wartime steel wheel cleat

K

Kirk-NJ

Well-known Member

• Apr 15, 2017

• #1

Looking for one steel wheel cleat that's missing one my rusty old steel wheels. they are well worn about 1 1/2"/ 1 3/4". If someone has an extra one my email is open. Not interested in buying a whole set This is not a restored tractor.

 

T

Tim PloughNman Daley RIP

Well-known Member

• Apr 15, 2017

• #1

Kirk-
I know you have been looking for just one cleat for sometime now, but still haven't found one. I've learned to think positive and never say never on finding old parts. That being said, is the original cleat solid or semi-hollow? Could you make one out of solid say on a CNC Mill?

Tim

 

H

Hank ABAB

Member

• Apr 15, 2017

• #1

Kirk-NJ,

Have you got a picture of your old ones?

 

M

markct

Well-known Member

• Apr 15, 2017

• #1

I gave your number and email to the guy I sold my steel wheels to, he removed the cleats and put on angle iron or something that rode better, I was hoping he would contact you

 

OP

OP

K

Kirk-NJ

Well-known Member

• Apr 15, 2017

• #1

He did but he wanted to sell the whole set.I told him to place an ad here and on the other site.

Kirk

 

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markct

Well-known Member

• Apr 15, 2017

• #1

Oh ok glad he atleast contacted you. Probably not a huge market for them but they were tall and in decent shape, should have accidentally knocked one off when I was getting them wheels off the stone wall lol!

 

OP

OP

K

Kirk-NJ

Well-known Member

• Apr 16, 2017

• #1

Here is the photo

 

OP

OP

K

Kirk-NJ

Well-known Member

• Apr 16, 2017

• #1

Tim
I posted a photo of them. If I don't run across one I'll probably make something up so there's no dead spot when driving.

Kirk

 

M

markct

Well-known Member

• Apr 16, 2017

• #1

I'm almost thinking that could be formed on the press brake and welded together and built up in the middle to match. Could you get some measurements Kirk I would be glad to give it a go and send it to you

 

Ultradog MN

Well-known Member

Location

Twin Cities

• Apr 16, 2017

• #1

Kirk,
It would be very simple to make something like that.
Two pieces of angle iron, welded together, flattened out a bit, a couple of holes and a bit of grinding.
It wouldn't have the wear properties of an original but it's unlikely you would ever wear it out anyway.
Easy peasy.

 

M

markct

Well-known Member

• Apr 16, 2017

• #1

Angle iron wouldn't have the right angle to it, that's why I figured form it from flat stock on the press brake, they are considerably less than 90 degrees.

 

Ultradog MN

Well-known Member

Location

Twin Cities

• Apr 16, 2017

• #1

Yes,
You are correct. But they could be flattened to the right angle very easily.
My torch and welder are stored away up at my property and will be till I get a new garage built here.
Otherwise I would offer to make him one.
Probably take all of an hour...

 

Tall T

Well-known Member

• Apr 16, 2017

• #1

Kirk,

Following up on the angle iron idea, here's my take on simplifying the process:

Piece of angle iron open side down as the tooth
and two short pieces of flat bar welded on, one to each side of it
and drilled.

Eliminates any need to flatten to shape.

Terry

 

Tall T

Well-known Member

• Apr 16, 2017

• #1

P.S.

As you'd probably conclude anyway . . .

I'd position the three pieces, mark where your two holes will go,
drill them and then temporarily bolt the flats down and spot or full weld them to the angle iron between them. Then unbolt it, groove out the underside where the flats meet the angle iron and pour the coals to it.

. . . if the wheel is close to your welder that is.

 

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markct

Well-known Member

• Apr 16, 2017

• #1

But if you look the cleat isn't 90
degrees, plus it wouldn't look much like
original, the way I figured bending the
two pieces and building up on the top
point should make a clear that after a
couple times around on gravel would be
indistinguishable from the others

 

Tall T

Well-known Member

• Apr 16, 2017

• #1

Market,

True nuff.

I did realize it wasn't a 90.

The difference between repair and restore, as relates to one's needs, I guess.

T

 

Tall T

Well-known Member

• Apr 17, 2017

• #1

Market,

Perfect solution your's, in every way.

When the two pieces of skookum flatbar with rounded corners are bent to the correct angle,
then where they come together at the peak leaves the perfect natural V to fill with weld.

The last time I tried to open angle iron wider, trying to open the angle all the way to the peak of the V, so as to have even slopes, then the angle iron will crack in the thick valley.
So then the valley has to be re-welded.

The simplicity of your two easy bends and one weld solution
rocks! I'd oxy/acet heat and bend to those two angles with my trusty blacksmith's vise . . . since I don't have a press.

Actually my big vise is a powerful bender too.
I can jump up and down on the handle without fear of breaking it.

T

 

M

markct

Well-known Member

• Apr 17, 2017

• #1

I agree, can't live without my big vise
either! And the press brake is handy
too, every time I get a new tool I
wonder how I ever lived without it all
these years!

 

OP

OP

K

Kirk-NJ

Well-known Member

• Apr 17, 2017

• #1

Thank for all the replies. Still have a friend out in Pa that I knew had a bunch of well worn ones. He usually goes to the plowing event this weekend so I might see him there.
Shouldn't be hard to put on together will some angle.

Kirk