Southern Pride gear box

[Slo Smoked Mo Better]

I have a Southern Pride smoker that I use at my restaurant business and the gear box has went out on me. The Southern Pride folks want $1000 for a new one, and I'm wondering if anyone has any knowledge of another source for a gear box that will work? I'm thinking there has to be an aftermarket gear box, but I would like to hear from someone that has some experience with it. Please help!

[BBQMAN]

Check with Granger SSMB.

Do you have a part # manufacturer listed?

More often than not they have the numbers listed on the side of the unit.

Getting one of the proper RPM/torque rating will be key as well as shaft size for the gearing.

I've never looked at the mechanism for the drive so I'm not familiar with exactly what you are working with.
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[watchado]

I deal with this kind of thing all the time with my work. Get me some numbers from the ID tag on the gear box and I'll make some calls.
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[Tony]

[Tony]

Also...



Are you sure the gearbox itself failed?

The drive motor and complete electrical system should be diagnosed.

It could be as simple as a limit switch, fuse/circuit breaker or motor relay failure - or - as you put it ...the gearbox "goin' out on 'ya."

Is the gearbox chain driven by a remote motor or is it a direct coupled unit?

No sense going any further down the troubleshooting ladder unless we know what type of drive mechanism 'Ya got.

Get back to us with the particulars...Maybe you'll save a few bucks.

(Sounds like 'ya might want to save a few bucks anyhow.)

Jus' tryin' to help a friend in need.

Best Regards,

Tony

[BluDawg]

Any machine shop would be able to make you all the new gears probably for less.
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[seattlepitboss]

I would most certainly spend a few bucks trying to diagnose and fix your gearbox before simply replacing it.

Remove it.
Clean the outside.
Open it & drain the oil into a container.
Are there metal shavings/flecks in the old oil?
Y: look carefully at the gears and shaft, looking for a mechanical fix
N: clean with solvent & blow out and replace cover
Apply electrical power to motor leads - does the thing turn?
Y: go backwards up electrical wiring, looking for failure
N: does the motor have brushes?
Y: inspect/replace as needed

.. and like that.

seattlepitboss

[Tony]

[Jet_deck]

Here is the picture from the southern pride website on how to replace the gearbox. Its just a typical right angle speed reducer. You really only need to know the input and output shaft size, and the output ratio. That being said, I suggest you go ahead and pay the $1,000 for what they have in stock. Reason #1 It is probably has a food grade surface and can be washed down. #2 If you do find another one, and it is a different brand, the bolt pattern on the bottom is going to be different, and judging from the other pictures the output shaft on the back is pretty short (not standard) #3 Three months from now when this thing quits again (crap happens) who ever you bought it from is not going to warranty it because it was placed in a severe duty area (the heat). So spend the $1,000 and get back to cooking. Sorry, just my opinion.
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[Tony]

So Then...




Does the motor run?



Best Regards,

Tony

[Capt Chrysler]

Stay away from the Corba gear boxes. Took 3 to get one that was good.


Started to switch them over to a Browning gear box. Start at Grainger the let google.com help you.


Capt. Chrysler

[daddywoofdawg]

If it's the motor not turning you can pick a a replacement from grainger;if it's the gears box open it up very carefully and see if it as simple as a shered cotter pin.Hard to belive the whole gearbox would go out unless there is more to how it happened then just cooking and quit.
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[oldnndway]

That is a right angle, worm-gear drive speed reducer.
It will have a brass gear in it that is driven by a steel worm gear.
It's not unusual for the brass gear to wear down over time and eventually strip out some teeth.
If you get with a "good" counterman at a bearing / power transmission distributor they should be able to get you fixed up (or close enough to get the pit running again)
Just from the picture, it doesn't look very large and should cost lots less than $1,000.00.

If you can determine the ratio, shaft sizes, center heights, foot mount bolt spacing etc it shouldn't be too hard to find with W.W. Grainger (as mentioned above) or a similar company
There's a lot of standardization in that industry.

Good advice above about the ambient temperatures ... the factory reducer may come with high temp / food gade lube, food grade paint etc so there may be some value to buying O.E.M.

[Tony]

[Slo Smoked Mo Better]

Yes, the motor does run. Problem with the gear box is that the gears are worn out to the point that they are stripped. I'm going to take the gear box to Granger and see if they can match one up for me...I'll get back on what I find out. Thanks for all you help. Thank God I have an Ole Hickory at the raunt too or I would be down and out.

[Tony]

[QObsession]

I like what Tony said. After you buy a new gear box have the old one rebuilt.
It should cost a great deal less cash and you have a backup or you could sell it and get some cash back.
The manufacture of the gear box may sell you replacement gears.
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[Capt Chrysler]

About 1/2 of the gear boxes today have zero replacement parts. I have 2 cobra ones resting in a box, as I try to piece one back togeather for a spare/backup.

I have 4 running 24/7 and have found the the input shaft seal likes to leak and drain the oil into the Elc. motor. (Motor mounted under the gear box) When there in enough in the motor to leak out the gear box is trashed. We had to redo ours so the motor is up. gain on the box life is 6 months and counting.


Grainger is a good starting point then search the net for the best deal.


I think www.automationdirect.com has them now.

Capt. Chrysler

[1MoreFord]

If you have a Motion Industries, or Applied Industrial Technologies nearby, try them. They are power transmission distributors and normally have better trained gearbox specialists than Granger's does.
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[BBQMAN]

As a former machine builder (and prospective rotisserie owner) I'm interetsed in how you made out with the replacement?

Something to be said for synthetic gear lube as well for the new unit.
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