MF 265 Axle Pivot Pin Removal

I’m starting to work on replacing the bushings and axle pivot pin in my MF 265. It looks like MF tractor(s) 165, 175, 255, 265 and construction & industrial(s) 30, 31, 3165 all use the same pin and others my be similar. In reading online it seems that some people do have a problem removing the old pin and I hope to be able to complete the job without removing casting that is bolted to the front of the engine.

My plan now is to make some kind of a puller that attaches to the 3/8” holes in the hollow axle pivot pin or run a pulling rod completely through the axle pin and add a nut in the limited space between the axle pin and crankshaft pulley. If it does not come right out, I will try to drive it slightly deeper just to break any static friction before trying to pull again. Then if it is still stuck my alternate plan is to weld a hot bead the full length inside of the hollow axle pin. After the pin cools it should be a slightly smaller diameter and easy to remove.

My questions:
1. Does anyone have a good plan for making a puller that attaches to the 3/8” holes in the hollow axle pin? Or a better method to pull that pin without removing the front casting?

2. Has anyone tried the welding trick to reduce the pin diameter and aid in removal?
I have used the welding trick to remove bearing races and valve inserts with good results but not tried it on such a long hollow pin.

Thanks,
Jim

most of the time they will have some wear in the casting which will allow you to remove it as you mentioned using a puller rod or small slide hammer using one of the 3/8 pin holes to pull from, but there is always the exception to the norm in which case the pin may be soft enough to tap and install a tempered pulling rod which could be used as a screw type puller or use with a hollow ram puller if available to apply enough pressure to remove it. other than that pulling the front casting to gain access to it would probably be the best way to go.

An update, I was able to remove the pivot pin with a long rod through the hollow pin and a big slide hammer. It worked fine and I now have a new pin and bushings installed.