OLD HARLEY RAKE RESTORATION

[WALT]

TBN'ers

After many hours of work, I have finally reassembled an old TR-35 Harley rake, that I bought used 7-8 years ago. I used it on a job in April, and noticed it was vibrating alot. I was able to finish the job, got it back to my garage, and took a close look at it.

The bottom bar roller pillow block bearing casting had broke, and the end shaft was carving a oblong groove in the gear case. The main frame weld next to the gear case had also broken which was the reason for the vibration. Amazingly, the roller chain kept it's tension and did not jump off the shaft sprockets.

With all this damage, I decided to completely strip the rake apart, repair & replace the broken bearings, parts, fasteners and welds, and repaint it. I finished the project a few weeks ago, and hope to use it on a job in the near future. It now runs with a minimum of vibration & noise.

Another issue with the rake was moving it off the tractor. I was able to make a dolly that the main bar roller sits in, from 1 1/2" square tubing w/ casters, that allows me to move the rake around the garage with a push, instead of lifting it with the backhoe.

I share this with you, as you may appreciate the work to rebuild this, and might be inspired to fix up an old neglected attachment that you presently own. The cost for this was around $350.00 in parts, compared to $7000.00-9000.00 for a new unit. Also, by doing this project, I have been able to put off finishing a bathroom at home, much to my wife's displeasure.

I'll attempt to attach some before & after photo's.

WALT

 

[kennyd]

Nice:thumbsup:

 

[Johndeere3720]

Nice job. :thumbsup: Wish i had one. :drool:

 

[crbr]

Very nice job. I'd love to own a HR at a reasonable price too, but at the ~$8K - $10k for limited use, I can't justify it.

Good looking restoration and piece of equipment.

 

[mmurphy]

TBN'ers

After many hours of work, I have finally reassembled an old TR-35 Harley rake, that I bought used 7-8 years ago. I used it on a job in April, and noticed it was vibrating alot. I was able to finish the job, got it back to my garage, and took a close look at it.

The bottom bar roller pillow block bearing casting had broke, and the end shaft was carving a oblong groove in the gear case. The main frame weld next to the gear case had also broken which was the reason for the vibration. Amazingly, the roller chain kept it's tension and did not jump off the shaft sprockets.

With all this damage, I decided to completely strip the rake apart, repair & replace the broken bearings, parts, fasteners and welds, and repaint it. I finished the project a few weeks ago, and hope to use it on a job in the near future. It now runs with a minimum of vibration & noise.

Another issue with the rake was moving it off the tractor. I was able to make a dolly that the main bar roller sits in, from 1 1/2" square tubing w/ casters, that allows me to move the rake around the garage with a push, instead of lifting it with the backhoe.

I share this with you, as you may appreciate the work to rebuild this, and might be inspired to fix up an old neglected attachment that you presently own. The cost for this was around $350.00 in parts, compared to $7000.00-9000.00 for a new unit. Also, by doing this project, I have been able to put off finishing a bathroom at home, much to my wife's displeasure.

I'll attempt to attach some before & after photo's.

WALT

I am glad to know I am not the only one getting them type of looks from the general!!!!! Ooohhh, looks nice.

 

[Taxidermist]

Nice Job!!!! I also love the fire hydrants in the back ground.


Rob

 

[F250DSLPWR]

Nice Job on the repair / restore.

 

[Zemetis]

Very Nice! I just came accorss a Pro 8 that may need some rebuild. I am thinking of replacing the roller with one with carbide teeth. Can you point me to a reliable parts source for it?

 

[WALT]

Sorry for the late reply. The only parts that I replaced were the main bearings/pillowblock castings. From what I have read here & other sources, the older bar roller style that I have, leaves a different finish that the newer carbide tooth roller.

You may be able to buy a new style roller from Harley, which is owned by the Paladin group, but be prepared to pay a premium price. The lower roller bearings that I replaced, I bought locally from a bearing supplier for $65.00 each. The exact same Torrington/Fafnir bearing was $279.99 from the local Harley Rake dealer.

Another note when you replace the bottom roller. The pillow block bearing holders have oval bolt holes, I guess for adjustment. When I tensioned the gear box chain, my lower roller axle was pulled up 1/2"-3/4" wearing another groove in the steel back wall of the gear case, loosening the chain with use.
After figuring out the problem, I repositioned the bearing holders to the proper position, and made 1/2" spacers from long bolts, filling the oval bolt holes, to prevent the roller/bearing carrier from being pulled up by the chain tension in use. The bolt spacer fills the space between the clamping bolts and the oval casting hole.

Good Luck if you take on the project, the new retail Harley Rakes are $$$$$$.

WALT

 

[Zemetis]

Thanks; I'll post my work when it is complete someday. I actually read in a different place that there are some advantages to the older rollers and that they may leave a better finish as no debris is wrapping around the carbide tips.