What Is Propeller Drop and How to measure propeller drop?

5/11/20, 10:01 AM

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What Is Propeller Drop and How to

measure propeller drop?
Mahmoud Moghtaderi Follow
12 1 1
Chief Engineer Officer

⦁ The propeller shaft in the aft peak tank is provided with inboard and outboard seals.
⦁ These seals contain nitrile rubber or viton lip seal, which seals against the cast iron propeller shaft.
⦁ After a few years it creates grooves on them and naturally looses sealing and sea water easily find its
way inside. This reduces the lubrication effect and creates wear in the bronze liner. Now there is
enough clearance the shaft will come down by certain amount because of propeller weight.

⦁ This drop in propeller shaft is termed as propeller drop.

How measure propeller drop?
⦁ This propeller drop is measured using poker gauge.

The poker gauge supplied when the vessel is new should always been used. This is normally supplied
in a box, with the critical dimensions recorded inside. The actual distance measured is less important
than the change in distance. This can only be determined acurately by using the same tool everytime.
Actual bearing clearance will depend upon shaft diameter, lubrication type (oil/water) bearing material
(white metal/synthetic or Lignum Vitae), and loading. Bearing wear is very rare when looked after
correctly, although a water lubricated bearing will be subject to wear particularly when operated in
sandy water.
Dependant on the factors mentioned above and Class requirements the maximum bearing clearance

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What Is Propeller Drop and How to measure propeller drop? 5/11/20, 10:01 AM

will vary. Oil lubricated bearings will have a maximum recommended by the maker - controlled by
design limitations, stress, alignment and loading.
Water lubricated bearing (other than rubber) maximum clearances under ABS Classifications for
unrestricted service with machinery aft are as follows:
Shaft diameter equal to or less than 230mm (9") in diameter, maximum 4.8mm (0.19")
Shaft diameter greater than 230mm but less than or equal to 305mm (12"), maximum 6.4mm (0.25")
Shaft diameter greater than 305mm, maximum 8.0mm (0.31")
A water lubricated synthetic shaft bearing for a shaft diameter of 615mm (24") has a maximum
recommended clearance of 5.5mm, and an expected life of 20 years.
If the weardown is excessive then the stern tube bearing needs to be changed.
If grooves have been worn on the shaft liner from the stern tube seals, then the whole stern seal
assembly can be moved.
The liner is bolted to the back of the propellor boss, and the seals to the stern frame. Split seals have
been around for a few years, but split liners have never been successful, although the manufacturering
technology is getting better, Blohm & Voss make a split types liner which is said to work well.
A split liner means that it is not necessary to remove the propellor, for exchange.
The location of the seal can be moved away from the worn grooves by the addition of a spacer before
the forward most seal.

The reading is taken every dry dock and/or in-water survey in lieu of dry-docking and recorded. In
order to take the measurement, we need to have access through the rope guard. There are different
access plates (open/accessible, bolted, and welded).

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What Is Propeller Drop and How to measure propeller drop? 5/11/20, 10:01 AM

The clearance between the propeller shaft and the bearing should be measured during each In-water
Survey in lieu of dry docking. All measurements (top and bottom) should be taken according to IACS
standards.

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What Is Propeller Drop and How to measure propeller drop? 5/11/20, 10:01 AM

Propeller Drop Measurement Procedure;

1. Take Main Engine no.1 unit to TDC as it is a reference position to take reading.
2. Remove the rope guard.
3. Remove the drain plug from top and bottom.

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What Is Propeller Drop and How to measure propeller drop? 5/11/20, 10:01 AM

4. Fix the poker gauge at top and take the reading we will get bearing wear.
5. Fix the poker gauge at bottom and take the reading.
The actual distance measured is less important than the change in distance.

Published By

Mahmoud Moghtaderi Follow

Chief Engineer Officer

1 comment

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achi sewwanda 8mo

Trainee at Sri Lanka Ports Authority

Thank u sir
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