Disc Harrow old disc repair

[MORRISONSTEEL]

Hi. I am trying to repair an old disc I acquired. The disc axles go through two housings that seem as though they should have a bearing, though there is no bearing, just some sort of liner of unknown material. The housing and the liner are round, though the axle is square. Any information on how this works would be much appreciated. I am attaching some photos.

Square gangs with round hole bearings is not terribly unusual. Deere has done it for decades on tandem discs. Yours kind of looks farmerized. If really wanting to repair I would go with 1 1/8 sq gang (this will give you a huge selection of disc blades, and there are also lots of companies that will put whatever hole size you want in a disc), from there the round hole bearing simply rides on a piece of pipe that matches the appropriate disc spacing in relationship to bearing location (the act of tightening the gang is what keeps the pipe from wearing on the gang). Steel bearing flanges can simply be bolted to your original standards (looks like you have enough material). I have also spoken to many an individual over the years with a really hard chunk of plastic/rubber insisting it is some form of a bearing or seal, when in reality it was just twine (or something similar) that got wrapped up in there and over the years of getting hot, then cold, then hot, etc, eventually this wad of twine (that we all know can snake its way into anything) now really really resembles a manufactured part when it is really just molded plastic from its environment. And as another mentioned chemically soaked wood was used many moons ago for bearings. If you wanted to see some parts images of sq gang w/ rd brgs look at Deere tandems like say a 230-235 disc. Then again it may be more work and cost than the old girl is worth and might just look for another unit. Good luck

 

[cedar21]

Thanks for the information and advice. The rubber looking material is in all of the housings that the disc axles run through, so it must be there on purpose. I have not had the time to get into trying to get it out of the housing yet. It was missing a disc, and that is what started the process of taking it apart. For $350.00, I guess I should not have expected much. I bought it sight unseen, and the frame broke within the first 10 feet I pulled it. The ad had said it was ready to work. I did actually use it with the one missing disc. It was certainly better than no disc at all. Still hoping to try to fix it.

 

[cedar21]

The rubber looking material could be greased soaked wood. There is a metal tube inside of the material, that runs through the housing. This is what the axle was riding inside of.

 

[M5farms]

looks like a homemade bearing. with a liner and huge amount of grease . If it were mine I would make new hangers and put a real bearing in it . the issue will be finding the right spacers for each side of the bearing. Square shafts are the standard on these type of disc.

 

[downslope]

....The ad had said it was ready to work. Still hoping to try to fix it.

Are you sure the ad didn't say ready to work on?

 

[cedar21]

It should have said that.

 

[cedar21]

I just "Googled" wooden bearings, and found a picture of a disc that looks like the one I have. Am attaching the photo. It is on the "Yesterday's Tractors" website: Ford 9N, 2N & 8N Discussion Board - Re: Disc Harrows, Which One???

 

[countrybumpkin]

Woodex, bearing co may have them, or can at least make replacement ones, may not be cheap. I too would agree on not sticking a bunch of money into it, may even be able to find a few used blades to throw on it. Then sell it and look for a little better setup. Not sure of your plans for using it , but that too would come into the decision.

 

[cedar21]

I was going to use it to work about 2 or acres, in the spring and fall.

 

[2458n]

Thank you for posting on the old ford disc. Hooked my old 52 Dearborn on a telephone pole and of course bent the last disc. Put field rock on it till the 3pt. would barely lift it. Going fine until I turned and broke two of the blades. Fix will be 30 years later. If I can find the parts needed.