Braze or Weld Creeper Housing?

[bigwheel]

Hi

I have a Rhino 224 with a broken creeper housing. This is the housing that consists of the bellhousing and the hi-lo range selector gears. It is broken where it bolts to the transmission.

Should I attempt to weld it? Or braze it? I've heard that a lot of the Chinese cast iron is difficult to weld.

I plan on putting a solid piece of plate steel across the tops of the creeper housing and the transmission housing for added strength.

Thanks for the help.

Marty

 

[Affordable]

Since the creeper is what holds the tractor together ,I think you should replace it.If the weld breaks and the tractor splits you will have alot of repairs to make.We prob. have the creeper housing in stock.Give us a call at 979-865-4002 if you want pricing.Depending on how many hours you have you may want to replace the clutch assembly while you have it apart.We will need the engine model #,dual stage clutch ?

Tommy
Affordable Tractor Sales

 

[john_bud]

Welding cast iron takes skill. Welding cheap China cast made up of random melted Buicks and bridges takes skill and luck!

If you do try and repair it, you may want to pay a pro to do it. It will need to be heated to a high temperature (1000F-ish), welded hot and thermally treated to keep it from hardening. You will know it was done improperly when it cools and you hear it cracking....That's how I learned it was not easy to weld cast!

jb

 

[bigwheel]

I would LOVE to replace it rather than repair it. I've been calling around and checking for one and can't locate one anywhere. I called your number and Jerry is looking for a housing for me. I hope he finds one!

thanks
Marty

Since the creeper is what holds the tractor together ,I think you should replace it.If the weld breaks and the tractor splits you will have alot of repairs to make.We prob. have the creeper housing in stock.Give us a call at 979-865-4002 if you want pricing.Depending on how many hours you have you may want to replace the clutch assembly while you have it apart.We will need the engine model #,dual stage clutch ?

Tommy
Affordable Tractor Sales

 

[bigwheel]

Thanks - that's one of the reasons I'm wondering if brazing it will be more successful.

Marty

Welding cast iron takes skill. Welding cheap China cast made up of random melted Buicks and bridges takes skill and luck!

If you do try and repair it, you may want to pay a pro to do it. It will need to be heated to a high temperature (1000F-ish), welded hot and thermally treated to keep it from hardening. You will know it was done improperly when it cools and you hear it cracking....That's how I learned it was not easy to weld cast!

jb

 

[tommu56]

bigwheel

Years ago I welded my Gravely sickle bar mower casing with out any problems I got some Magna Industrial Co. Limited - Magna welding rods and they worked with out any problem on an ac buzz box.

I would give it a shot and if its structural maby make fab up a weldment to carry the load?


I have repaired some pump cases at work with the same type rod or

If its not structural devcon epoxy or pc7 Devcon | A line of polymers used to repair metal and bond metal in a structural application. | leak repair, tank repair, fix holes, dents

tommu56

 

[Soundguy]

Thanks - that's one of the reasons I'm wondering if brazing it will be more successful.

Marty

Sure.. brazing will stick and not crack, and prevent leaks.. but i wouldn't want a bead of brass holding my tractor together int he middle.. would you?

soundguy

 

[john_bud]

Thanks - that's one of the reasons I'm wondering if brazing it will be more successful.

Marty

My opinion....

Either you already know how to successfully weld cast and you can do it yourself, or you should jump on the phone book and find a shop that speciallizes in hot welding cast and has the ovens to thermally treat it from the weld temp to room temp (a 1-2 day process). Brass is nice, but not structural.

I was quoted about $150 a crack. It had to be stripped down and brought in bare, they would grind it correctly, heat the whole casting, weld hot, add structural support to stop future cracks and oven cool it correctly for 48 hours. There were 2 large cracks. I found a replacement housing for $75....

jb