Knees stuck in front axle bottle tube

Restoring an International 1206 Wheatland and trying to get the knees out of the used adjustable front end we're trying to use. We have tried a 10 ton spreader and a torch. 12 ton bottle jack, stretching with crane, soaking in penetrating fluid, heat, sledgehammer, air chisels and after fifty years of rust it has proved impossible to get any movement. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!
 
VERY common! You have done about all that can be done.However,in one extreme case several years ago,I had to split the tube.Took my 9" 'sidewheel' grinder and ground a grove on the side about halfway to the middle.That was enough 'relief' to get it to move.The groove was then welded back up. Keep working on it,you will get it-eventailly.They can be TOUGH! good luck!
 
Heat, apply candle wax as the steel cools. Too hot, it"ll flame, so wait til it melts in. Give it time to penetrate. Maybe repeat. Never failed me with any bolts or parts"
 
(quoted from post at 08:28:11 01/27/15) Restoring an International 1206 Wheatland and trying to get the knees out of the used adjustable front end we're trying to use. We have tried a 10 ton spreader and a torch. 12 ton bottle jack, stretching with crane, soaking in penetrating fluid, heat, sledgehammer, air chisels and after fifty years of rust it has proved impossible to get any movement. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!
tried all that with a friends IH,...no go.
I advised him to drive it with all bolts out and a spreader wedge in the clamping part in the hope the pounding on the road and field might shake it loose. He has got a loader on it as well and uses it daily.
It hasn't moved yet 6 years later
 
I've had the clamps loose on my Oliver 1600 since January of 2000,have had a loader on it all that time,and it still hasn't budged.
 
Hi It might work if you get a lot of heat in the outer tube to pre warm it, with a huge propane type tiger torch, then get some red heat on it with an oxy acetylene torch after, if you cant do that with propane. then hit it with cold water from a hose pipe and cool it. you may find the shocking with the cold water breaks the rust loose, and it might start moving when you get it to initially go.
if you can't get the heat in it your kinda stuck or cutting the tube if you only need the knees.
I did one side on a 66 axle in the wreckers for a guy, it was the hottest day in the summer, we got it to move without heat. I was wet right through with sweat and it took about 5 hours beating it out with a 14lb sledge hammer kinda knocking it side to side (twisting) and hitting it out the end, it was right in narrow as well :-----(.
Regards Robert
 
This worked for me on a J.D. round tube wide front. Built a fire using fire wood put end of front in the fire. Kept the fire going for about 8 hrs. Let cool over night The next day was able to get some movement kept working back and fort until free.
 

Use 2 porta powers. One on top and one on the bottom. This will apply equal pressure on the tube. If you just apply pressure to one side or the other it cocks it in the tube.

In this order I was able to get a white front end apart. Advice came from a friends uncle.

Heat, PB Blaster, Pressure. Come back following day and did same thing. After 1 week it was freed up. But remember the pressure has to be equal on the top and bottom.
 

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