Ok implement gurus.....how do I fix this????

[PineRidge]

Don't mind it near as much if I damage my own implement as if someone else does it for me.

Straighten, re weld, replace the pins and it should be as good as new.

Tell the neighbor the next time he asks to borrow an implement, "Thanks, but no thanks."

 

[greg_g]

Depending on soil type, you should be able to turn a small disc harrow like that without lifting at every turn. Of course if it's working pulverized/sandy soil or loam - with the discs buried to the hilt - common sense should prevail. In more typical conditions where penetration 50% or less - AND it's mounted properly - it should corner without lifting. As with any harrowing implement, avoiding radical U-turns comes under the category of common sense.

But the person ultimately responsible for the damage is the one that mounted it on the tractor without adjusting the lower lift arms properly. If they were tightened to pin spread as they should have been, the working angles that caused this damage should not have occurred. The left pin (in the photo) was also loose in it's hole when the harrow was mounted to the tractor. That's about the only way that pins bend in that manner. That bent pin is almost certainly what aggravated the damage to the other side. The operator should always check lift pins for tightness before an implement is mounted. A quick check is to look at the lock washer. If the split is closed, it's a pretty good bet the pin bolt is tight enough.

The operator though, must share some blame as well. Watching the implement as it works could have at least limited this damage before it got to the point we see in your photos.

That said, the pin bracket on that particular harrow is of a p-poor design in the first place. Once you get the OE brackets straightened, you might consider reinforcement. One way is to weld flatstock between the brackets, limiting their range of motion; one bracket reinforces the other. The other way is to weld an additional pair of identical brackets, one each alongside the existing pair. The lift arm swivel balls fit between (and are pinned to) a pair of brackets - instead of just one. Or you could do both; flatstock reinforcement AND double pin brackets.

//greg//

 

[TwinWillows]

Lent out & tore up = borrower fixes it to my satisfaction!

 

[Mrwurm]

I had a similiar thing happen to my 3pt carryall. Using an oxy/acetylene torch, I could not apply enough heat to even begin to bend it back into shape. I ended up cutting out the damaged area and welding in a new piece.

 

[sandman2234]

MrWurm,
That is one reason for straightening it cold, no heat.
david


As far as the person responsible for the damage, I won't guess. Most of my friends have the same rule. Borrow it, return it in the same shape or better than you borrowed it. If it had half a tank of gas, return it with more than that. If you tear it up, you must fix it better than it was.
When it comes to my tools and such, I usually am particular as to who gets to work on it. I don't want just anybody firing up a torch and welder and working on my implements. Usually takes me longer to fix some peoples mistakes after they fixed them, than to just do it myself the first time.

With that said, some of my friends can fix them BETTER than I ever will be able to, but they have been in the fabrication business for 40 years.
David from jax

 

[firemanpat2910]

I am with the cold long pipe wrench with a cheater crowd. Just "fixed" a box blade for a buddy of mine. Ugliest job I ever did ,the arms that go up to the top link had beeen bent & straightened so many times they look like a noodle. We got this one functional but ugly. Left side curves inward,right side goes outward. But it works. I dont know if I would weld all the way down the seam or just use a couple of 2" spots like they did. At least that gives you a break point that wont twist the tube frame. Oh and I agree the pin was loose to start with.

 

[Dan239]

If you were close to my place I would tell you to put it on a trailer and bring it over and I would straighten it in a few minutes. I would use what we called a PortaPower in the body shop and push it in line easily. It would take longer to rig it up than to push it back into place. Find someone who has a 10 ton PortaPower and knows how to use it and your job will be simple. Then you can weld and strengthen it to your satisfaction.

Daniel

 

[leeinmemphis]

thanks guys. I went and bought the replacement pins today. I looked at it again today and I'm hoping to be able to take a come along or something to straighten it back and then weld it up. I'll let you guys know how it comes out. Thanks again!

 

[sandman2234]

What size pins did you buy? Class I or Class II??
David from jax

 

[leeinmemphis]

I bought some class 2 pins from Tractor supply on Friday. Thanks.