steel wedges, pulley removal, etc...

[Peter]

I found another useful tool while perusing the McMaster Carr catalog: steel tapered wedges. These were call flange splitters in McMaster Carr Catalog. Sold individually for 10 bucks each. I used 4 to remove a very stubborn pulley. I would images there are other applications for this very old concept tool. Used in pairs, is the key and they generate a great deal of force. I image you could make these, but for this reasonable price they are ready to go with proper hardness and taper.

[John Hanson]

Peter,
Last summer I had a drive pulley to move (alignment) on my crusher. I broke a 10 ton hydraulic puller, then a 25 ton mechanical puller trying to get it to budge...not to mention wearing out a hammer and using lots of heat. We were standing here wondering what to do, when I looked over and saw an old splitting wedge on the bench, so we gave that a try.... just like you said, we backed it with another "home made" wedge going the other way, and in no time we had the pulley moved!! Amazing how we tend to forget about the basics, when we're surrounded by all the new equipment!!
JH

[LundMachineWorks]

I could of gotten that key out in an hour. It took me two days to learn how. I have never had a situation that it didn't work. Sorry, trade secret.

[3/4 ADVANCE]

Jeff and all others; Without giving up any trade secrets, care to give input on this one? I purchased a flat belt pulley at a flea market at a show. The only bad part is that it came with other things attached. It is about 28" dia with a face about 8 1/2" and has curved spokes. It has a shaft about 5' long and roughly 2" dia. , mid shaft is a bevel gear. The other end of the shaft has a small pulley 5" or so and a solid flywheel inside the pulley. All I want to save / reuse is the big pulley. There are no set screws going thru the hub into the shaft. There is a keyway in the hub but nothing visible in the shaft. Any hot tips on how it's put together, what's in there for a key, and the best way to get it apart? I'm guessing that it came off a threshing machine. I'd like to put it on my little "Baker Fan" on the side opposite the 18" pulley I have on it for folks to be able to spin it a bit slower. THANX, Lee