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7.? General Introduction
Some general information of determining the correct
component interface.
7.1 Shaft Selection
An acceptable mounting of our pumps to the
customer drive as well as the mounting to our pump
auxiliary drive pads is a number one priority in order
to assure the required life expectancy is achieved
for the system. Product technical bulletins will
usually list several shaft configurations for any unit
selected. The three common types of shaft
configurations are tapered, straight keyed, and
splined. A brief description of each is documented
below.
Tapered Shaft:
A tapered shaft joint will generally have the highest
torque carrying capacity for the same shaft diameter
and is recommended for applications
where radial side loads are present.
This is due primarily to the nature of
this joint with the mating component. The torsional
strength of the shaft material is the limiting factor for
this type of shaft. The main torque carrying portion
of the joint is the interface between the two
surfaces. When the mating coupling is tightened to
the shaft with the nut on the threaded portion of the
shaft, a press fit joint is formed. The press fit
produces a joint where there is no relative motion
between the shaft and the coupling, making this type
of shaft an ideal choice for applications involving
side loads. Side loads can produce undesirable
relative motion in loosely coupled joints, leading to
premature wear and possible failure. Proper
tightening of the shaft nut is essential to the
formation of an effective joint. Dimensional
accuracy of the mating taper is also very important
to ensure an even distribution of the load acting on
the shaft.
Historically, a keyway in the shaft and cotter pin in
the nut provided additional assurance. More
recently, this joint design has been offered with only
a nylon insert style locking nut with good results.
Straight Keyed Shaft:
A straight keyed shaft, when properly applied, can
provide as much torque carrying capacity as a
tapered shaft and can withstand a
moderate amount of radial loading. A
good fit between the shaft and the
coupling, usually a shrink fit, will provide enough
torque capacity at the joint that the limiting factor
becomes the torsional strength of the shaft material.
A slip fit between the shaft and the mating coupling
places all the torque on the key. This will lower the
torque capacity of the joint. A large clearance
between the shaft and the mating coupling may
cause the key to roll in the keyway, leading to wear
and premature failure. With a tight fit and no
relative movement between the shaft and the
coupling, this type of joint can carry the load
including side loads.
Splined Shaft: Through Shafts?
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The most common option is the splined shaft end shaft splines are generally alloy carbon steels
because of its capability of transmitting large
amounts of torque. However, they are limited to
applications where radial loading is small. Torque
capacity of a splined shaft is usually limited by one hardened to 55 HRc at the surface. Mating

of two factors. With a properly lubricated and couplings should have a minimum surface

aligned joint, the torsional strength of the shaft most hardness of 45 HRc to help minimize wear.

likely will be the limiting factor. In some cases,

however, the limiting factor for torque carrying Lubrication: Spline lubrication is readily achieved if

capacity is spline tooth wear. Spline tooth wear is the spline is submerged in oil or if it has "splash"

caused by surface compressive stresses between lubrication, as found in most gear drives. Pump

the mating teeth of the shaft and the coupling. A input and motor output spline wear can usually be

variety of factors can affect tooth wear. Some controlled when properly applied. These splines

important considerations to take into account when are often exposed to the elements and

using a splined shaft are listed below. maintaining proper lubrication can be a problem.
Spline wear caused by fretting corrosion is usually

Alignment: Proper alignment is essential to due to inadequate lubrication and is characterized

achieve acceptable life. The shaft spline should by a red dust-like deposit in the splined joint.

ideally be aligned to its mating coupling spline Conditions that lead to this type of wear are: small

within .004 TIR for best life. Bending under load relative motion between the mating splines,

will affect the alignment. The class of fit localized loading, insufficient lubrication and the

determines how much misalignment can be presence of oxygen at the joint. Controlling

tolerated without becoming a problem. fretting corrosion by stopping relative motion is

usually not practical. Keeping contact stresses

Engagement: The recommended amount of spline below 5000 psi, when splines are poorly

engagement should be equal to or greater than lubricated, helps to reduce wear, but many drives

the spline outside diameter. have higher contact stresses than 5000 psi.
Trying to keep these stresses below 5000 psi is

Coupling Type: Coupling selection is important if generally not practical. The best way to help

necessary in the driving of the hydraulic unit. prevent spline wear is accomplished with proper

Flexible or rigid couplings each have their place. lubrication. Applying a lubricant to the splined

Consult your coupling manufacturer for suitable joint, when not running in flooded oil or if splashed

coupling selection. Sauer-Sundstrand customer oil is not possible, reduces friction and restricts the

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presence of oxygen. A recommended spline Proper attention to the factors influencing

lubricant is a 50/50 compound of a high acceptable life such as alignment, torque capacity
temperature grease and a molybdenum disulfide and lubrication with regular maintenance will pay
powder. When applied initially and reapplied at dividends in providing a longer life.
proper maintenance intervals, it will help prevent
fretting corrosion and premature wear. This
lubricant is not soluble in oil and should be used
according to the manufacturer’s
recommendations.

Shaft Mating Splines

Sauer-Sundstrand produces splined shafts with a
modified Class 5 Fillet Root Side Fit. This
modification reduces the dimensions of the external
spline Major Diameter and Circular Tooth Thickness
and assures a clearance fit with the customer end
mating splines. Customer supplied mating splines
should be in accordance with ANSI B92.1 Class 5.

Shaft Loading:
Sauer-Sundstrand pumps and motors are designed
to accept a limited amount of external radial and
thrust loading. Any amount of load over this limit
may reduce the expected bearing life. A tapered
input shaft is recommended for applications where
radial shaft loads are present. For belt drive
applications, a spring loaded belt tensioning device
or an overhung load adapter can further reduce the
impact of external loading. A splined shaft is not
designed for radial loading and therefore is not
recommended for side load applications.

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