BUSHING, TERMINAL

560 167 51 BUSHING, TERMINAL Installed in the feed system, this bushing serves as a guide and bearing surface for the moving drifter cradle. Its primary job is to allow the drifter to travel along the feed beam with minimal friction while maintaining the correct alignment to the rock face. It absorbs the operational loads and provides a sacrificial surface, protecting more expensive structural parts from wear.

The condition of these bushings directly impacts drilling accuracy and the service life of other components. As they wear, excessive play develops in the feed cradle, making it difficult to collar a hole accurately and causing the drill string to vibrate. This misalignment not only slows down penetration but also puts significant side-loading on drill steel, bits, and the drifter's rotation unit.

Check for wear by attempting to move the drifter cradle side-to-side on the feed beam when the machine is safely shut down; any significant 'slop' indicates worn bushings. Regular greasing helps extend their life, but they should be replaced as soon as excessive play is found to prevent damage to the feed beam itself.