Split Clipper® Oil Seals have the same superior characteristics as solid general purpose Clipper Oil Seals, but are factory-split at one place in the circumference. This permits installation over the side of a shaft, rather than over the end, and often can save dismantling the equipment in order to replace the existing rotary shaft seal.
Solid Clipper Oil Seals should be used whenever practical to provide maximum bearing protection in rotating shaft applications. However, installing a solid seal in a failed application can be costly and time consuming. In such cases, Split Clipper Oil Seals can be used to minimize unscheduled downtime, specifically where equipment cannot be uncoupled. These seals will provide long and efficient service until major or scheduled machine overhaul permits convenient installation of a regular non-split seal.
Split Clipper Oil Seals are available in Series R, RPD and RUP profiles, depending upon shaft diameter. RUP and RPD profiles are general purpose spring loaded with a single lip and are widely used as replacement seals because they provide superior bearing protection and embody a unique principle of design. The tough, dense outer case and a soft, flexible lip are concentrically molded as a single unit. The seal's nonmetallic outer case forms a leak-free, press fit in the housing, conforming to minor surface irregularities.
Split Clipper rotary shaft oil seals provide excellent retention of grease and light oil splash. Some weepage in oil splash applications may occur.
Advantages of the Split Clipper Oil Seal include:
- Saves costly down time
- Speedy repairs
- Easy installation – no special tools required
- No backup plates required
- Corrosion-resistant case reduces bore surface seizing
- Stainless steel coil garter spring helps keep split junction tight and compensates for minor shaft irregularities
- Flat lip contact design compensates for minor split-end misalignment
Split (R Series) Clipper Seal Installation
Below are the general steps needed to install a Split (R Series) Clipper Seal. These guidelines should be followed when planning to install split seals.
The video to the right, put together by our partners at Parker Hannifin, also outlines what a split clipper seal installation looks like.
- Clean the equipment cavity recess area thoroughly. Remove all burrs and sharp corners. Provide adequate lead-in chamfers.
- Apply light grease or oil coating to the shaft area where the lip will engage. Do not apply grease or oil to seal OD or equipment bore surface.
- Separate the cut ends of the seal sideways so that seal forms a helix. Do not try to form the seal into a “U” shape. Separate ends far enough so that the seal can be slipped over the shaft.
- Insert the garter spring over the shaft, between the seal and the bore cavity, connecting the ends of the spring with the hook-and-eye connectors. Insert the garter spring into the lip carrier groove with the connection at least 45° from the split juncture. Push the seal toward the bore cavity until it touches, making sure that the split ends are well aligned and positioned at 12 o’clock.
- Start inserting the seal into the cavity with the split juncture at top, compressing the OD slightly, until the split juncture has been inserted to about one-third of its width. Continue pressing the balance of the seal into the cavity, working away from the split, until the entire seal has been started into the cavity recess. Tap evenly around the back face of the seal with a soft-faced mallet until it is completely seated.
- Use a flat plate tool that will drive the seal flush with the housing to ensure seal is installed square and perpendicular to the shaft.
The original content can be found on Parker's website here. GFS is an authorized distributor for Parker Hannifin.
For more information about Clipper Oil Seals, contact Gallagher Fluid Seals today.