Follow up to adding filler metal to a worn tillage tool. Advice needed.

boomer1025 · Jun 26, 2014

Depending on the price of replacements, some AR plate and a shop with a CNC table might be an option. Have any medium or heavy truck body companies around. They sometimes have pieces of frame rails that they cut off when installing bodies.

sixdogs · Jun 26, 2014

Wow, lots of good conversation here on things I never even thought about.

The blades spin fairly slow and since it's 540 PTO speed I don't think they are spinning faster than that. If a piece broke of I don't see any way it could get out from under the machine. The housing is built over the tines, fully enclosed in the back and on the sides and the front has a steel roller in the way.

The welding shop is a Mennonite family and they are modestly priced and do excellent work. If they weld something it is going t o look good and stay stuck. While I likely could weld these on my own, I'm not sure I have the skill or the MIG power. You guys are pros and by the time I got the learning curve figured out I would be at tine #109. It's worth it to me to pay a pro.

I can't get in until next week to see them and I will report back on the progress. As well, know that I don't have to build up the entire edge back to where it was and even a modest amount of material will be helpful. I'm also searching for an aftermarket blade but so far, no luck.

Thank you all.

Arc weld · Jun 26, 2014

What kind of welding do the Mennonites do? If they do TIG, they could probably do a nice job welding another little piece on and not have to grind the weld. The extra piece could be a harder steel like stainless. Even mild steel steel could be flame hardened to give longer wear.

CNC Dan · Jun 27, 2014

I finally found a video that shows this technique:
Mig Welding Techniques for Edge Welds - YouTube

Arc weld · Jun 27, 2014

Good video.

I think he used a longer stickout so he could film what he was doing better. Notice he was pulling the gun. Usually with MIG you push to get a wider, flatter bead but since he wanted to build the edge up, pulling will give a higher bead. On a harder/ higher carbon steel, a little preheat would be a good idea. You don't want the built up area breaking off.

square1 · Jun 27, 2014

Depending on the price of replacements, some AR plate and a shop with a CNC table might be an option

2nd. You have the pattern, see how much a job shop would charge to build new. It has to be far less labor intensive.

sixdogs · Jun 27, 2014

Arc weld said:
What kind of welding do the Mennonites do? If they do TIG, they could probably do a nice job welding another little piece on and not have to grind the weld. The extra piece could be a harder steel like stainless. Even mild steel steel could be flame hardened to give longer wear.

I've got 110 of these. They can do TIG, but prefer MIG. One would be no problem but 110 probably not be cost effective.

square1 said:
2nd. You have the pattern, see how much a job shop would charge to build new. It has to be far less labor intensive.

That's a thought.

When I talk to them next week i'm going to see about just adding a little bit of metal as well.

Big Barn · Jun 27, 2014

sixdogs said:
I've got 110 of these. They can do TIG, but prefer MIG. One would be no problem but 110 probably not be cost effective. That's a thought. When I talk to them next week i'm going to see about just adding a little bit of metal as well.

I too, like these options. Hopefully you can get a a good price, but I can't help but think that the cost would be at least 60 -80% of your $15 OEM price. Maybe continue looking for aftermarket blades. Ryan and Land Pride also make over seeders (slit seeders). There a small chance they may fit. Anyway, good luck.

Terry

sixdogs · Jun 27, 2014

Thanks Big Barn and others that suggested to look at the Land Pride blade from their seeder. This is early on but it sure looks like the same part. I'll have to compare things a little better but if the same part---and less expensive--I have a viable alternative to welding. In looking at the part with someone from Land Pride, I found them to be very helpful and really first class. They couldn't help me enough. What a great company.

This is great and thanks to all of you so much. From having no good options two days ago I now understand the welding issues and concerns and probably have a good alternative in a replacement blade. TBN has some pretty smart guys. Thanks again.