Well it is all but done. I did all the following while the head was on the cart.Making the new pan. I made mine in two parts as that is how my steel came and fitting a single piece didn’t appear possible (you can and if I should do another will). Both parts were a mirror image of each other, 93” x 31”. One half of the rear (59” on a 216) of the pan is bent up about 4 1/4 inches at a 50 deg angle. The rest is cut out leaving 26 3/4 width. This should put the front edge right at the end of the support arms once fit. I did not drill any holes as I was concerned that they wouldn’t match up. I also left the second part a 1/2 inch long (93 1/2) at the splice, for marking, to fit later. Frame ready and pieces made, I inserted the first half piece. I was able to insert it from the front as it was not rolled to match the frame. First thing I did was to line it up and drill two of the holes (each end) that the angle in back bolts to. This would help hold the piece in place while fitting to the frame. We tried several different things to get the new metal to conform to the frame but ended up using wood blocks. I used about 6 blocks per side, wedged under the auger. This pushed it firmly into the egg shape the frame had in it. Once in place I repeated the process for the other side doubled check the corners, frame fit, and marked the middle splice. Pulled out the second piece and cut it for the middle splice. Reinstall the second piece and lined it back up checking fit and the splice in the middle. Once I was happy with the fit I tacked the splice first to make it one piece. Then I drilled the holes in the rear for the angled brackets behind the auger and put in all the bolts. The next step was to weld the rear opening so that the entire rear of the new pan was firmly held in place. Moving on to the support arms and front edge. Once welded, I pulled the blocks. Not having room for a standard drill I used a torch to cut the holes for the SS feed pan (angle head drill would work). Reinstalled the SS and the runner support arms loosened for the SS pan. All back together now, all I have to do is put the two end snouts back on. Tips
Remove the auger chain to help it move freely.
There is a bracket that rides above the runner support arms under the head that the larger SS bolt goes though, remember to put it back in place so you don’t have extra pieces laying about.
Between welding and using the torch I opted to paint after the fact.
If like me you don’t have a metal break, the metal can be bent by hand. I placed it on our flat bed with the 4” hanging over the back, laid a 3 inch channel on it and had my boy stand on it. Worked my way across (several times) pushing it down by hand unit it was where it needed to be. (this may not be possible with heaver gage)
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