No Time To Waste! Protect Your Machinery With Tension Bushings

In the waste management industry, machinery often endures intense stress and frequent impact in extremely harsh, rugged environments. Equipment that operates under these conditions requires robust, long-lasting components to protect expensive mechanisms, minimize downtime, and extend machinery life.

One of these critical and protective components is the tension bushing. Here’s why tension bushings are so essential and how Vogelsang guarantees high quality and superior service to support your application needs.

Tension Bushings Save Costs, Add Value

In the waste management sector, equipment such as compactors, sorting machines, vehicles, and recycling equipment is continuously exposed to punishing environments and heavy loads. These conditions cause extreme wear on pivot points and joints, which can result in frequent maintenance, costly replacements, and potential downtime.

Tension bushings–sometimes called split bushings, expansion bushings, self-adjusting bushings, hydraulic end bushings, or attachment point bushings–are cylindrical components with a full-length, longitudinal slot, which allows them to compress or expand upon installation into a bore.

Their unique design adds superior protective qualities that are particularly valuable in demanding environments, offering cost savings and mitigating many issues that waste management applications face.

• They reduce downtime: With a static load rating of 125,000 pounds min, and a circumference speed up to 192 inches a minute, they protect the bore hole and shaft against damage at every load-bearing point, minimizing operational disruptions and downtime.
• They extend the operational life of machinery: By absorbing shock and minimizing wear on pivot points, tension bushings help machinery components withstand repeated high-stress use. This keeps machines operational for longer, enhancing equipment longevity.
• They lower warranty costs: By decreasing wear-related failures, tension bushings reduce the number of warranty claims, helping manufacturers maintain warranty standards and control costs.
• They save on replacement costs: Durable, high-quality tension bushings reduce wear on surrounding parts, leading to fewer replacements over time. This saves on both part and labor costs.
• They’re easy to replace: With their self-locking, split design, tension bushings are simple to install and replace in the field without extensive disassembly. They do not require special tooling or freezing, and they can easily be removed with a hammer and drift pin, making maintenance faster and less costly.
• They’re made for harsh environments: Made from high-quality thru-hardened spring steel, our split seam bushings offer high elasticity and wear resistance, making them ideal for high-impact applications in heavy-duty environments like waste management.

And More!

Tension bushings excel at joints and pivot points in boom arms, rear loading and side arms, hydraulic ends for trash compaction, in dump trucks to protect the doors and back gate, and at any moving point that comes under load, where they allow for controlled rotation while absorbing stress and minimizing wear.

But there are even more, less obvious benefits of using our split seam, thru-hardened tension bushings that can impact your choice to incorporate them into your equipment design.

• They increase the amount of “wear time” between changing existing bushings. Thru-hardened materials exhibit enhanced wear resistance when subjected to abrasion, impact, and continuous use. Unlike case-hardened bushings, thru-hardened components will last longer and wear down less frequently.
• They improve safety. By preventing wear and tear on critical pivot points, tension bushings help avoid unexpected breakdowns, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries caused by machinery failure.
• They reduce environmental impact. Waste management companies are increasingly focused on sustainability. By extending machinery life and reducing the need for replacement parts, tension bushings help waste management firms meet eco-friendly operational goals, contributing to reduced resource consumption.

Unique Features And Options

Hardened bushings are built to endure non-lubricated environments but can be customized with internal and external grease grooves and holes for applications requiring lubrication. These features can be added after production on a small run, which gives you the flexibility of receiving parts quickly, or as part of the production process on large runs for an even more economical component.

Oversized bushings are available as custom orders, and press-fit bushings can be provided for applications needing tighter OD and ID tolerances. Upon request, we also offer custom lengths for our hardened bushings.

Your Bushings, Your Way

Tension bushings play a vital role in the waste management industry. As waste management facilities aim for improved efficiency, reduced costs, and sustainable practices, tension bushings stand out as a valuable asset.

Vogelsang understands that incorporating these durable components is vital to the productivity and operations of waste management companies.

We offer highly competitive pricing, making it more affordable than ever to access the parts you need.

Our streamlined ordering process ensures you receive the parts you need quickly and effortlessly.

We will collaborate with you to create a purchasing plan that suits your needs, whether through a blanket order, release order, letter of intent, or commitment letter. Our priority is delivering products to you quickly and efficiently.

With around 100 standard sizes in stock, ranging from ¾ to 3 ½ inches OD in inch sizes, and from M14 to M200 OD in metric, we’re equipped to meet the demands of your application, and we take pride in offering high-quality products and outstanding service.

Reach out to a Vogelsang representative to explore how we can support your waste management applications. Call (800) 526-2376 or connect with us online—our product specialists and engineers are ready to assist you.