Costly Weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RoyJackson · Sep 13, 2005

( If I'm not mistaken, can't you weld aluminum with special equipment in the presence of an inert gas (Argon, I think) to keep the metal from burning up? )

Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding is what you're talking about.
As far as the success of a repair...that will depend upon the preparation.
One problem with welding aluminum is the conductivity...it really conducts heat. This means it's not an "on tractor" repair.

Properly prepped and preheated, there's a good chance of success. Cleaning of the areas to be welded is of paramount importance...and that can be tough with a casting.

This is a job for a professional, BTW.

Sarge · Sep 14, 2005

Just to give an update, 1st repair with JB weld didn't hold under the pressure from the oil. 2nd repair by tapping out hole a placing a small set screw in there (like an oil pan plug) covered with JB weld. No good, blew out like no tomorrow /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif. Finally somebody on TBN recommended "MUGGY WELD", so I watched the videos and ordered. Worked like a champ and did not have to take it off the tractor and was done it about 3 minutes /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. Started up, no leaks, pushed pedal, barely moves /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif. Although we checked thoroughly before putting the set screw in for clearance on the inside of the case, we didn't check to see what happens when you push on the pedal and the shaft that goes thru the case spins (obviously there must be a lobe/bolt etc.. that hits the set screw as it spins) /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif. Now I have to start over and my head mechanic is out of town for a couple of weeks. It's going to be well over a month without my tractor and running out of good weather. Thumbs up for Muggy Weld.

JimR · Sep 14, 2005

( I know nothing about welding but I didn't think you could weld aluminum /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif )

You can stick, mig, tig and torch weld aluminum. I hear that there is also a new type of rod that came out that will melt with a plumbers torch.

slowrev · Sep 14, 2005

Yep , those little aluminum soldering sticks work pretty well too. Should be good for a non high strength application. MAPP gass torch seems to work better than a standard propane torch unless the material being soldered is thin.

Ben

normde2001 · Sep 15, 2005

Do you really need that set screw? Have you run the tractor since the damage was done? What are the chances that some interior damage was done causing you problems?

trlong · Sep 15, 2005

Norm (and Sarge),

To preface, I know nothing of welding, other than if you are going to weld alluminum you want a very practiced, professional welder.

I think there has been a lot of good advise here but, my concern, from Sarge's original posts and pic of the hole, has been that the hole was poked INTO the case. Without removal of that section of the case, how does any one know that the inside surface is not pushed up into an area where there could be interference with a moving part? Perhaps cast alluminum (if that's what it is) would not curl upward, or leave burrs inside the case, or shards of the steel rod? However, rather than risk further damage I would want to know what the inside of that case looked like and be sure there were no fragments or burrs. Ofcourse, it's real easy to spend some one else's money. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Just my uninformed opinion.

Tom

Sarge · Sep 16, 2005

You're right, I don't really need the set screw. We thought that the set screw would help fill the gap and add some strength. As soon as my friend comes back we are taking it out and starting over. Also , we cleaned the inside of the case out very well and removed any upward pointing metal. I'll keep everybody informed soon.

Thanks all

normde2001 · Sep 16, 2005

"Started up, no leaks, pushed pedal, barely moves ."

Unless that set screw is 2-3" long, from looking at the piece that broke off in the transmission, I would be more concerned about transmission damage than the hole in the case. Is there any kind of temp patch you can put over the hole to hold fluid long enough to test the tranny?

trlong · Sep 16, 2005

Sarge,

I'm glad you got the inside cleaned and checked. Good luck with the repair.

Sarge · Sep 19, 2005

The set screw is only about 3/4" into the case. The stake never made it all the way into the case. But it doesn't mean there wasn't any damage. The tractor runs great in reverse as the pedal goes all the way down. Wednesday I'm going to drill it out and I'll know for sure, but I'm feeling confident that it's the set screw.