1963 Ford 2000 Industrial Broken Hydraulic Cover casting

[Dan Shields]

Just as the title says. I'm working on repairing my top hydraulic cover.

Tractor Specifics:
1963 Ford 2000 Industrial
4 cyl. gas, 4 speed

I'd like to eventually find a new cover but right now I'm giving it a go on repairing what I've got since they seem to be hard to come by or I've been looking in the wrong place. Here are some pictures of the tractor and then the aftermath of some poor thinking.









I've started welding on it already and it is definitely a pretty nasty casting.

Me being a newb, I didn't know what to look for on these tractors when I made the purchase. It seemed to be a great deal at $4k so I test drove and made sure everything was operational. Overall I was very pleased, unbeknown to me there was a gremlin lurking under the seat. Apparently this was a pre-existing problem that someone tried to patch with good ole JB weld. It sheared off the back 4 bolts on the cover, good times .

My thoughts:
1. Try welding this thing back together. It's pretty nasty but worth a try.
2. After welding it up, build a girdle to bolt on top of the back half of the cover to tie it all together again because we all know welded cast doesn't hold very well.
3. Keep searching for a replacement cover because this one will probably break again or it may last forever.


My question:
1. Has anyone had a similar issue? If so, what did they do to resolve it short of buying a replacement cover?

Any help/guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Dan Shields

 

[City Farmer]

That's one heck of a break! Was there a sharp turn while using some type of ground engaging equipment? I always try my best to repair things when they break but I wouldn't take a shot at that, I'd find a used one. Arc Welding cast iron won't hold up, it will just break again. You could braze and re-machine as a last resort but that's a lot of work.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Get a used one is my thought too.

 

[Soundguy]

that'l never be the same.. get a used cover.

they aren't THAT rare....

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Ford Tractor Parts, Ford Backhoe Parts, Ford Industrial Parts

 

[Stimw]

For starters, it might be CAST STEEL, very weldable! Cast Iron, many hoops to jump through even with experience!
You need to have a shaft going through the two bushings to keep them in line and even then you will have heat distortion.
You have nothing to loose but your time so I would try it BUT it's not a place to practice your welding skills.

 

[Soundguy]

For starters, it might be CAST STEEL, very weldable! Cast Iron, many hoops to jump through even with experience!
You need to have a shaft going through the two bushings to keep them in line and even then you will have heat distortion.
You have nothing to loose but your time so I would try it BUT it's not a place to practice your welding skills.

that cover is very weldable.. but that is a bad break.

I'd never trust it carrying a load.. it will break when you nee dit or have a hay bale lifted in the air and hit a bump in the pasture.

repalcement parts are TOO available to try to fix something where the darn cover broke in half!

 

[joecdeere]

You are going to be sitting right there!
Several years and models will fit.
Replace!

 

[Soundguy]

YUP. LIFT COVERS FROM 55-64 FIT...

 

[Dan Shields]

Would have gotten back sooner but it's been a hectic day at the office so far.

Thanks for the link!

I've been looking on ebay but I guess I'm not using the right search criteria. I've found 3 different top plates but they don't have the same plate on the front of the cover that mine does.

Yea, pretty sure I've given up on welding this thing. I got it all finished up and just as the cool down process went I heard the dreadful POP. Game over haha. I continue the search for a replacement cover as suggested.

Thanks guys!
Dan Shields