Idler Gear

11/2007 I am currently out of Bronze Idlers

Mac McQuaid is proof you can put a good many hours on an Indian Listeroid gear train. The gear in his engine must be made of a proper cast because it has been doing the job for a good many hours now.  Fact is, that Ashwamegh, Vidhata, and some other brands have used gears made out of junk cast at times. I mention these two brands because I have personally been part of the root cause analysis study of gear train failures in their engines, and at least one of the factors is the poor metal the idler was made from in nearly all cases. In the case of Ashwamegh, the first thing the company did was blame the owners of these engines, and claim they must be doing something really wrong!   You may read elsewhere that a particular vendor's engine uses the same gears Rolls Royce orders, (or similar) but it is just a sign that some of the used car salesmen of the world are now peddling Indian goods!

Ashwamegh's Lack of concern, and lack of support has caused us to look hard at QC, and build relationships with those who will be there when we have trouble like this. This is the reason for the PS brand and a lot of research into vendors and parts. If the vendor fails to meet expectations, we find the better vendor, and ask tat it be built to our spec.  

How do we recognize that India sent us a junk cast idler gear? fact is, I'm not sure the assemblers have a clue of what they are buying either, so maybe we have to move on to a more recognizable material?

We have purchased some bronze gears that should provide a long service life unless other things are seriously wrong. If you have an Ashwamegh twin, I am suggesting you change out the idler! I will send you a new one for shipping and handling of $10.

You need to forward the fact that you bought it from Joel or myself in email.

We had these gears sample checked by an American outfit, and they say all is as it should be. If you find it cheaper elsewhere, and think it's as good, buy it! If you are looking for a gear to display, add $100, and we'll look for the really pretty ones.

All the best,

George