Rear Blade Replacement Cutting Edge

   / Replacement Cutting Edge #1  

djradz

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Joined
Feb 26, 2001
Messages
1,447
Location
South-central Michigan
Tractor
New Holland TC40D
I have a very old 6' International (commercial/industrial) rear 3-pt blade in need of a new cutting edge. The existing edge is a single (cannot be flipped) as the holes are offset significanlty toward the top edge of the cutting edge and the entire piece sits in sort of a detent in the moldboard so a flippable/reversable edge would not appear to be useable.

Does anyone have a good suggestion for a supplier. I've found one place, Atlantic Broom, that appears to take orders for custom-fit cutting edges, but I'm wondering if there are others out there that I don't know of.
 
   / Replacement Cutting Edge #2  
Couldn't a metal shop make one for a reasonable cost? If not, how about welding on a new edge? Just thinking out loud.
 
   / Replacement Cutting Edge #4  
i use a piece of uhmw plastic cost about 150. then i transfer the holes from plow then drill it.
 
   / Replacement Cutting Edge #5  
If the dealer can't supply a cutting edge, any metal supply house should be able to sell you the proper material. Call and check if they can test the old blade to see what it is. I'm guessing it will be something like 4140 steel, fairly tough yet not overly hard.

You probably want about 35-40 Rockwell hardness, in a softer tool steel.

If you tell them what you want it for, they should be able to advise you on what they have that will work. Then it's just a matter of getting it cut to the right size and drilling some holes. It's going to be cheaper than going back to the dealer, most of the time anyway.

Sean
 
   / Replacement Cutting Edge #6  
Does anyone have a good suggestion for a supplier. I've found one place, Atlantic Broom, that appears to take orders for custom-fit cutting edges, but I'm wondering if there are others out there that I don't know of.

I made a cutting edge for my FEL out of an old snowplow edge that I got from the town for free. They generally just throw them away and usually have a few kicking around the town barn. They are worn a little curved, but are 9' long and I only needed 5 1/2 feet, so I simply cut off the ends and got an edge that is w/in 1/4" of being straight, if not better - which is close enough for me.

In your case, I'd weld the new DIY edge right to your old edge (7018 rod) so you can just unbolt the thing in case you want to change it again later.

I also got a big, heavy 7' grading blade edge at the local metal scrapyard - I don't know what it came off of, but it's nice and straight, weighs a good 150 pounds, and still has some paint on it. They had it in their drop off dumpster when I was scrapping a cast iron boiler exchanger. I just had to ask for it, and they gave it to me for free.

JayC
 
   / Replacement Cutting Edge
  • Thread Starter
#7  
That sounds like a good idea.:thumbsup:

I'm concerned about the hardness with welding on a new edge. I want it as hard or harder than the existing one. Plus, for about the last foot on each side, it is worn more, probably something like 3/4" to 1", where in the middle, maybe only 1/4" to 1/2". That would seem like a lot to build up, but I've never done so so don't really know.
 
   / Replacement Cutting Edge #8  
Actually, I didn't mean to build up the old with weld. I meant to weld on a new piece of plate over top of the old edge. Sorry for the confusion.
 
   / Replacement Cutting Edge #9  
If you have a hardened steel cutting blade, I wouldnt recommend welding on it unless you plan to heat treat it afterward. It would likely be very brittle and the first time you hit something with it, it would probable snap off the weld. Just get yourself a new bolt on blade and fix it right. As said many of the county road grader blade can be used for this and you can get them free in most places.
 
   / Replacement Cutting Edge #10  
I'm concerned about the hardness with welding on a new edge. I want it as hard or harder than the existing one. Plus, for about the last foot on each side, it is worn more, probably something like 3/4" to 1", where in the middle, maybe only 1/4" to 1/2". That would seem like a lot to build up, but I've never done so so don't really know.

Don't worry about welding it on. That is a very common practice. You could cut the old edge off and then weld in the new one.:thumbsup:


If you have a hardened steel cutting blade, I wouldnt recommend welding on it unless you plan to heat treat it afterward. It would likely be very brittle and the first time you hit something with it, it would probable snap off the weld. Just get yourself a new bolt on blade and fix it right. As said many of the county road grader blade can be used for this and you can get them free in most places.

Welding on the cutting edge hasn't caused any problems the two times I have had it done.:thumbsup:

Cutting edges come in weld on type so That is what you should be able to do!:thumbsup:
 
 
 
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