Another Industry First - 15yr Rudder Bearing Guarantee for Newbuilds
24 November 2004
In 1993, Thordon Bearings was the first company to introduce a 10yr Rudder Bearing Wear Life Guarantee to commercial ship owners and managers. After 11 years of ongoing product improvements and more than 4,000 rudder bearings installed worldwide, Thordon is boldly re-confirming the confidence in the performance of SXL rudder bearings by introducing a guarantee period of 15 years.
It takes a high-performance quality product, and confidence built over many years tracking successful installations, to offer a 15yr wear life guarantee. “Although selling Thordon performance and quality has become a bigger challenge due to the cheaper alternatives now available, once customers have experienced the performance of the product, technical support and after-care service from Thordon Bearings and our distributors, they stay with us," says Allen Taylor, Thordon’s Commercial Director. “Total life cycle cost is much more important than initial purchase price. Our new 15yr Rudder Bearing Wear Life Guarantee is being introduced to point out that the cheapest bearing to purchase often ends up being the most expensive!”
Thordon SXL self-lubricating rudder bearings offer total freedom from grease, thus eliminating pollution concerns. In today’s regulatory environment, anything that eliminates a source of pollution has both cost and environmental protection advantages.
Thordon’s 15yr Rudder Bearing Wear Life Guarantee ensures provision of a replacement if a Thordon SXL rudder bearing wears out and requires renewal before the 15yr period.
The guarantee covers pintle, rudder stock and carrier disc bearings above and below the waterline in newbuild Classed vessels. The 15yr Rudder Bearing Wear Life Guarantee applies to the original owner of the ship and is non-transferable. Engineering and other details such as Classification Society, rudder specifications, vessel name, ship owner’s name the guarantee will apply to etc., will be required prior to issuing the guarantee to ensure proper installation and that bearing pressures are accurate.
Thordon continues to offer its repair / conversion guarantee as well. In conversion pintle, stock or carrier applications, Thordon SXL rudder bearings are guaranteed to meet Classification Society wear specifications for twice the life of the non-Thordon bearing replaced, up to a maximum of ten years, or Thordon Bearings will supply a new rudder bearing free of charge.
