Ball bearing issue

[LTB]

Hi everybody !

Tonight after six batches, I heard a strange noise, never heard it, coming from the back of the Huky.
And I figured that :

(see attached file)

Is the plastic thing around the ball bearing getting out ? Should I push it back ? Should I change the ball bearing ? And if, is that a regular one, or should I ask M. Lee ?

Thanks !

[edtbjon]

Even though it looks "plastic" I think it's cheramic too. ... and yes, do push it back! (The reason for it moving is that the steel of the bearing holder expands more than the bearing. Just check that the bearing does still have all the balls in it. Else you will need a new bearing. (The easiest way in that case is to order one (or a set of two) from Mr. Li. He will send it in a normal envelope and you will have it within a week after payment.)

[SusanJoM]

Here is some information from Mr. Li and a picture

https://www.hukyforum.com/index.php/topic,261.msg2514.html#msg2514

[LTB]

Thanks for the quick replies !

I was able to push back the ceramic ring once the Huky cooled, and I will check if some ball is missing. Hope not.
I will definitly order some spare things to M. Li, I think, like spare thermocouples, ball bearings, etc...

nice day to you

L.

[edtbjon]

Thanks for the quick replies !

I was able to push back the ceramic ring once the Huky cooled, and I will check if some ball is missing. Hope not.
I will definitly order some spare things to M. Li, I think, like spare thermocouples, ball bearings, etc...

nice day to you

L.

Well, I did order spare ball bearings, but still havn't found any use for them (after two years...). Though small, they dont carry that much load so they are not subject to excessive wear. What's important though, is to maintain them. There are (old) threads on that very subject, but in short, take the roaster apart every few hundred roasts or so, clean and grease the bearings.
It's also important to wipe off the excess and grease the bearings every 10-20 roasts or so... Don't forget that there's a bearing in the back of the drum too.

But the next time I order anything from Mr. Li I will indeed include a couple of spare thermocouplers. These things can break and once they do, you don't have any means to measure e.g. the BT value unless you have something to replace it with. (Well, if the BT TC stops working, the first thing I'd do is to replace the MET over to the BT position...)