Older trolling motor problem

[howards cowards]

I have an OMC BF4TK ( see pict) . My problem is when I try and pull the motor back in the boat it gets hung up on itself. It seems that you have to have your foot on the foot pedal and pull at the same time. This is hard to do. What happens is when I pull the motor in, the propeller body turns from gravity and gets hung up on the undrside of the base. Any advice is greatly apreciated.

 

[richg99]

I can't really see much from the pix, but I do own an Evinrude (probably the same basic motor). I have to pre-set the direction of the motor prior to pulling on the lift cord. If I don't set the proper direction....then I have reach down and grab the shaft and move it parallel to the deck...so I don't get hung up.

Have you tried pre-setting the direction before lifting?

It could also be that the shaft tension adjustment is too loose, allowing the motor to swing, due to gravity, to its lowest / heaviest point...just where you don't want it.

regards, Rich

 

[wasilvers]

Is there a tension adjustment you can make at the foot pedal? Mine swings but doesnt go far enough to catch, yet.

 

[howards cowards]

Thanks for the reply. I do not have manual with this motor. I do have a cut diagram of the parts. Can you describe how to adjust that tension. I do set the pedal before pulling it up. But it does not stay in that position when pulling it up. Thanks for your help.

 

[richg99]

My TM is at the boat barn. Please post the LINK or the diagram that you do have on this site?

As I recall, there was a screw that was tightened on the shaft near the top, but that might have been another TM. I've owned quite a number of them over the years. Rich

 

[wasilvers]

Not sure on your model. Not even sure on my model any more, but I know I need to do it again. I thought it was on the foot control, but maybe it was on the shaft? Sorry, I'm not more help

 

[richg99]

On the various TM's that I have messed with before...most have had a screw with a =T= handle on the upper shaft. That screw put pressure on a plastic pad. That plastic pad protects the shaft from being cut into by the screw's threads.

That pad wears out or loses its "grab" over time, hence... we have to re-tighten from time to time.

I had to replace a completely worn through "pad" one time as the prior owner of the boat thought he could just grind down on the screw. He cut a hole through the "pad". I used a piece of a PVC pipe that had an inside diameter similar to the outside diameter of the original shaft.

Let's see what configuration this one is. Rich

p.s. I guess if I had to fiddle with adjusting one too often, I'd add a spring and a couple of washers onto the tightening screws shaft. That would keep some pressure on the threads and they might not back out so often.

 

[howards cowards]

This link will bring you to the parts diagram of a BF4TK 1992. Thanks for your help.

https://www.boats.net/parts/search/OMC/TrollingMotorParts/1992/BF4TK%201992/parts.html

 

[richg99]

Item #39 ..when you click on it...says it is the "steering friction clamp". Your unit might be corroded and need a loosening with WD 40 or something similar. What do you say?

regards, Rich
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0398862 KNOB & SCREW AY


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[howards cowards]

Item #39 ..when you click on it...says it is the "steering friction clamp". Your unit might be corroeded and need a loosening with WD 40 or something similar. What do you say?

regards, Rich
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I think it is the item #51. Thank You so much for pointing this out for me. Still a novice at this. Going to try and see if this works tonight. Will let you know.

 

[richg99]

I'll still bet on #39./..but..it really doesn't matter which item is exactly correct. One of them is going to add friction and prevent your head from flopping over as easily as it does now. Don't get it too tight, of course.

Please let us know how it turns out. Regards, Rich