Pat's Easy Change Adjustment bolt size on Pat's Easy Change and a short introduction for a new member

[Texasmark]

What about the U bolt? I don't think I ever saw a strength rating on one of those.....I'd certainly want to upgrade it too. On 5 vs 8, 8 is brittle and when it hits it's shear strength, it snaps. 2 just smears, and 5 is a happy medium. Using a grade 8 in a PTO shaft and getting a good whack, if of the right intensity will snap it. Same whack on a 2 and if it shears, it smeears, but a lot of times it will partially shear and hold for another whack or two before it breaks.

In talking about PTO bolts, I find that using a locking nut and not tightening the nut all the way down, allowing for some slack, especially in older equipment makes a bid difference in shearing vs holding regardless of the bolt strength. On Pats application, I don't see that much of a shear moment to hurt an 8....but who knows till you try it, which I think I will do while thinking about it.....probably go with a 5 as I have bins full of them.

 

[barrywlarson]

Thanks. Sounds like the audience says good grade 5 bolts are the way to go.

Cheers,

Barry

 

[fried1765]

What about the U bolt? I don't think I ever saw a strength rating on one of those.....I'd certainly want to upgrade it too. On 5 vs 8, 8 is brittle and when it hits it's shear strength, it snaps. 2 just smears, and 5 is a happy medium. Using a grade 8 in a PTO shaft and getting a good whack, if of the right intensity will snap it. Same whack on a 2 and if it shears, it smeears, but a lot of times it will partially shear and hold for another whack or two before it breaks.

In talking about PTO bolts, I find that using a locking nut and not tightening the nut all the way down, allowing for some slack, especially in older equipment makes a bid difference in shearing vs holding regardless of the bolt strength. On Pats application, I don't see that much of a shear moment to hurt an 8....but who knows till you try it, which I think I will do while thinking about it.....probably go with a 5 as I have bins full of them.

Even though it might seem to be so, I do not believe that the U bolt has frequently failed in the Pat's Easy Change system.
If the U bolt should fail, it would simply require the purchase of a new U bolt ( I think Pat's will send out a free new U bolt, or bolts if necessary).
If one of the 4 side bolts fails, it will require removing the mount, and then extracting the broken bolt from the casting.
Likely not terribly difficult, (unless it is a grade 8 replacement) but a real nuisance!

 

[Texasmark]

Even though it might seem to be so, I do not believe that the U bolt has frequently failed in the Pat's Easy Change system.
If the U bolt should fail, it would simply require the purchase of a new U bolt ( I think Pat's will send out a free new U bolt, or bolts if necessary).
If one of the 4 side bolts fails, it will require removing the mount, and then extracting the broken bolt from the casting.
Likely not terribly difficult, (unless it is a grade 8 replacement) but a real nuisance!

Just for grins, I ran numerous attempts through the google search engine and mild steel seems to be the only material from which most Ubolts are built. Mild steel comes in at Grade 2. On needed stronger or not, for an implement putting down pressure on the 3 pt, it's out of the circuit. It's the up lift I was thinking about since I am going to hang a 900#, side mounted drum mower off mine this spring and there is a lot of lifting "moment" on the left side when it is in the mow position and you lift it off the ground. Only other material was SS and it stopped at 3.5" length and Cat II Pats needs a 3/8x2.5x6.

 

[patenaud]

F.Y.I.

I just received my Pat's Quick Change Cat 1 today (June 18, 2021) and can confirm that the bolts that came with it are now Grade 5 (three bars on the bolt head).

Spread the word.



Denis

 

[fried1765]

F.Y.I.

I just received my Pat's Quick Change Cat 1 today (June 18, 2021) and can confirm that the bolts that came with it are now Grade 5 (three bars on the bolt head).

Spread the word.



Denis

A long overdue fix!

 

[TmbrWlkr]

A long overdue fix!

I lost/broke a u bolt (can’t remember now) on a Pats Cat 1. Field repaired with small bar stock and threaded rods. Doing a web search for Pats I was unable to find their actual address/contact info (only resellers)

Can anyone provide a direct contact #. ?

 

[CalG]

The "YAW" adjustment bolts (four per side) on my Cat 1 Pat's EZ change are 3/8-16 X 1 3/4" of full thread. Grade 5 (two inch Over All Length with the hex head.

I suggest taking these bolts or any replacements to the bench grinder and tapering the first three threads just a bit. The ends mushroom out when tightened against the lift arms.

 

[Root Cause]

As you consider using a better fastener, realize that engineers 'May' have specified a softer one so it becomes the shear point and thus cheaper and easier to replace than the next weakest link.

Not saying that what you are doing is wrong but rather something to think about what will break if the bolt does not. Best of luck.

 

[milkman]

I lost/broke a u bolt (can’t remember now) on a Pats Cat 1. Field repaired with small bar stock and threaded rods. Doing a web search for Pats I was unable to find their actual address/contact info (only resellers)

Can anyone provide a direct contact #. ?

Well, here you go.

greenwellmfg

Check out one of our new dealers http://www.ruralking.com/pats-easy-change-cat-1-w-bar.html

www.greenwellmfg.com