Pressure Lubrication - GO-DEVIL Surface Drive Operation Manual And Installation Manual

PRESSURE LUBRICATION

A pressure lubricator shown on the previous page is mounted on the upper end of the drive
tube and features a spring loaded piston which creates a small amount of grease pressure
inside the drive tube. This grease volume lubricates the prop shaft, lower bronze bushing, and
lower seals. During assembly the lubricator is intentionally oriented so that the factory grease
fitting is inaccessible. Lubricate ONLY the grease fitting mounted adjacent to the lubricator to
ensure that grease is fed into the drive tube and not just into the lubricator. Pumping grease
through this fitting will fill both the drive tube and the lubricator.
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Visually inspect the position of the lubricator piston before and after each use.
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The lubricator should be kept about ¾ full so that grease consumption can be easily monitored. The
lower drive system should use up very little or no grease at all when functioning properly.
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If the grease level does not seem to change after several hours of run time, pump grease into the
drive tube until the piston starts to rise. This ensures that the lubricator piston is not "stuck" and giving
a false impression that the tube is full. If the lubricator and drive tube are properly filled, the piston
should move upward after only a few pumps of grease.
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The lubricator cannot be damaged by over-lubricating the drive unit. The lubricator is designed so that
grease will expel from under the cap if over-filled.
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ATTENTION: The lubricator piston will not reach the bottom of the cup. When the piston is at
its lowest position, the visual grease column will be approximately 3/8" high. When the piston reaches
this level it will no longer supply grease to the tube. In order to insure proper lubrication, the piston
must be kept above this level at all times.
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IT IS THE CUSTOMER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO CHECK AND INSURE THAT THE LUBRICATOR IS
WORKING PROPERLY!! Remove and clean the lubricator yearly to ensure that it is working properly
and the piston is not stuck. If working properly, it should expel grease from the bottom hole when
removed.
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Do not clean the lubricator with a petroleum solvent such as gasoline, varsol, kerosene, thinner,
or carburetor cleaner. Petroleum solvents will destroy the plastic components. Wipe excess grease
with paper towels and clean components with mild dishwashing liquid.
SEAL AND BUSHING WEAR
As the lower and/or upper seals start to wear, the unit may start to consume more grease. It
may be time to replace the seals if the lubricator ever becomes empty after a normal operation
period or requires 10 pumps or more from the grease gun to fill on two occasions. DO NOT
DELAY THIS PROCEDURE!!! If the drive unit is run without grease, premature wear on the
prop shaft and lower bushing will occur and will elevate the cost of repair. The life of the lower
seals is determined by how the shaft is lubricated and how abrasive the material is that the
engine is run in, such as mud, sand, and silt. Under extensive or commercial use, especially in
brackish or salt water, the lower seals should be replaced annually.
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