keep them lubricated. The collecting snow also leaves behind dirt from the ice surface that will find its way into these bearings. Noise is another factor in determining how well the bearings are doing. If the machine is very noisy when the augers are turned on, it's a sign of wear. When the augers are turned on during the circle check (I know every operator reading this is doing a proper circle check to start their shift), the noise being emitted from the augers should not be excessive. Most times after a bearing change is done to the augers, even the patrons of the rink will comment "What happened to the Zamboni? We can't hear it running now." This definitely means the bearings were let go for too long. These photographs will take us through a horizontal bearing change on an older Zamboni-brand machine. Newer Zamboni-brand machines have the horizontal bearings now located outside of the conditioner box, making them easier to change. They last longer due to the fact that they do not run in the snow and water as before. The horizontal bearing change on an Olympia-brand machine is very similar with only a few minor differences. HORIZONTAL BEARINGS ON CONDITIONER – ZAMBONI 1. Remove the conditioner to make this job much easier. 2. Remove the sprocket on the auger shaft. 3. Loosen the set screws and lock collars on the bearings (some bearings have separate lock collars with set screws and some bearings just have set screws and no lock collars). 34 / MAY.JUNE.2014 RINKMAGAZINE.COM Changing the Ice Resurfacer Horizontal Auger Bearings RINK PHOTOS by DAVE WESCOTT, CIT, CPE HOW To Ice Resurfacer Auger Bearings New bearing. Extremely worn bearing. , Use a pipe to drive on new bearings without damaging them.