McConnel PA gearbox

[Cheesehead]

I was wondering if it was ok to run our new gearbox with the breather on the side by rotating in 90° anti-clockwise as otherwise when the boom pivots the first time I knock something it is going to hit the pump. Our old seized gearbox sat 90° around to the new one but had a port on the top for the breather (if any of that makes sense)?

I just wanted to check as I don't particularly fancy destroy this one especially as the last one has lasted around 40 years.

 

[Dave W]

There's usually 4 plugs on those gearboxes, one on every edge. Just move the breather to the highest plug.
Don't run it with breather on the side unless you want a pool of gear oil on floor

 

[Cheesehead]

I can only see plugs on three sides with two on the left side in the photo one on top with the breather and one on the bottom but nothing on the right.

 

[Mursal]

No you'll need the breather on the top. I'm afraid.
Or at least above oil level, if that's any help

As a last resort you could try a right angle bend and a length of gun barrel pipe with the breather at the same level as it would be if fitted on the top.

 

[Cheesehead]

No you'll need the breather on the top. I'm afraid.
Or at least above oil level, if that's any help

As a last resort you could try a right angle bend and a length of gun barrel pipe with the breather at the same level as it would be if fitted on the top.

Thank you I think that might be the easiest way

 

[Mursal]

Unless there is a land (heavy part in the casing) on your new gearbox top surface, you could consider drilling for the breather.
To be honest I'm not sure if the side extension will work, I think it will depend on oil level.

Nothing is easy .........

 

[Cheesehead]

Unless there is a land (heavy part in the casing) on your new gearbox top surface, you could consider drilling for the breather.
To be honest I'm not sure if the side extension will work, I think it will depend on oil level.

Nothing is easy .........

I don't know it's certainly seems easy to screw up

There are two undrilled lands on that side of the casting so I have a feeling if the engineer we use when we it can't or haven't got the time or tools to fix something I see a 3/8 tap and drills in my future.

 

[Mursal]

Grease on the drill / tap would never get you away, it probably needs stripping.