Breaking old attachments for parts

[Mith]

OK, heres the deal.
Down the road there is a field with lots of old farm machinery in it. The machinery has been sitting there for a good many years. Today the owner offered if I would like to go and take any parts that I might want. Initially there is a topper (bush hog) that she knows I can take bits off. She didnt know what parts from other equipment I could have, so start with the topper.

Anyway, as you can imagine its quite rusty. I'm thinking I'd like the blades and gearbox, and the PTO shaft. The question is, how am I going to go about removing these bits?
There is no way to lift or move this equipment whole. Its big stuff, 6-7' wide. I can probably get my tractor down there, but its nowhere near big enough to move this stuff.

Any ideas how to get the bits out? There isnt any power for tools, unless I get the generator out there.

Thanks

 

[bigtiller]

A cutting torch would be about the fastest. But it could destroy some parts that the next guy may want. You will probably need a torch anyway just to get the nuts off the bolts.

 

[MossRoad]

I'd agree with the torch idea. If the items are going to be scrapped anyway, and you want some of the parts, ask the owner if it is O.K to cut them up. You can then take the parts home and work on them there. The pieces remaining in the field can be hauled out easier in pieces and sold for scrap. Use the money you get from the scrap yard to pay for the gas used in the torch and give the owner any profits if any money is left over. Her field will be left clean, you will have parts, something will be recycled and everybody wins.

As for getting the parts apart, you could try that electo rust removing method shown here last month by Pineridge. In this thread...

Take it all off.

 

[Egon]

Three sturdy poles for a tripod, some chain, a chain hoist and two gallons of sweat should allow you access to the wanted parts. After that its a torch [ no Mith not a flashlight] , grinder, nut breaker, large hammer, long extension for breaker bars and another two gallons of sweat.

 

[Slamfire]

And a wedge to pin the blades, so they don't turn while you're crankin' on that rusty nut/bolt.

 

[bx23barry]

I'd haul the engine hoist down there and load in the back of the truck. Bring the whole thing home and play with it in the shop. But the torch is a good way if ya know what ya want. Of course we used to just use hand tools (amazing what ya can do with a box wrench/hammer/bar) but I guess nowadays the kids need all them fancy air tools.

 

[jinman]

There is no way to lift or move this equipment whole. Its big stuff, 6-7' wide. I can probably get my tractor down there, but its nowhere near big enough to move this stuff.

Jim, I guess I'm a little baffled that you would "need" this stuff if you don't have a tractor big enough to move it. I'm probably missing something...normal for me.

 

[Mith]

Thanks for all the ideas.

Jim, I dont actually want the stuff whole, but say a gearbox off a rotary cutter would be handy to have kicking around. And all the PTO shafts have universal joints on them, that are useful. Also lots of bearings, sheet steel......