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NEW PART BULLETIN:
INTRODUCING THE BIMETALLIC FRICTION DISC
The design of the friction discs for the Mitsubishi
bulldozers and track loaders has gone through changes over the decades. We just made
another change to reduce bonding, and increase reliability, strength, and longevity of
your steering clutch. This improvement also increased the coefficient of friction
for the steering clutches by 3%.
The earlier BD2C, BD2D, BD2E, and BD2F (ALSO BS3
LOADER SERIES) had steering clutch friction discs with riveted on linings, then bonded
linings and they were then replaced by the fiber discs which we now produce.
Beginning with the BD2G/BS3G models and carried on through the BD2H/BS3H AND BD2J/BS3J
models the friction discs were all fiber. These discs all interchanged with the
earlier models.
Six (6) friction discs 58831-24600 or
55331-03200 (Early fiber disc p/n was 58131-12500) are used per clutch and Six (6) of the
steel separator plates 58131-12600 or 58131-12602 are also used when replacing all
discs. These quantities remain the same when
upgrading to the bimetallic friction discs.
Unless you regularly work your Mitsubishi dozer or loader and get the steering clutches
warmed up, moisture will accumulate in the clutch compartments and the friction discs will
begin to bond to the steel plates.....PERIOD! If you try to wash out the clutches to
free them up you are looking for trouble. The fibers will absorb the solvent, swell,
and create a stack height that can not be released. This also weakens the teeth on
the fiber friction discs resulting in the self destruction of the discs.
If you had the early style, steel toothed friction discs, with riveted on linings the
clutch discs would still seize. If you have the all-fiber discs they also bonded to
each other and seized up the clutch, resulting in broken teeth that ball up inside the
brake drum.
The new bimetallic friction discs will not absorb moisture. The new discs will
create a clutch pack where, if some sticking does occur, the bond is weak and can often
free up by themselves. The new bimetallic friction discs will also allow you to wash
out your clutches without disc damage or weakening the discs.
Nothing will solve poor maintenance or neglect but this style of clutch will go far in
keeping your clutches from self destruction, broken teeth, and you from continually
fighting frozen and seized clutches. You should still continue to work your machine
on a regular basis but this clutch will be more forgiving to your lapses. Time can
go by pretty fast and you suddenly realize the machine has sat idle for months.
We are not new to this. We have also made these same changes to the steering
clutches in Allis Chalmers HD3, HD4, and 650 series of crawler dozers and loaders.
Besides Allis Chalmers, the improvements made to the clutch packs of the Massey 200, 200B,
154, 244 and 2244 crawlers now using bimetallic friction discs has become the standard and
used world wide.
If you have ever repaired your Mitsubishi steering clutches, or paid to have them
repaired, you can already imagine the advantages and value that these newer discs will
provide. Upgrading your steering clutches will more than pay for itself with
increased reliability, longevity, and strength.
CLICK HERE TO
ORDER YOUR NEW STEERING CLUTCH PARTS
CLICK HERE FOR TABLE OF ALL OF OUR STEERING CLUTCH AND
TRANSMISSION DISCS |
for orders or
questions.
