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the problem of less than desirable alignment tolerances in the typical hydraulic steering system design. As most bear- ings in the steering system are greased sleeve type bushings, there is no allowance for vertical movement of the tiller pins. Misaligned steering gear causes bearings to wear out quickly, which in turn causes drag and burns fuel. The ThorPlas SAB allows the bearing to tolerate small angular misalignment resulting from deß ection or improper mounting. However, misalignment is not the only stress input on this type of product: vibration, corrosion, and pollution are also very damaging factors to the steering system. With the Thor- don bearing, the owner can lubricate, but doesnÕt have to. Thordon SXL is used in lower and upper bearing positions and pintles, as well as the thrust washer position. ThorPlas engineered, thermoplastic polymer, is recommended for the more highly loaded bushings in the tiller arm and Òjockey- barÓ linkages. Both products operate grease free, saving you time, money and the risk of pollution.DECK EQUIPMENT More familiar at or under the waterline, Thordon is moving into the deck equipment area in a much bigger way. The patented materials can be Þ tted to many deck Þ t-tings and davits Ð anywhere lubricant is required. In most cases you can Þ t and remove the need for lubricants. The use of Thordon effectively eliminates grease on deck and oily run off into waterways. THE BOTTOM LINE: YOURSWith more than 500 brown water and inland installa- tions in recent years alone, and 40,000 vessel years of expe- rience over the past 35 years, Thordon knows bearings Ð of all kinds. While at one time measurably more expensive, the cost of materials versus traditional methods is reach- ing equilibrium. Clearly beneÞ ting from a good price point between traditional lubricated solutions, Thordon is never- theless not selling on initial price; instead, on superior ma-terials and ultimately, ÒTotal Ownership Costs.Ó In some cases, a 10 to 12 year lifespan for bearings is not unusual. Finally, and in a world where every dollar counts, every barrel of fuel burned means a thinner bottom line and ev- ery inch of loadline lost to equipment weight amounts to permanent loss of deadweight capacity, the weight of Thor- don materials is appreciably lighter than traditional bearing materials. As owners and operators now turn to composite valves, pumps and piping, they can do the same thing with their stern tubes, steering gear and a host of other applica-tions. It turns out that getting greener could also produce more green for your bottom line, too. Who knew? www.marinelink.com MN June2013 Layout 32-42.indd 33MN June2013 Layout 32-42.indd 335/30/2013 11:10:04 AM5/30/2013 11:10:04 AM