Rake Sheared off bolt in Woods Rake LR-72

chrise · Sep 25, 2004

Hi

I have a Woods rake LR-72. While operating on a cleared area (no trees or other objects to snag on) the 1" thick bolt connecting the rake to the A-frame on top, sheared off inside the lower rake hole. The dealer said to bang it through and replace it, which I tried with no success. After some discussion it turned out this particular batch doesn't have a separate 1" nut to tighten the bolt, but the nut is welded into the rake assembly itself, so the remains of the bolt can't be banged out.

This is an obvious factory defect and it is still under warranty so I wondering whether it is better to take it back in case the thread is damaged. I'm a bit fed up that the dealer (and the manual that came with the rake) said there was a separate nut and so could be dealt with by banging out the remains of the bolt. The dealer is 90 miles away though so a local solution is better if possible.

I guess I could try an easy-out but drilling the remains of the bolt is proving very difficult. And my main concern is that the nut attached to the frame might be damaged as I say. Any thoughts?

Chris

KennyV · Sep 26, 2004

Hi Chris … If you can I’d take it back… There is NOTHING easy about an easy-out…

If you are going to try it anyway, use a left hand twist drill bit to make your pilot hole, many times the drill will remove a broken bolt. You can use a regular right hand twist if you have access to the bottom of the bolt. It will screw the broken piece back out of fixed nut.
Is it a grade 8 bolt? If so drilling a hole may not be easy either…

OR if you have a welder handy, just grind it flat, set a nut on it and weld inside the nut… you then can use a wrench to turn the broken piece out. This is assuming that you have not damaged the threads trying to ‘bang it out’.
Myself… I might think how relaxing the 180 mile round trip could be compared to broken swivel bolts… Also if you return it, can you get the model that has a replaceable nut/bolt? I’d definitely swap if that’s offered… after all you will probably be doing this again unless you can figure why this one broke.

Enjoy... either way I think you will be spending the best part of a day addressing this problem /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif. KennyV.

ronjhall · Sep 26, 2004

Chris
Have you checked Land Pride Manuals online. It looks like there is a change in the way Land Pride makes the rakes. You didn't mention which model you have. My LR1584 has the welded stud.

chrise · Sep 26, 2004

Kenny, I think you're right. Of course it is 2 round trips - one to drop it off, one to pick it up - but as you say, probably less hassle. I wonder if Woods even make them with the built-in nut any more. And yes it is a Grade 8 and it is very tough to drill into. Hey, it's apple time - might be able to get a bushel of crisp New Hampshire apples on the way. Thanks.