Company Announcement - Bearings International, part of the Hudaco group of companies and a leading distributor of premium bearings and power-transmission products and equipment to Southern African industry, supplies the Dodge range of motorised torque arms.
 
The MTA mechanical drive range provides a heavy-duty solution for any bulk materials handling application that requires a shaft-mounted reducer. They are predominantly used in the quarrying and aggregate sectors but are equally at home in the coal, iron-ore, wood and sugar industries.

The Dodge brand has been synonymous with the best the industry has to offer for more than 125 years, according to Bearings International’s Bearings Manager, Ross Trevelyan. “This tried-and-tested product offers a host of important cost saving benefits and enjoys wide acceptance within our local market. The fact that the Dodge MTA units enable any brand of IEC B5 flange motor to be used with the reducers adds to the product’s popularity. We noted a steady increase in demand for the units over the past two years and in September 2014 the MTA range was extended, initially available in sizes 2, 4 and 6, to include sizes 3, 5, 7 and 8. This has enabled us to offer customers the complete MTA mechanical drive range from 1.5 kW to 75 kW, based on output speed and a service factor of 1.4”.

The Dodge range includes the traditional torque arm branded series (the belt driven Dodge Torque-Arm II shaft-mounted reducers) and the motorised MTA unit. The torque arm units, originally invented in 1946 and developed over time, are shaft mounted gear products and belt-driven with MTA motorised versions available. A key feature on both units is the exclusive, twin-tapered bushing. “This provides a sturdy, concentric grip of the driven shaft on both sides of the reducer which eliminates the excessive wobble and fretting corrosion normally associated with single-bushed shaft-mounted reducers,” explains Trevelyan.

Dodge’s bushings are fully split to completely grip the driven shaft and according to Trevelyan, fitment and removal of the bushings are simple processes. He clarifies: “The bushing is drawn inward as the bushing screws are tightened, wedging itself firmly against the shaft. The bushing is easily removed by simply removing the mounting screws and inserting them into the threaded holes in the bushing flange and turning them against the backing plate. They act as jacking screws and draw the bushing out, allowing for the reducer to be removed without the need for pullers.”

Dodge’s bushings are manufactured from ductile iron for shock resistance. The units are equipped with taper roller bearings providing an average minimum bearing life span of 25 000 hours which is compliant with the American Gear Manufacturers Association standards.

“The Dodge MTAs offer solutions for all industries and we have invested in substantial stock to service the local market’s diverse applications. Supported by our country-wide branch network and fully trained product specialists, we can supply the complete Dodge range of MTAs,” concludes Trevelyan.