Northwest 25 Swing Clutch

[bloomlake]

My 25 won't hardly swing to the right anymore. I've tried adjusting, but it doesn't seem to get any better.
Anybody have any ideas on what to look for? And maybe know how to get the clutch blocks out? It looks painfull!

Thanks, Paul

[stampmaint1]

I don't consider myself as a expert, but I do own a couple of draglines myself. One link-belt and a bantam c-350. On those I had the same trouble. Both had to do with the brake shoes. Adjustment is critical to their operation. Oil on them will hinder preformance as well. You should be able to get service manuals from Jensales. They have reprints for just about anything. You can use some "band-aid" fixes like shaking scouring power inside the drum to help the brakes grab, but you will sooner or later have to reline them and possibly turn the drums. A service manual can give you lots of information on adjustment and disassembly. Good Luck!

[stampmaint1]

Hey just one more thought, I used the word brake in my reply. Proper terminoligy could be clutch. Anyhow they are associated with the swing drive shaft. Sure look like brakes to me but the book calles them clutches.

[bloomlake]

Thanks for the feedback. Yea, I'm no expert either. I do have an manual, but it's mostly a parts manual. there is no "service" manual that I know of.

Hmm, scouring power as a quick fix? Hey that might work, I just need a few minutes of run time on the lift ,to yank my dredge out for the winter. I agree about the re-line, I hate band-aid fixes.

I did notice a bit of grease on the inside 1/8 of the lift clutch. And it does look like a brake band, just inside out!

The swing clutches on the NW25 looks like car brake drums, with shoes that taper. I can't see how to get the shoes out of the drum without pulling the shaft, and that looks pretty ugly.

Thanks again!

Paul

[stampmaint1]

Hey Paul;

I checked with Jensales and they only had the parts manual for you NW 25. I'm pretty sure you can remove the clutch/brake shoes without pulling the shaft. The ones I have worked on at least came out after just disassembling them. They just about have to. On mine I had to take the adjusters and springs out then the shoes basicly fell out. You may want to keep track of what shoe went were in case they are different sizes. The worst part about mine were that they were in a difficult spot to get to. Other than that it really wasn't all that bad. I would first make sure you have exhausted all efforts to adjust them. If one side is set up too tight it wont let the other side grab as well. Are your shoes completly inside the drum? On one of my Bantams the drum was shot and was letting the shoes walk out and get worn with a taper. The shoes should be 100 % inside of the drum. Good Luck!

[pierce]

I have a 25 and a 4 you should be able to back the adjustment clear out and pull the friction face back and unbolt the blocks. I have a book for the 25 and will look tommorow but I am almost positive they can be removed with minimum work, at least that is the way they are on the 4

[martinf]

The swing clutches can be tricky to adjust, but unless there''s absolutely no friction material left, you should be able to do that to get at least a bit of swing (espepcially if you'reswinging with the machine unloaded). You didn't say whether your 25 is air or manual controls. If it's air, make sure first off that the air cylinder is operating the clutch correctly as that's often times the problem.
If you need to re-line, you DEFINATELY can do this without taking out the shaft, as that would be a headache of the highest order.

There are several NW experts who visit this site that could walk you thru this proceedure with their eyes closed. If they don't chime in here, email me and I'll send you a private email with their addresses (if you get really stuck and can't get this fixed).

I've got a NW41 and seems like clutches is something I've just had to get real good at dealing with. Be glad you're not talking about the clutches way down in the transfer case....

~martin

[bloomlake]

Thanks guys for all of the replies. I'm down for the winter, but I'll be back at it when the weather warms up a touch. It sounds like it might not be as bad as I thought!

Happy Holidays!
Paul
pkeberly@bloomlakefarms.com