Harrow Disc Replacement

[jlanglois]

I borrowed my neighbors disc harrow and I need to replace a disc that broke on my watch. I can't find a manufacturer's name on it.
The discs are 19 inches in diameter. There are 10 discs on the back row and what appears to be one long shaft running through them, with a 2 inch square nut on it.

1). Do I have to remove the shaft from all the discs to get to the one that needs replacement?
2). Will the bearings and assemblies remain intact when the shaft is removed or will things fall to pieces?
3). A nut that large looks challenging to remove. Any advice on that?

Thanks.

 

[ovrszd]

You didn't say where the broken disc (blade) is located on that row? In my neck of the woods, the "row" is called a "gang". The "disc" is called a blade.

So, unless the broken blade is next to the large nut, you are going to have to remove the nut, then pull the shaft until you reach the broken one.

Normally the bearings will slide off the gang shaft with little problem. The bearing assemblies are sealed, one piece units so nothing falls apart.

They are actually pretty easy to work on. Broken blades are common. Problem will be finding one the right size. I'm assuming there is some wear on the existing blades??

You are a good neighbor to fix it before returning.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I borrowed my neighbors disc harrow and I need to replace a disc that broke on my watch. I can't find a manufacturer's name on it.
The discs are 19 inches in diameter. There are 10 discs on the back row and what appears to be one long shaft running through them, with a 2 inch square nut on it.

1). Do I have to remove the shaft from all the discs to get to the one that needs replacement?
2). Will the bearings and assemblies remain intact when the shaft is removed or will things fall to pieces?
3). A nut that large looks challenging to remove. Any advice on that?

Thanks.

You will not find a new 19" blade, they are made in the even inch sizes. You need to get a new 18" or 20" blade for him. Take it apart, see what style and thickness you need and go here to get what you need.

It's easier than your thinking.

Good luck

 

[gwdixon]

You won't like the shipping from AgriSupply for disc pans. However, if there is a store nearby their prices are very good.

Another option is to call a local tractor dealer and ask them where to get the part. Expect it to be about $40.

The current pans may be 19" but they wear fairly quickly. It may have started out to be as much as 24". But a single replacement should be as close to the same size as the others in the gang as possible.

You must know the size of the axle to get the replacement. No guessing. It might be 1.5" square, but check to be sure. That means that the nut has to come off before proceeding.

Getting the nut off is always a challenge. Usually there is a "lock" washer on the inside of the nut to bend over and lock it on one of the nut's lands. But the nut will still be a bear to remove. I heat mine to dull red with a A/C torch and use an impact wrench with the correct impact socket (they are expensive in large sizes).

In your situation, with a square nut, there are very special 4-point sockets for that style. A 12-point socket MIGHT work but it also may just round off the nut. Square nuts indicate the advanced age of the disc and it has likely never been removed. My advice is to replace it with a six-sided nut.

You'll need the correctly sized wrench (or a giant pipe wrench, maybe a spud wrench) with a breaker bar. The whole disc gang may actually turn as you are trying to remove the nut. In that case, a very large pipe wrench can be used on the spacers between the pans to hold it in place with the wrench handle against the ground.

As a LAST and desperate resort, you can cut off the nut with a cutting torch. A large chisel would also work for cutting but would be labor intensive. While the nut is red hot, a chisel and drilling hammer can be used on a wing of the nut to drive the nut off by unscrewing it. It may take a couple of the square corners off with this method. The nut will be destroyed but at least it may come off.

Well, now you have lots of things to try. Hopefully, one method will work.

Oh, the bearings will not fall apart and you'll only need to remove and reinstall enough pans and spacers to get to the damaged part. The axle just slides out. (As already explained in a prior post.)

 

[countrybumpkin]

Have you told the guy who you borrowed it from, he more than likely has had to replace a blade or bearing before. So he could give you some help.

 

[MHarryE]

Object moved

Best source I have found for disc parts. Here is the page for disc blades, but they sell all kinds of parts - axle shafts, spools, bearings, etc. They also sell the large nuts in case you have to cut one off. Shipping is free if tour order is large enough. We usually find enough goodies we can't live without in order to make the free shipping target.

 

[Teachu2]

Also soak the threads down with penetrating oil a day before you start.

 

[Gem99ultra]

Object moved

Best source I have found for disc parts. Here is the page for disc blades, but they sell all kinds of parts - axle shafts, spools, bearings, etc. They also sell the large nuts in case you have to cut one off. Shipping is free if tour order is large enough. We usually find enough goodies we can't live without in order to make the free shipping target.

Great supply site MHarryE! That's a keeper. Thanks for the source, I need it.

 

[jeff9366]

Agri Supply in North Carolina has 348 pan SKUs in stock, this is a reduction from a couple years ago when they inventoried 548 pan SKUs:

Tillage, Tillage Tools, Cultivation, Cultivation Tools | Agri Supply

 

[jlanglois]

Thank you for the detailed replies. When I told my neighbor what I planned to do, he laughed and said he cracked the blade and until it breaks we will just keep using it as is.

 

[Industrial Toys]

A friend of mine just bought a 1" impact gun to deal with disk repairs. One socket costs $200.00! Just sayin. Parts is only half of it or so it seems.