Wanted: Satoh Beaver Front Axle Shaft - Inner Yoke

[KenBer]

Thanks all. So far -- all dead ends. The part is cast iron, not cast steel - so no sure way to repair.
I did find a place online that will make me one for $4000 (The internal splines are the killer). I'm still exploring options!

 

[Ilikeurtractor]

How did you determine it was cast iron vs. cast steel? Cast iron can be welded with a high nickel welding rod. Then it has to be cooled as slow as possible to stress relieve. Not a particularly convenient weld but doable. I broke a timing belt on an interference Toyota diesel engine from the 70's (I believe) and the pistons ran into the valves causing a few of the cast iron rockers to snap in half. I was able to weld them back together and it has been working since - maybe 20 hours ago as I don't use it much. I didn't even do a full penetration weld, just a cap around the crack with a slight bevel in it which helped keep the alignment of the parts. Like I said you can't really make it worse than what you have but I do understand putting a few hours into a part that doesn't repair nicely is no fun either.

 

[K5lwq]

Thanks all. So far -- all dead ends. The part is cast iron, not cast steel - so no sure way to repair.
I did find a place online that will make me one for $4000 (The internal splines are the killer). I'm still exploring options!

Where are you located? I only ask because I have a Beaver that has been sitting for a few years. I might would sale if someone wanted it. It is complete. The sector shaft for the steering broke and I just haven’t tried to fix it. It was starting to burn some oil as well so a rebuild was in order.

 

[airbiscuit]

Were you able to contact driveshaft builder like this?

Hot Rods | Race Cars | Rock Crawler | Mud Truck | Classic Car | Custom Driveshafts

I don't suppose you are lucky enough that your splines are the same as some PTOs

1 3/4 - 20 spline

1 3/8 - 21 spline

 

[sandman2234]

If you know a home shop machinist with a Bridgeport, that part can be made. Not easy in most home shops, but if the Bridgeport has a shaping head on the back end of it, then the splines can be cut using that. 1 little mistake and it is start over, but it is doable. Might be easier if you found either a yoke or the spline section and modify it rather than starting from scratch.
What horsepower is that tractor?
David from jax

 

[KenBer]

So I think I do have a way forward. I do have a mill, a lathe, welders, etc. - but this is way more involved than what I can do.

I have a good buddy who is a machinist and he's gonna work on duplicating this. The major issue is the internal hub splines. They are pretty specialized and are not anything readily available. All the 21-spline couplings are all too big and the contour of the teeth is different. To truly duplicate this portion would require custom broaching and that is a dying/lost art.

To address this we're looking to modify the shaft to match to something more standard and make that into a yoke assembly. We're planning to make a few extra so anyone else who runs into this can benefit from our fix. I'll keep this post updated as things progress - but if anyone else needs one of these let me know.

 

[KenBer]

How did you determine it was cast iron vs. cast steel? Cast iron can be welded with a high nickel welding rod. Then it has to be cooled as slow as possible to stress relieve. Not a particularly convenient weld but doable. I broke a timing belt on an interference Toyota diesel engine from the 70's (I believe) and the pistons ran into the valves causing a few of the cast iron rockers to snap in half. I was able to weld them back together and it has been working since - maybe 20 hours ago as I don't use it much. I didn't even do a full penetration weld, just a cap around the crack with a slight bevel in it which helped keep the alignment of the parts. Like I said you can't really make it worse than what you have but I do understand putting a few hours into a part that doesn't repair nicely is no fun either.

I did the spark test, the drill test, and the chisel test. They all confirmed - cast.

 

[airbiscuit]

What is the OD of the splined shaft and how many splines?
Any of these close?
Involute Splines | Hayes Broaching Service

How do you plan to modify the shaft to more "standard"?

 

[KenBer]

What is the OD of the splined shaft and how many splines?
Any of these close?
Involute Splines | Hayes Broaching Service

How do you plan to modify the shaft to more "standard"?

OD if the shaft is 24mm (major dim) and 21mm (minor dim). 21 Spline.

We're thinking about grinding flats to make the shaft/hub a square-drive.

 

[airbiscuit]

Update???