Thordon Bearings, Inc.

RiverTough offers increased resilience compared to rubber bearings offering easier alignment and less edge loading (installation at 3:1 vs. 4:1 L/D ratio). Thordon RiverTough bearings can be installed using an interference freeze fit or bonded in place using a Thordon-approved adhesive. Interference fit is often recommended for new build installations where the housing bore is consistent and concentric. Bonding is often the best option for repair installations where the housing bore may not be ideal.

• Wear rates in muddy water are half that of rubber bearings - or less

• Increased resilience offers easy alignment (3:1 L/D ratio)

• Easy Installation

• Eliminates stick-slip and vibration when operating at lower shaft speeds

• Proven - Hundreds of inland and coastal waterways references

• Zero to low maintenance

The Thordon TG100 is a mechanical seal designed specifically for 86mm (3.375") to 305mm (12") shaft vessels operating in either clean or abrasive-laden waters including workboats, harbor tugs, offshore supply vessels, yachts, ferries, fishing trawlers and self-propelled dredgers. Manufactured to the same exacting standards as our high performing range of Thordon Bearings, the TG100 seals use the highest quality, hard wearing silicon carbide faces and our proprietary elastomeric polymers to offer the best combination of strength/stiffness and flexibility/elasticity.

• Unlimited shelf life on elastomeric bellows
• Unique emergency seal allows stand-alone operation to get you back to port without damaging the seal
• Elastomeric bellows accept axial/radial shaft movement and compensate for alignment issues
• Manufactured for long wear life and reduced maintenance costs
• Wedge "lock" design ensures the rotary face is perfectly square with the shaft
• Hydraulically balanced to accommodate various drafts
• Single supplier for bearings and seals

• Long Wear Life.
• Self-Lubricating material. No grease required.
• Operates in both dry and wet environments.

When a non-corroding pin or shaft liner is included as part of the conversion as recommended, ThorPlas-Blue does not require greasing to ensure smooth operation. The lubricants formulated throughout the homogenous ThorPlas-Blue polymer matrix ensure a low, stable coefficient of friction, even as the bearing wears. In applications where movement is infrequent and there is significant exposure to salt water spray, if space permits, high performance Thorseal lip seals can be considered to prevent the ingress of seawater and possible buildup of salt deposits in the bearing. Wear rates are very low compared to greased bronze ensuring long life and dramatically reduced maintenance costs.

A Thordon solution has also been developed for the live end of a hydraulic steering system. The ThorPlas-Blue Self Aligning Bearing (SAB) solves the problem of less than desirable alignment tolerances in the hydraulic steering system design.  As most bearings in the steering system are greased sleeve type bushings, there is no allowance for vertical movement of the tiller pins. The ThorPlas-Blue SAB allows the bearing to tolerate small angular misalignment resulting from deflection or improper mounting. The bearing can also handle other damaging factors such as vibration, corrosion, and pollution.

Reliability, long wear life and superior customer service have made Thordon the first choice in pollution free rudder bearing applications for over 25 years with an impressive reference list of over 4000 vessels.

With a worldwide distribution network Thordon rudder bearings can be delivered fast to any ship repair facility in the world.

Thordon SXL rudder bearings offer low friction, operating pressures up to 12 N/mm2 (1740 psi) and the complete elimination of grease and greasing systems removing any risk of pollution. Thordon SXL can also withstand high shock loads and edge loading.

In addition to SXL pintle, stock and carrier disc bearings, SXL TRAXL or ThorPlas, can be specified grease free in steering and linkage applications, as well as fin stabilizers. In workboat applications, ThorPlas is recommended for the more highly loaded bushings in the tiller arm and "jockey-bar" linkages. Both products operate grease free saving you time, money, and the risk of pollution.

Thordon self lubricating rudder stock seals provide exceptional wear life, completing the rudder bearing package.