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Topic ClosedBAL leveler and cordless hammer drill?

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furpod View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: BAL leveler and cordless hammer drill?
    Posted: 08 Jun 2016 at 12:55pm
Originally posted by TheBum

Originally posted by furpod

I have seen several BAL's run with a cordless. I never looked into it myself, because I don't find raising and lowering with a wrench all that big of a deal. I lower and raise my stabilizers by hand also. We do have a power tongue jack.. 



I've had to raise the BAL to the last few inches of worm gear twice. That's not fun, even when using a 300 ft-lb torque wrench.


Been there a couple times myself.. agreed, not fun. Luckily, it isn't often.
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Jun 2016 at 1:00pm
While on campsites, I haven't had to raise the BAL but a few twists to tweak the leveling. However, in my driveway, it is a different story. There I have to raise it most of the way. I still use the wrench that came with it. Neither my 16V nor my 20V drills are strong enough to raise the BAL leveler. It isn't something I have to do every day. If it were, I might be looking for a power alternative also.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Jun 2016 at 4:29pm
The BAL acme screw is not designed to handle that kind of impact. If it was a smooth and continuous torque, it would be OK, but I have personally witnessed a friends BAL get ruined because he used a hammer drill, and I warned him not too (It took about 6 camping trips to ruin it). The acme screw thread is NOT hardened. It will gall and become damaged, requiring a new screw and nut.

 Make certain to put some grease on the screw!!!! I know it's messy, but it will make it work so much easier. And even then, it may become worn out. Maybe they have quality problems at BAL.

Check out the one star reviews on AMAZON for the BAL leveler. A lot of damage from using power tools.

And, I own one, and it does work. But I find that I almost always have to pull the trailer forward onto a leveling block in order to raise tire on the low side slightly. This is so I can actually slide the BAL leveler under the tire. On a soft surface it can be impossible to get the BAL under the tire, so I put the yellow lego block pad in front, pull forward to raise the tire a bit, then put the BAL under the tire  and level the camper.
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Jun 2016 at 9:07pm
Use of power tools does not mean that the BAL has quality problems. If it was not designed for them, then they should not be used. If a power tool is used, BAL cannot be blamed when it damages the leveler. Using some grease on the threads is common sense. I can see where if it is overloaded or not greased, the jack screw can quickly fail. That being said, I am not sure about the durability of the design. The concept is good, but it is exposed to weather and dirt, both of which are not good for the sliding surfaces of the threads and will contribute to wear.

I like the idea of using one block to elevate the tire a little in order to make sliding the BAL leveler under and removing it easier. I'll have to try that when I get ready to lower it in my driveway and when I raise and lower it in the future.
StephenH
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Jun 2016 at 9:41pm
So, what is a BAL? 😊
Diane and Michael
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Jun 2016 at 9:58pm
This is a BAL. Smile
StephenH
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Jun 2016 at 10:01pm
Ahhh! Now I understand! Thanks!
Diane and Michael
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Jun 2016 at 11:01am
The impact wrench I bought has three speeds. The lowest speed should put the least stress on the worm gear; the only question is whether it will provide enough torque.

I hadn't though about greasing it, but it's a good idea. I'll probably use the same red sticky grease I use for balls and WDH bars. I also saw where someone suggested putting a quarter under the end of the worm gear to save wear and tear on the BAL frame.
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Jun 2016 at 11:45am
I would be very leery about putting a quarter in the ring under the jack screw. The ring is meant to keep the end in place. Putting a quarter in there reduces the amount of wall there is to keep it from slipping. I would think that just putting some grease there also would help to reduce wear.
StephenH
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Jun 2016 at 2:38pm
Impact cordless drill will do the trick.
Ron Rowland
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