WM debarker bearings

[cypresskayaksllc]

My debarker (direct drive) does not turn smooth anymore. It sounds like the bearing on the motor shaft is gone. Ive never worked on electric motors before. How hard is it to replace the bearing?

[customsawyer]

It might be the bearing down by the blade. I have had a couple of those go out.

[ladylake]

It's real easy to work o DC motors, not much to them.   Steve

[MartyParsons]

Hello,
I never replaced the bearing in the Lesson motor, the lower bearing  part # 023541 ( $ 31.82) is easily changed.
I find the mandrel set screws come loose from the motor quote often, so if you have not checked yours. Do so. You can not hear it rattle when the engine is running or when sawing.  It will wipe out the motor shaft, mandrel and key in a very short time. Not to sound silly, but check it with the switch turned off!
Hope this helps.
Marty

[Magicman]

That lower bearing has just run dry.  Give that bearing below the blade a good dose of 90 weight oil which should quieten it down.  It may take a day or so, but keep it wet.  Afterwards, give it a good squirt of ATF every morning when you do your pre-check.  I just fill that little cavity up.

[terrifictimbersllc]

If there's play when you rotate the blade back and forth with your hand it might just be the mandrel set screws like Marty says.

[cypresskayaksllc]

Today I had some real dirty logs. The debarker worked (somehow) but I knew I was buying time. When I got home I took it apart. Bearings were all good. This is what went wrong:
The black magnet around the copper is broke


I have no idea how it still worked with the magnet in pieces. I dont know a lot about motors. the most Ive ever done was the brushes.
How did this happen?

[cypresskayaksllc]

Also: How did the motor still work after having this magnet come to pieces? When I got the mill about 14 months ago the debarker would trip the breaker if I turned it on. Then It stopped tripping it. Maybe the pieces settled into a cozy spot. Its nice to finally find out what was wrong. Gotta call WM tomorrow for the part. I cant be without my debarker too long.  8)

[Magicman]

Your example is why troubles can not be diagnosed from the rocking chair.  Others can suggest what they have experienced, but to find and fix the problem that you have it takes doing exactly what you did.   

[eastberkshirecustoms]

Possibly enough crude got lodged in their over time that the rotor chipped away and broke the magnet or the magnet could have come un-bonded and was caught and broke during rotation. The motor would still work at a diminished capacity because there was still a partial magnetic field.