was this a bad idea?

[kevinecwi]

Using a hydraulic pump coupler for a generator. After less than 20 hours the rubber is starting to separate.


 

[retired farmer]

It better not, I put one of those on my bobcat pump and I don't plan on replacing it in twenty hours if I ever get it running again.
 

[Dalet]

I had that problem with the spider getting wrecked on a Grasshopper mower a few years back. There is an alignment issue. It isn't perfect, there isn't much room for error with them.
 

[marloweg]

get your self two chain sprockets and us a double roller chain to couple it that way if it is a little out of line it will not hurt anything. Massey Harris used it on tractor for years and it is cheep
 

[Rollie NE PA]

Looks like a alignment issue. I believe there are different grades of rubber spiders also.
 

[Redturbo]

I looked into "lovejoy" couplers for a project. Max 1 degree is all it will tolerate. Guessing thats your issue.
 

[JOB]

Love joy is one of the most forgiving coupling on the market. As others have said you have an alignment issue. You will not only wear out the coupling, you will do damage to the piece being driven. You need to re-engineer how you have both pieces mounted. Normally on a larger piece of equipment the motor is shimmed up, and shifted from side to side to get alignment.
 

[JeffNWOH]

I would have to assume that there is some sort of mount under the back end of that genny that we can't see. If not, I'd say that is your problem.
 

[Russ from MN]

If it is sized right and properly aligned it should run a long time. We used many of them in the paper mill.
 

[kevinecwi]

Yes, there is one bolt in the back of the generator. It is hard to see in pic but I used a shim under the front mounting holes to get better alignment.
 

[DiyDave]

Take the Question to lovejoy direct.
lovejoy link

 

[wisbaker]

Definitely an alignment problem. Dodge para-flex are more forgiving for alignment. Lovejoys and Woods not so much
 

[RusselAZ]

How many RPM is that running? Spiders don't like over 1800. You can make them last longer by putting some silicone dielectric grease on them when they aren't aligned perfect. You will be better served with a coupler that looks like a bellows when assembled. Best would be a belt drive.
 

[Stick welding]

The coupling probably isn't rated for the RPM or the HP you have. There are other types of couplers that would work better. Belt drive is no good unless the generator is rated for side load on the shaft. Inline like you have is better.
 

[kevinecwi]

Thanks for all the feedback fellas. I'm not going to rule out the alignment issue but I really feal like I got it within tolerance. If I slowly pull the engine over I can not hear any noise (binding) coming from the coupler.
For time being I'm going to try a new spider as they are rather inexspensive and lube it with dielectric grease and see how long it lasts.
Thanks again to everyone who replied and posted links.