T20 Band Differences

[Dirtdobber]

I have no idea.  Manufacturing error perhaps.

[ascaw]

That's odd, I wonder what happened to cause your bands to all be longer by the same amount?

[Dirtdobber]

I did a quick comparison and they were at least 3/4" shorter than my "long" ones.  I also compared both sets of bands looking for some manufacturing difference, and there was none.  The eyelets were welded on with the two stamp marks in the metal.  The band width and thickness were the same.  The only difference was the length.

[ascaw]

Excellent.  Did you by chance compare the two sets to each other? 

[Dirtdobber]

Update - I received a set of worn bands from a fellow 6x6'er and they measured to be just fine.  Got them relined, reassembled the T20 and the plungers are recessed in the case as they should be.  I'm good to go when I get it all back together.

[ascaw]

Thanks, that is good info to know.

[Dirtdobber]

Ascaw I did measure my drums and they were within a few thousandths of spec, so they are good.  But you are right, a little off the diameter can make a big difference.  I did the calculations based on the band wrapping around the drum 2.75 times.  If I could have added just 0.060 to the band lining, or 0.120 to the drums with a sleeve, it would have taken up the slack.

So, for those out there that may need to turn a drum, if you took 0.015 off (which is .030 off the diameter), you effectively lengthen your band by 1/4 inch, meaning your plungers stick out by an additional 1/4 inch.

[ascaw]

Good deal.  Hopefully it will also give you an idea as to why your bands are long.

Did you by chance check the circumference of your drums?  If they had been turned, even slightly, I wonder how much of a difference it would make as the bands wrap around them three times.

[Dirtdobber]

I won't.  Actually, since my last post I've had a fellow 6x6'er offer to give me a set of old bands that I can have relined.  I assume they will measure out correctly and if so, I will have them relined and run them instead of shortening my "long" bands.

[superfox]

Just don’t trash your drums

[Dirtdobber]

So, here's what I know so far.  The best explanation anyone has come up with is that I have a set of bands that was simply manufactured wrong.  I talked with Transmission Crafters, and they can't put a lining on the band thick enough to take up the difference.  They are presently lined with with .040 material, and it would need to be .100 material, which won't work due to cracking, sheer, etc.  Plus they don't have anything that thick.

I haven't talked to Richard Clark, as I see no reason to at this point since I can't reline my long bands.  So, I'm going to shorten the bands and run them.  If they break I have nothing to lose but a little time, a T20 gasket and fluid, and hurt pride when a quad or side by side has to tow me.  Then, I will have to buy a set of bands.

[ascaw]

Nice machine.  I hope the issue is an easy fix and not too costly.  Keep us posted.

[Dirtdobber]

Here's my machine, powered by a 22 horse Yanmar diesel (if I can figure out how to post a pic).

[Dirtdobber]

"who knows what was done to it before you acquired it"

Ain't that the truth.  The guy I bought it from said he had rebuilt everything.  When I opened the transmission it was bone dry.  I mean not just "out of oil", it was still dry from having been taken apart and put back together.  Fortunately he didn't run the machine and nothing was hurt.  It still had the grease holding the thrust washers in place.

[ascaw]

The reason I asked about the drums being turned and not having bands to match is because I bought 4 new bands and when I put them in 1 band was about an inch too short.  I called Richard and he said it seemed that I got a band that was for a turned drum so he sent me another one that was correct and I sent him the short one back.  When you said they were about an inch too long that made me think about the short one I had received and what Richard told me.  Since this was a project machine who knows what was done to it before you acquired it.