Metal question

Folks I've got to replace 2 U-bolts that hang the gang to arm of a old Ford harrow and having trouble finding the size locally (5/8x3x5in). Found them online but was told by friend to save money and just get some bar metal, drill holes, buy bolts and mount. Question is 1/4 in steel thick enough for bracket mount?
 
You can also make your own U bolts by getting a piece of all thread in 5/8 inch size. Get a piece of pipe the right size diameter . Put it in a vice, light up an aceletine torch . When the bend area is just about red hot bend the 5/8 inch all thread abound the pipe.
 
What I have done on several occasions is replace the u bolts with 2 straight bolts and a heavy strap a little longer than the width of the u bolt. Will just need to drill a couple of 5/8" holes in the strap. Has worked great for me.
 
First it's not easy to find allthread in anything harder than Grade 2.

Second, he needs a square profile bolt, not round.

To the OP I would use 3/4" thick plate at a minimum. This is a perfectly fine solution.
 
I think 1/4" flat bar will bend over time and let the bolts work loose. Some small channel 1/4" thick should work. The raised sides would keep it from bending when you tighten the bolts. Some round bar bent to the shape and threaded would work also.
 
Don't think he needs anything more than standard or grade 2 as that is probably all it was from factory. Agreed quarter inch thick will not tighten up and stay tight.
 
Well I thought about that but needs to be a squarehead U bolt (not round)? I assume the heat/bend process changes to just putting in vice and bend to shape or is the 90 degree bend to extreme for a DIY job?
 
That can work IF you have room for a heavy enough strap. A lot of the time you do not have room so U-bolt all that will fit in that spot.
 
Use of heat is not the issue, got friend down the road who has torch. I just wondered can I bend threaded rod with heat at 90 degree angles without breaking rod? Reason I ask question is all posts/comments and U tube videos of making U bolts from straight bar all reference a "round" u bolt not squares which is what I need. I know I'm making big deal out of nothing but the thought of paying a lot for "special order" u bolt for a dang harrow or having to jerry rig something just chap's me. If I can just get straight threaded 5/8 bar, add heat, bend to shape and mount would just be the best answer but I'm not a "metal guy".
 
Try a spring shop, one that services heavy trucks. I know they will bend round stock u- bolts, don' t know about
square. Probably worth phone call.
 
No problem making square corners with heat. The problem would come trying to make a round section to fit over a pipe.
 

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