Ever heard of a Drive Saver?

M

mrsrobinson

Well-Known Member
Mar 9, 2006
7,704
Virginia
Boat Info
2001 380DA
Engines
Caterpillar 3126
I recently purchased a prop puller. It worked great on a friends boat but not on ours. There is not enough room behind our prop hub to slip the puller behind it.

I emailed the place I purchased it from asking for another solution. They suggested grinding the metal down to make it fit, which I would prefer to not do, or purchase a Drive Saver:

http://www.getaprop.com/content-product_info/product_id-1426/drivesaver_504.html

I checked out the link. Has anyone ever heard of this before? Does it really help your drive train? How will this give me more room at the prop, by extending the shaft out?

Just curious......
 
I'm with you.....grinding things is rarely a good solution when you are applying significant pressure to it.

Here is an interesting article on the drivesaver:

http://boatdiesel.com/BDR/Forums/Thread.cfm?CFAPP=14&Thread_ID=24509

The original problem you are trying to solve is the prop puller. I remember following that thread a few weeks ago...which one did you end up with? I use the Pro-Pull PPF-118 which is built for the tight clearance you have.


http://www.ram-mount.com/propull/propull_removal_tools_detail.htm#ppf118

The other concern I have is effectively inserting a 1" spacer will move the shaft out. This will place the prop closer to the rudder making it more difficult to get the prop off.

-John
 
Last edited:
mrsrobinson said:
I purchased this one:

http://www.getaprop.com/content-product_info/product_id-1239/pro_pull_103.html

Friend used it on his 4 bladed props, Wellcraft boat, props popped in less than 5 minutes each with no hitting behind the hub required. Everyone who saw the thing was impressed. Has no value to me though if it will not fit behind the hub on our props.
Click to expand...

How much clearance is needed? 0.030" or 1"?

If it's a small amount, grinding may not be a bad approach. The website specifies that clearancing may be required. I mean if you decided to duplicate that puller for your application, in effect it would just be same puller but clearanced for that hub.

Do you have 5/8" clearance between the hub? If so, maybe PF-118 might work.

http://www.ram-mount.com/propull/propull_removal_tools_detail.htm

Doug
 
Unfortunately I do not know the distance between the back of the hub and the strut and will not know until we need to pull the boat again.

I guess i could swim under and measure, but in this water, I will pass, plus I doubt if I could even see it. I was buying the puller to have available for the next time.
 
The propull 103 is a great puller as well. You might want to give ProPull a call to see if there is a shaft end thickness difference between the 103 and the 118. At least that would answer whether another ProPull puller would work better.

I also recall that you have had the props pulled before. What type of puller did they use?

-John
 
The mechanic used a home grown puller contraption that he said was a pain and took a while. I helped him last week and his puller mess of a thing was a royal PITB. My goal is to have my on puller so 1) I do not have to pay someone to do it and can do it on my time, not theirs and 2) for emergencies
 
I was hoping for a better answer :)

I agree with you about having a puller and a spare set of props available. It makes life a lot simpler and a lot less frustrating. In 2007, I went through 2 sets of props due to an overabundance of "Potomac alligators" that year. For some reason the hillbillys on the northern part of the river think its a great idea to dump cut trees and stumps in the river. By the time it reaches DC the stuff is waterlogged and floats at the surface or just below.

I'm lucky if all it does is bang up a prop. Having your own puller means you have the choice of putting on the scuba gear and changing them or having it hauled.

-John
 
Got the info:

The ProPull 103 needs 3/4" between the hub and the strut
The ProPull 118 neets 5/8" between the hub and the strut

I have not had a boat with 1.25 to 1.50 inch shafts that the ProPull 118 didn't fit.

-John
 
At the risk of sounding like a know it all, the 118 does not look to have a lot of 'beef' compared to the one I purchased. Will it really pull a 4 bladed 17 X 16 1 1/4" shaft prop?
 
I live in Oakton, Virginia. If you want to borrow it....you are welcome to. I haven't had a prop I couldn't pull with it.......well there was at least one time I had to use heat on a Bayliner with it ;)

-John
 
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