Hard to deploy powerdrive TM

I got my new-to-me Powerdrive 55 trolling motor installed and tried it out. I love the motor but it is a pain in the butt to get the shaft pushed thru the steering motor to deploy the unit from the stowed position.. I went on a marine forum and somebody mentioned there are some hard rubber blocks that have to be trimmed to lessen this. Anybody done this and could you advise me as to how to do it and where they are located? Are there some other issues that might be causing this? I'm talking small sledgehammer tight when deploying!

This is my 1st powerdrive motor so it is also my 1st autopilot and co-pilot experience. I have no idea why I waited so long to switch to this type motor. My 1st impressions are AWESOME!!

I tried the search again and either this is not mentioned there or I am not putting in the correct terminology to find the answer.

THANKS!!

Have you tried using armour all or something like that to clean the shaft? Maybe some silicon spray.

The round locking collar can be adjusted closer to the top of the motor. Loosen the lock screw and turn it so it's closer to the head. Also keep it armor all'ed as the previous poster said. That's very important.

I never had issues with mine, But its all in how you deploy it with your left hand toward the head of the motor and your right hand push the release button. The left hand push down on the shaft as in bending it down. This causes the foot of the motor to come out of the cradle.
Now if your is more like the Terrova just spray some liquid graphite on the 4 little rubber wheels. Those wheels allow friction against the foot of the motor. With the graphite this is not as much and the motor jumps out of and down. Shoot my Terrova goes down by its self when I hit the release button.
My old powder drive unit others could not deploy it. I could do it with out any issues. That left hand putting down pressure was the key.
If this does not help get with me and I will be glad to try and find a way to get it where you can do this easy. I have helped a lot of people with these units. There easy when done right.
Pete

do as shellback suggests and you won`t have any problems deploying it

what I do is with my right hand I push down on the BIG release on top of the whole unit, not the small one one the bottom, and the Motor itself will slide up and out...and that point with my left hand, which is about 8 inches under the head holding the shaft of the motor, I just slightly push forward and the weight of the motor itself will go out and over and start falling toward the water just based upon gravity. I just let it pull itself into and down below the water controlling it's decnt with my left hand. Pretty easy. I did spray some wd-40 type lube on a cloth and applied a layer of it to the shaft. The only thing I don't like is how much of the entire base has to be out over the water. MK could have made the base a little larger to give it more surface area to work with. Kinda cheap for $800 IMO. And for you fellers who bought a shorter shaft I see an issue coming in your future if you constantly pull on the top of the head or use the head to get the motor back out of the water. Better use the shaft and not the head!!!

i use the head seams sturdy to me but some are had to deploy no matter what lube you put on it ,the collar must be adjusted or you will hate it.if you do some searching on hear it is explained somewhere here,should be a sticky if u ask me because i thought about selling mine when i first got it until i read about the collar adjustment

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Shellback

The round locking collar can be adjusted closer to the top of the motor. Loosen the lock screw and turn it so it's closer to the head. Also keep it armor all'ed as the previous poster said. That's very important.

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This is exactly what I did to all 3 of my Power Drives and I have no issues deploying them at all..Works great!!. Also here is what I do when I go to stow mine. I turn the AP off, put the CON/MOM in the CON position, point the head straight forward and turn the speed wide open. Push the release to stow the motor and step on the pedal to activate (turn the motor on) and it will literally drive itself out of the water....Sure saves from bending over to pull it up!!:)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mrdux

I got my new-to-me Powerdrive 55 trolling motor installed and tried it out. I love the motor but it is a pain in the butt to get the shaft pushed thru the steering motor to deploy the unit from the stowed position.. I went on a marine forum and somebody mentioned there are some hard rubber blocks that have to be trimmed to lessen this. Anybody done this and could you advise me as to how to do it and where they are located? Are there some other issues that might be causing this? I'm talking small sledgehammer tight when deploying!

This is my 1st powerdrive motor so it is also my 1st autopilot and co-pilot experience. I have no idea why I waited so long to switch to this type motor. My 1st impressions are AWESOME!!

I tried the search again and either this is not mentioned there or I am not putting in the correct terminology to find the answer.

THANKS!!

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I have never had to trim the blocks using the above mentioned technique.

I have had a powerdrive for many years and it is a pain to deploy from its cradle. However I discovered this by accident, If you stow it with the prop straight up with the point of the motor resting in the cradle it is alot easier to deploy. Now I do place it in the cradle in the proper position when in transit.