No argument from me about that.
I'm just compulsive about addressing the "perhapses" of anything I design. In my day job I design bearing compartments for aircraft engines, and I don't like fretting. Fretting is bad - I have seen the results.
I'm also not really familiar with the mechanical and physical properties of rare earth magnets. What happens to one if you slowly erode it into wear particles? Are the particles oxides? Will they be ferromagnetic & remain stuck to, or will they separate from the magnet an go wherever? Will they be abrasive? Do I want them circulating around in my engine or gearbox?
I know - it's just a tractor, not an airliner or fighter jet, but I would beat myself up thinking about that, late at night, so I use the epoxy and sleep well. Somehow, my wife puts up with this nonsense.
-Jim
Well gents, I went to Radio Shack today to procure some rare earth magnets. Lo and behold, Radio Shack has only one size and type available. It's a tad smaller than a 81mg low dose aspirin, and about the same shape only with sharp edges. I checked on line when I got home, and the web site shows the same. Launch Google....
These are the size and shape that look appropriate for the job.
Rod Magnets
This a quite educational site on the "rare earth" subject.
Rare-earth magnet - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jim,
And, these two pages will likely answer most of your unknowns, Though I certainly don't know how to drive all those charts. If you can deduce anything useful and interpret it for us non engineering types that would be appreciated.
Technical Specifications
Rod Magnet Pull Force Calculator
Jim, your concern with the fretting things is of course well founded in
experience and professional intuition. And, I would say very correct by what the Wiki info has to offer.
Logic would dictate that if particles of the fragile magnet were to get loose in the oil they would likely stick to the closest ferrous object, likely the plug itself. But if they DID go adrift they COULD end up in the gears, or bearings which would not be good. The transmission case on my
B20 is aluminum, so if the particles weren't attracted to drain plug or a shaft, then
life could be less good on the farm. Epoxy, definitely epoxy.....
Thanks for the thoughts,
Dennis