I have a friend who is trying to repair an old sorghum mill. The
major problem with this machine is the condition of the bearings.

This machine has three rollers that crush the cane. Two are
adjustable and a half bearing shell is used to adjust pressure. One
remaining half bearing shell fragment appears to be made from bronze.
It looks like someone has tried to repair these bearings in the past
by pouring a lead or babbitt bearing. The poured bearing quickly
failed under load.

Has anyone had experience repairing these mills? And is there any
information available on the bearings used with these machines?

Any leads will be appreciated

John Normile

I think a lot of older equipment using pressing rollers were designed
this way, but you may be better off trying to convert it to ball or
roller bearings - else you may have to "make" your bronze bearing
halfs to replace the originals.
Ken