Suggestions;need to cut down 1/4" thick steel support

[z0lt3c]

Hi All-
I am installing a Woods 3pt backhoe mounting kit and the kit includes "safety-support" arms which provide a rigid connection between the 3pt lift arms and top link.

The support arms have 3 hole positions on each end. After fitting the kit on my B7800, for the toplink bolt hole location, I can only use the first (lowest) bolt hole. However, the excess material above the first bolt hole obstructs the ability of the support arm to sit properly in position.

The manual says on smaller tractors, the excess stock above the hole position in use may need to be removed. I assume this is my situation.

I am wondering how one can go about cutting down these arms. Is their a shop in central NJ anybody can recommend? Anybody locally want to help me out?


Thanks,
Z

 

[carpenter383]

Looks like an excuse to buy a bandsaw!

 

[kennyd]

Do you have a sawzall? With a metal cutting blade it would take about 2 minutes. Then clean up the cut edge with a file or grinder.

 

[Bedlam]

Probably a welding shop could do it, But around here people take things like this to some of the contractor yards and they will sometimes torch it off.
I myself would mark it once, and use a metal cutting blade on a circular saw. These blades are under 6 dollars for two at wal mart.
It would take awhile to cut through it, but if you wanted to do it yourself it would work. I would cut through it like you would a wood plank, but run it back and forth in a plunge fashion.giving time for the saw to rev up and cool itself.It can be done that way.
do a search for a welding shop near you.This would be a simple cut for someone with a torch or plasma cutter.
or the band saw or the saw zall as they said .

 

[bpattie]

I have also had good luck using a cutting wheel on the hand held grinder cutting steel.

 

[medicshawn]

Go buy a 4.5 inch grinder and some cut off wheels.

 

[Just Bill]

Hello
If there is a Harbor Freight close you might consider a hacksaw and a 4"
angle grinder. It wouldn't take very long and you would still have the tools for
another project.

 

[Kernopelli]

I have a metal cutting band saw, O/A torch set up, chop saw ( actually an old Craftsman miter saw w/ 10" metal cutting chop saw blade), SawZall w/ metal blade and even a Milwaukee steel cutting circular saw blade( you guys should really try one of these, they are awesome) that would zip right through that but for some reason I find myself making most of my metal cuts with a 4 1/2 angle grinder and thin metal cutting blades. If you don't already own an angle grinder, you need one and you can go to lowes or HD and buy a really decent offbrand 6-7 amp grinder for about $30. Probably about the minimum charge most shops are going to charge. As KennyD also pointed out if you already have a Sawzall or even a jigsaw (yes a jigsaw will actually cut it) get a metal cutting blade and it will be pretty quick work.

 

[SPYDERLK]

$5 hacksaw and elbow grease if you have any.
larry

 

[Treemonkey1000]

I bought a battery powered Dremel tool and a metal cut off wheel to saw off a padlock for a friend. The padlock had jammed up and they couldn't get it done. It took a couple of minutes to saw through that hardened steel.