Slipping clutch Hurth HBW50

[richarda]

My gearbox, a Hurth HBW 50 on a Beta BD722, has developed a nasty habit of not fully engaging. The problem seems to be clutch related and fixes itself after about ten or fifteen minutes of motoring but it is disconcerting to hear the engine changing revs as the load varies and worrying that there is damage occuring deep inside.

The ATF fluid is clear, the control cables seem loose enough and the problem seems to cure itself after a while and until next time the motor is run.

What is happening here? I've tried to adjust the cable so that the lever moves to its maximum extent (more than the 30mm specified in the owner's manual) but that results in reverse not being able to be engaged at all.

Has anybody out there experienced a similar problem?

 

[MIKE_MCKIE]

Not had any probs with mine, however the first port of call is Beta themselves. Ever since I first enquired about replacing my old engine with a Beta I can say they are vastly experienced & have been unfailingly helpful with any queries that I have had. Now had the engine 4 years & although still low hours it has not faltered once.
Beta tel:-01453-835282
Best of luck
Mike

 

[dickh]

I also had this on my old boat - Peram M50 with a Hurth g/box. I rebuilt it with new discs, couldn't find anything obviously wrong, and it worked finer afterwards. Not worth it if you have to get it rebuilt professionally, cheaper to buy a new box. I used ASAP Supplies for all the bits and pieces - about half the price of the Hurth spares.

 

[richarda]

Thanks. I had an suspicion that a replacement box would be the answer. I will be interesed to take the old box apart to see if I can see what went wrong after only 350 hours (although nearly seven years)

Some of the US based forums have postings about Hurth boxes and similar slipping problems so I imagine that it is not completely unknown. Some say that keeping the box in forward under sail is the cause (and the owner's manual does caution against this) but there is also a nasty rumour that the HBW 50 is a bit undersized for 20 HP

 

[richarda]

I will contact them on Monday

 

[richarda]

I'm not too good at this....I meant to let Mike McKie know that I would contact Beta on Monday