What Type of Bearing Puller Should I Use?
Bearing pullers are an effective tool for removing bearings, pulleys, gears, and other components from a shaft or recess. However, not just any puller can be used to fit the job. Choosing the right tool is crucial for keeping yourself safe and your machinery working at its best.
What Is a Bearing Puller?
A bearing puller is a tool which removes a bearing and other components through mechanical force. Pullers come in a variety of types, but they all usually work by clamping tightly in or around the bearing that needs to be removed. Adjustable claws on the tool grip the component and are combined with a screw to pull it securely from the surrounding machinery.
Why Use a Bearing Puller?
Bearing pullers are an excellent tool for removing parts that cannot be taken off manually. The adjustable jaws allow for a strong hold on components which may be smooth on all edges to reduce friction. Pullers are effective for any securely fit component and they are especially helpful for removing broken or stuck parts. These tools are specially designed to dismount parts from a shaft or recess without damaging the surrounding material. For heavy duty machinery, hydraulically assisted pullers can also be used, reducing the amount of manual effort.
Bearing Puller Types
Pullers come in two main types: external and internal.
External pullers are used when a component is mounted on a shaft. On these pullers, jaws grip around the outer diameter of a component. In the center, a forcing screw pushes firmly against the shaft so that when it is turned, the screw forces the jaws back, freeing the component. In addition to mechanical force, external bearing pullers can be assisted by hydraulics.
Internal pullers are used when a bearing or component is fitted into a recess with an opening in the inner diameter. Rather than clamping around a component, the jaws of an internal puller are placed in the hollow center of the component where they push outward, gripping through expansion from the inside.
Reversible bearing pullers can also be used. These pullers can be adjusted to grip from either the inner or outer diameter, making them ideal for use on machinery with bearings that are fitted in both shafts and recesses.
How to Decide What to Use?
There are several important factors to consider when choosing which bearing puller to use. You’ll first need to establish whether you need an internal or external puller.
If the component you are removing is mounted on a shaft with free space around the diameter, you will need to use an external puller. The clamps on an external puller are designed to fit around the outer edge of a component and free it from a shaft that is fitted through the center. This is the most common type of puller. However, if the component is fitted in a recess with space only in the interior of the bearing, you will need to use an internal puller. The expandable jaws can make use of the available space and pull the stuck component from the recess.
External pullers can be assisted by hydraulics or be simply mechanical for general use. If you are dealing with heavy machinery, you may consider using a hydraulically assisted puller to reduce overall manual effort.
You will also need to consider the amount of space surrounding the component. This includes the diameter and depth of the bearing, along with the available space around it. Some bearing pullers will require more space than others to be effective.
Buying a Bearing Puller
Bearing pullers are an effective tool for removing tightly fitted components with minimal effort required. These specialist tools can dismantle a wide range of parts quickly and safely. When choosing a bearing puller, it is important to find a tool that is reliable, genuine, and right for the job. Aerospace Store, owned and operated by ASAP Semiconductor, provides a huge inventory of aircraft parts from top manufacturers such as Boeing, Airbus, and Cessna. We carry a variety of bearing removers that are new, used, and obsolete, and all listed items are available for purchase today. If you wish to buy items that are currently listed on our database, we invite you to begin the purchasing process today by filling out and submitting an instant RFQ.
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