How to remove pressed prop hubs before recycling

[ratdude747]

Here's an atypical prop question: I have four aluminum props sitting around with rubber hubs. One has a spun hub (pressed Mercruiser), one has hub starting to dry rot (Michigan Wheel that appears to be pressed), and two have substantial damage (both are pressed Mercruisers, one has a rotted hub, cavitation, and a hub crack; the other is severely corroded).

Is there a good way to remove the rubber hubs to allow me to sell the damaged ones (and any others not worth re-hubbing) for scrap aluminum? I have access to a couple shop presses at work. I don't know if my local scrapyard will take them as anything other than mixed steel with the hubs present.

FWIW I'm good on props otherwise; I have three different Piranha setups and an untested decent-looking aluminum Solas. But, no sense in clogging my driveway pile with props that may have some scrap value.

 

[Mc Tool]

Here's an atypical prop question: I have four aluminum props sitting around with rubber hubs. One has a spun hub (pressed Mercruiser), one has hub starting to dry rot (Michigan Wheel that appears to be pressed), and two have substantial damage (both are pressed Mercruisers, one has a rotted hub, cavitation, and a hub crack; the other is severely corroded).

Is there a good way to remove the rubber hubs to allow me to sell the damaged ones (and any others not worth re-hubbing) for scrap aluminum? I have access to a couple shop presses at work. I don't know if my local scrapyard will take them as anything other than mixed steel with the hubs present.

FWIW I'm good on props otherwise; I have three different Piranha setups and an untested decent-looking aluminum Solas. But, no sense in clogging my driveway pile with props that may have some scrap value.

Chuck em on a fire ....burn the rubber out and you get both the ally prop and the splined (brass?) bush for scrap .

 

[alldodge]

I would try to press them out, either that or use a band saw to cross cut

 

[Texasmark]

I would try to press them out, either that or use a band saw to cross cut

The cutting them in half is a great idea. When you get the hub out you can cross cut the rubber to get the brass bushing out. I would expect both actions would require some clean up work but you now would have access to what you want to do.

 

[Chris1956]

Gee, prop shops press the hubs on and off all the time. Why not try a press?

 

[Jeff J]

I just throw the complete assembly in with everything else when I head to the scrap yard. I threw a prop, lower unit and a lawnmower in the last load which totaled about 6800 pounds. I torn down a pole barn that was in very bad condition. I usually don’t have that much scrap.