Planer: Won't Feed
If your planer won't feed, use our guide to walk you through the DIY repair process with ease. The most common parts related to this symptom are the sprocket, chain, retaining ring, bushing, and roller. Once you have checked these parts for signs of damage and you are confident you have identified the part that requires a repair, our experts have provided easy-to-follow instructions to assist you in getting your planer back to working order as quickly as possible.
Chains
The chains drive the feed rollers by riding on sprockets mounted onto the feed roller shafts. A broken chain cannot transmit power to the feed roller. To replace the chain, remove the side cover and the gear box cover, followed by the broken chain. Take out the retaining clips that supports the sprockets on the feed rollers and remove the sprockets. Install the sprockets into the new chain. Reassemble the sprockets and chain assembly back onto the shafts, making sure you align the keyways. The hubs on the sprockets must face in. Reinstall the retaining clips, followed by the gear box cover and side panel.
The chains drive the feed rollers by riding on sprockets mounted onto the feed roller shafts. A broken chain cannot transmit power to the feed roller. To replace the chain, remove the side cover and the gear box cover, followed by the broken chain. Take out the retaining clips that supports the sprockets on the feed rollers and remove the sprockets. Install the sprockets into the new chain. Reassemble the sprockets and chain assembly back onto the shafts, making sure you align the keyways. The hubs on the sprockets must face in. Reinstall the retaining clips, followed by the gear box cover and side panel.
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Bushings
Bushing are metal linings for a round hold, which an axle revolves. They act like a bearing – over time, they will wear out and impact the performance of the feed rollers. The feed roller have bushings located on either side of their shafts. Repair procedures will vary on all models, but will be similar.
To replace worn bushings, remove the side cover and the gear box cover. Remove the retaining rings on the feed roller shafts, securing the sprockets in place. Remove any spacers on the rollers. Raise the cutter head to the top and lay the planer on its side. Take out the retaining brackets on the feed rollers, being cautious not to cut yourself on the blade while you are working around it. Locate behind the rollers bushings, are springs that keep pressure on the rollers. Remove the rollers slowly, so the springs stay in place. Remove...
To replace worn bushings, remove the side cover and the gear box cover. Remove the retaining rings on the feed roller shafts, securing the sprockets in place. Remove any spacers on the rollers. Raise the cutter head to the top and lay the planer on its side. Take out the retaining brackets on the feed rollers, being cautious not to cut yourself on the blade while you are working around it. Locate behind the rollers bushings, are springs that keep pressure on the rollers. Remove the rollers slowly, so the springs stay in place. Remove...
Bushing are metal linings for a round hold, which an axle revolves. They act like a bearing – over time, they will wear out and impact the performance of the feed rollers. The feed roller have bushings located on either side of their shafts. Repair procedures will vary on all models, but will be similar.
To replace worn bushings, remove the side cover and the gear box cover. Remove the retaining rings on the feed roller shafts, securing the sprockets in place. Remove any spacers on the rollers. Raise the cutter head to the top and lay the planer on its side. Take out the retaining brackets on the feed rollers, being cautious not to cut yourself on the blade while you are working around it. Locate behind the rollers bushings, are springs that keep pressure on the rollers. Remove the rollers slowly, so the springs stay in place. Remove the bushings and inspect them for wear. With the bushings on the roller, you can check them for any signs of play. Replace if you notice any signs of wear.
When installing bushings, note that the planer has wider bushings in one direction than the other. The wider part of the bushing should be up and down, allowing the bushing to fit tightly inside the planer.
Reinstall the brackets. One of the brackets may have elongated holes – this bracket attaches to the opposite end of the chain and sprockets. Keep pressure on the roller, pushed against the end as you fasten down the first bracket. The second bracket should be tight against the bushing, with no play.
Reinstall the spacer on the rollers shaft. Insert the sprockets inside the chain. Sprocket hubs always face towards the planer. Install on one feed roller, then the second, making sure to align the keyways and then slide it back all of the way. Reinstall the retaining rings, the gear box cover and side covers.
To replace worn bushings, remove the side cover and the gear box cover. Remove the retaining rings on the feed roller shafts, securing the sprockets in place. Remove any spacers on the rollers. Raise the cutter head to the top and lay the planer on its side. Take out the retaining brackets on the feed rollers, being cautious not to cut yourself on the blade while you are working around it. Locate behind the rollers bushings, are springs that keep pressure on the rollers. Remove the rollers slowly, so the springs stay in place. Remove the bushings and inspect them for wear. With the bushings on the roller, you can check them for any signs of play. Replace if you notice any signs of wear.
When installing bushings, note that the planer has wider bushings in one direction than the other. The wider part of the bushing should be up and down, allowing the bushing to fit tightly inside the planer.
Reinstall the brackets. One of the brackets may have elongated holes – this bracket attaches to the opposite end of the chain and sprockets. Keep pressure on the roller, pushed against the end as you fasten down the first bracket. The second bracket should be tight against the bushing, with no play.
Reinstall the spacer on the rollers shaft. Insert the sprockets inside the chain. Sprocket hubs always face towards the planer. Install on one feed roller, then the second, making sure to align the keyways and then slide it back all of the way. Reinstall the retaining rings, the gear box cover and side covers.
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Sprockets
The sprockets are located on the feed roller shafts, driven by a chain. A damaged, or broken, sprocket can stop the feed rollers from turning. To check and replace a sprocket, remove the side panel and gear box cover. Examine the sprockets for damage, such as broken off teeth or a broken keyway in the sprocket (some sprockets are machined with the keyway in them). To replace the sprocket, remove the retaining rings and pull the sprockets and chain off together. Replace the damaged sprockets and install into the chain. Reinstall back onto the shafts, making sure to align the keyways. The sprockets hub always faces the planer. Reinstall the gear box cover and then the side cover.
The sprockets are located on the feed roller shafts, driven by a chain. A damaged, or broken, sprocket can stop the feed rollers from turning. To check and replace a sprocket, remove the side panel and gear box cover. Examine the sprockets for damage, such as broken off teeth or a broken keyway in the sprocket (some sprockets are machined with the keyway in them). To replace the sprocket, remove the retaining rings and pull the sprockets and chain off together. Replace the damaged sprockets and install into the chain. Reinstall back onto the shafts, making sure to align the keyways. The sprockets hub always faces the planer. Reinstall the gear box cover and then the side cover.
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Rollers
Coating is designed to grip the wood and feed it through the planer. Damaged, or worn out, coating on the rollers will prevent the wood from doing so. The coating will wear out over time, and with use, as it is a normal wear item. To inspect the rollers, raise the cutter head all of the way to the top, then tip the planer on its side. Examine your rollers coating for wear and replace if necessary.
The coating will also not grip if it is being used, or stored, in cold conditions. Warming up the rollers will activate the gripping action of the coating. To replace a worn feed rollers, remove the side panel and gear box cover. Take out the retaining rings on the feed rollers shafts and pull the sprockets and chains free from the planer. Remove the spacer on the roller shaft. With the planer on...
The coating will also not grip if it is being used, or stored, in cold conditions. Warming up the rollers will activate the gripping action of the coating. To replace a worn feed rollers, remove the side panel and gear box cover. Take out the retaining rings on the feed rollers shafts and pull the sprockets and chains free from the planer. Remove the spacer on the roller shaft. With the planer on...
Coating is designed to grip the wood and feed it through the planer. Damaged, or worn out, coating on the rollers will prevent the wood from doing so. The coating will wear out over time, and with use, as it is a normal wear item. To inspect the rollers, raise the cutter head all of the way to the top, then tip the planer on its side. Examine your rollers coating for wear and replace if necessary.
The coating will also not grip if it is being used, or stored, in cold conditions. Warming up the rollers will activate the gripping action of the coating. To replace a worn feed rollers, remove the side panel and gear box cover. Take out the retaining rings on the feed rollers shafts and pull the sprockets and chains free from the planer. Remove the spacer on the roller shaft. With the planer on its side, remove the retaining brackets on the roller. There are springs located underneath the bushings, keeping pressure on the rollers.
Gently remove the rollers, allowing the springs to stay in place. Now, remove the bushings from the end of the roller shaft and transfer them onto the new roller. The planer bushings are wider in one direction than the other, allowing the bushing to fit tightly into the planer. The wider part of the bushing should be up and down.
Reinstall the brackets. One of the brackets may have elongated holes – this bracket goes on the opposite end from the chain and sprockets. Keep pressure on the roller pushed in, while you tighten down the first brackets. Install the second bracket tightly against the pushing, with no play. Reinstall the spacer on the roller. Assemble the sprockets inside the chain. The hubs on the sprockets always face the planer. Install on one feed roller, then the second aligning the keyways and slide all of the way back. The hubs on the sprockets always face the planer. Install on the one feed roller and then the second, aligning the keyways, and slide all of the way back. Reinstall the retaining rings, followed by the gear box cover and the side covers.
The coating will also not grip if it is being used, or stored, in cold conditions. Warming up the rollers will activate the gripping action of the coating. To replace a worn feed rollers, remove the side panel and gear box cover. Take out the retaining rings on the feed rollers shafts and pull the sprockets and chains free from the planer. Remove the spacer on the roller shaft. With the planer on its side, remove the retaining brackets on the roller. There are springs located underneath the bushings, keeping pressure on the rollers.
Gently remove the rollers, allowing the springs to stay in place. Now, remove the bushings from the end of the roller shaft and transfer them onto the new roller. The planer bushings are wider in one direction than the other, allowing the bushing to fit tightly into the planer. The wider part of the bushing should be up and down.
Reinstall the brackets. One of the brackets may have elongated holes – this bracket goes on the opposite end from the chain and sprockets. Keep pressure on the roller pushed in, while you tighten down the first brackets. Install the second bracket tightly against the pushing, with no play. Reinstall the spacer on the roller. Assemble the sprockets inside the chain. The hubs on the sprockets always face the planer. Install on one feed roller, then the second aligning the keyways and slide all of the way back. The hubs on the sprockets always face the planer. Install on the one feed roller and then the second, aligning the keyways, and slide all of the way back. Reinstall the retaining rings, followed by the gear box cover and the side covers.
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Retaining Rings
The retaining rings are located on the feed roller shafts, which keeps the sprockets mounted in place on the feed rollers. If a retaining ring breaks off, it can impact the operation of the sprocket on the shaft. Remove the side panel and gear box cover to inspect the retaining rings. Make sure the sprockets are in the proper place and they didn’t jump or misalign due to a missing retaining ring. Make any necessary repairs – reposition and align the sprockets in place on the feed roller shafts, and then install new retaining rings. Reattach the gear box cover and side panel.
The retaining rings are located on the feed roller shafts, which keeps the sprockets mounted in place on the feed rollers. If a retaining ring breaks off, it can impact the operation of the sprocket on the shaft. Remove the side panel and gear box cover to inspect the retaining rings. Make sure the sprockets are in the proper place and they didn’t jump or misalign due to a missing retaining ring. Make any necessary repairs – reposition and align the sprockets in place on the feed roller shafts, and then install new retaining rings. Reattach the gear box cover and side panel.
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