My Own Worst Enemy

Oh, oh. I was trying to be clever and took a very wrong turn, me thinks. :>)

What is the metric size bolt that is 'just smaller than' a 1/4" inch? Is it 8 mm?

Anyway, while I'm waiting on the hay to dry, I decide to R&R the sheer bolt assy from my baler and drill 'er out so that I can just use plain old 1/4" bolts instead of the New Holland packaged sheer bolts.

Wrong. Ya don't drill this stuff; it must be case hardened, 'cause even on the drill press, I can't touch it and have been thru 5 drill bits.

Dumb me. Gotta go buy a bunch of bolts from the local tractor outlet before I can get to the field this morning. New Holland dealer is toooo far away. :>(

Allan

Yep, she is worn out, but it is not a driven sproket but rather one of those double chain coupler slip clutch drives.

I just put it back together to finish up the season and this winter I'll have to replace that hub.

Allan

Get a copper clad carbon rod from any welding supply. Peal back the copper about 3/4" then sharpen to a point just smaller than the existing hole diameter then apply 6v or 12v battery power to the carbon rod then wait until the metal becomes cheery red then stop the current flow and let cool slowly.

This will soften the steel so it can be drilled with a normal HSS drill bit. You may have to repeat the procedure several times until the hole is completed.

Break/make the connection at the battery so you don't leave a piece of carbon on the hole to be drilled. Also the carbon rods come in different diameters.

You can also use a DC welding machine using DCEN at about 100a but watch that you don't exceed the machines duty cycle rating.

T_Bone

Nope never heard of that but it sounds like solid advice.

Brass is Zinc & copper mix, typical 60%Cu/40%Zn, and makes a good filler for most castiron welding.

Probably the ring also contains a sufficent zinc content and so when mixed with the copper the finished weld would be a grade of brass.

Them boys were always thinking back then and didn't run to the store every time they needed something.

I have a refference book written in 1540, that explains very easy ways of mixing/seperating your own metals as well as making your own acid, Sulfuric & Nitric, etc, from "soil" to making rockets with flames of all colors plus a whole bunch of other "useful" info long forgotten.

T_Bone

how much would have to pay to get a copy of that ancient tome you have? I'd love to read it.

Already tried that..no go, just wont' touch it. Sooooo, now the stores don't open 'til noon.

I'm throwin' 'er back together and will run on those darned bent over and chopped off corral nails I been using' for the past week. :>)

Allan

I've been out in the shop, pounding out rivets from a sickel bar I bought yesterday. (New Holland #451, 7') Sold my old one a few summers back. MISTAKE!!!! They're kinda indespensable around pond banks and ditches.....

I do know one thing for certain..... Whoever invented bolts for replacing sections sure has my vote for king.....

Mark

I'm featured all right. Today's "Dumb-Arss" award. :>)

Hay is awaitin' and I'm tryin' to modify the goofy baler. Shoulda been in the field two hours ago. Now, I sit here and wait 'til the store opens.

What an idiot! 'Spose they'll lock me up one day. :>(

Allan

Good luck,

Mark

Yes, Harley called me on that one from MO yesterday.

But, I think I'd better stay with at least a 66 series or newer. I was never around any of those 06 types and would rather stay with something I'm more familiar with.

Plus, I'm really hoping this "tractor want" will eventually pass, if given enough time. :>)

Thanks fer thinking of me,

Allan

6mm must be the rascal then. Tryin' to save myself some grief down the road and caused more. Typical Allan operation. :>)

Allan

That's what I'm planning on doing. Buy a handful of bolts with locking nuts.

Thanks,

Allan

The manual says never shut off the PTO, which I knew anyways.

Just thought I'd save myself a little trouble, but it backfired on me. :>)

Allan