repairing landscape rake

[czechsonofagun]

While ago i built a landscaping rake using trailer spindle for the pivot. pretty soon the spindle snapped and i used it for a while just bolted together. Now i finally got the time to fix it. i was able to remove the broken spindle and the plan is to use just 1 inch bolt as pivot. Should i use grade 5 or grade 8 bolt? As of now, I am thinking 5 is enough and better - the green bolt from TSC.

Opinions?

I am not starting any grade 5 vs grade 8 flamewar, please

 

[MJPetersen]

Probably grade 5 would work, but I believe that you should go with the little extra cost and go with grade 8. The wear and stiffness factor in my thinking warrant it.

I built RB this past winter (I will be posting the process in the future) and I learned the hard way how much stress these things can take if we snag a corner. While the rake should create less stress than the blade there is still a measure of mechanical advantage. It is for these reasons that I believe that the center pin should be as strong as possible.

Mike

 

[3RRL]

I agree with Mike.
You might as well go with the grade 8 for the same reason you were thinking of going with the grade 5, except it's better yet.

 

[LetsRoll]

I built RB this past winter (I will be posting the process in the future) and I learned the hard way how much stress these things can take if we snag a corner. While the rake should create less stress than the blade there is still a measure of mechanical advantage. It is for these reasons that I believe that the center pin should be as strong as possible.

Mike

I completely agree 100%. I broke mine as well and rewelded it and a year later, it broke again. So, I machined a bigger pin and sleeve and no problems since to report. Here is my thread about my broken pin.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/customization/79926-busted-landscaping-rake-rock-rake.html

 

[czechsonofagun]

My reasoning for 5 was, that the original spindle broke on shear pressure, apparently it was too brittle for this application.

I believe grade 5 will bent before it shears unlike grade 8 is going to shear before it bents. But I did my research:

Grade 8 vs Grade 5 - Pirate4x4.Com Bulletin Board

and your opinion counts too, of course and grade 8 it is gonna be

Thank you

 

[czechsonofagun]

Well, I got it fixed. Ain't really pretty, but it works and holds the load.

I had to cut out the old spindle with grinder, thats why the hole is square. I added and tackled one more nut in the middle of the bolt to have something to weld the top plate to.

 

[bx24]

Looks great ... but I think it is time to invest in an oxy/acetylene torch! How much do you figure it cost you to make it in the first place? Would you do it again?

 

[MJPetersen]

Beauty is not so necessary as function. If it does the job it is a job well done!!

Mike

 

[czechsonofagun]

Looks great ... but I think it is time to invest in an oxy/acetylene torch! How much do you figure it cost you to make it in the first place? Would you do it again?

Tough question. I had some steel laying around from my trailer and tire carrier, the whole 3pt arm was made from it. I had to buy the angle iron for the rake and the tines of course.

Yes, I would do it again - but not with the trailer spindle. I think i still put it together for less than half of what TSC sells rakes for.

 

[bx24]

Tough question. I had some steel laying around from my trailer and tire carrier, the whole 3pt arm was made from it. I had to buy the angle iron for the rake and the tines of course.

Thats what I wanted to hear! (I have been kicking around the idea of building one, but I am dreading drilling all those holes)