Top arm connecting plate woes...

[rockyridgefarm]

Got the Back and first two top holes drilled. It is fitting perfectly, and we have had perfect success locating the holes. I will have to have spacers for the forward tranny mounts, fron 1/4" to about 3/4"
Not bad considering two network techies were operating the machinery....

 

[rockyridgefarm]

here are some great pictures of Robf's machine. His bracket is done right, and demonstrates that this is an area that the original could be improved, some

Thanks Rob!

 

[rockyridgefarm]

and another....

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Robf took these pictures of his, but they woudn't post for him, I shrunk down the quality.
I hope he'll show more of his tractor, soon...

 

[clifst2310]

Those pics are similar to what I had in mind.

 

[roger_scotty]

Mike, thanks to you and Rob for posting those pictures. The repair looks to be better engineered than the original. I think that this is the idea that several people were trying to explain....the pictures do it perfectly.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Those are Rob's, and I like it. I did mine a little differantly, but then, I may have seen differant damage. My top plate extends to the front of the tranny. I'll post a pic, soon.

I may even build it over to match his. It is so easy to fab on the cnc plasma rig, and I think his design would be stronger on up forces. (mine doesn't extend as far down...)

 

[normde2001]

Rob, that is an excellent piece of fabrication. How in the world did you get all of your bolt holes to line up perfectly with the existing holes in your trans. housing?

 

[rockyridgefarm]

I drilled mine with a drill press. I marked them by putting chalk on the bolt heads then aligning the plate over them and using the chalk marks as my guide. The chalk really stood out and held up to the cutting oil. (always use cutting oil, and a pilot bit when drilling through such heavy stock) We cross checked by measuring. I expected to need corrections, but we were able to line up all of the holes correctly

Mine is still not as pretty as Rob's and I will post a pic sometime....

 

[Robf]

Norm,

Thanks, and am thrilled you like the fab job. Mike mentioned earlier he didn't have the time to put alot of extra effort into the design work and it does take time. I usually start by taking a piece of cardboard(none corregated) or heavy paper to make a template of what I need. I then remove bolts and stamp out the bolt holes right in the heavy paper. Then transfer it all to steel and start machining!! I will usually fit the pieces before I weld them together solid. I've been looking for my templates just in case Mike wanted them, but I think I already pitched them. Didn't know there would be another user in need of them.

Rob