ebinmaine 72,946 #1 Posted December 17, 2021 This question arises in particular because of the hole where the plow solid link is connected to the rock shaft on one of my C-160s and also Trina's 867. Over the decades of usage that hole has become wallowed out some. I'm wondering if it's okay to increase the size of that hole to a 7/16 just by rounding it out a little. While doing that I would make a couple of solid links that had 7/16 pins or grade 8 bolts with solid shoulders. Good idea? Am I just making a weaker link somewhere down the chain? Any thoughts? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 9,305 #2 Posted December 17, 2021 @ebinmaine think if I was going to round out a hole , put in a bronze bushing and firm things up ,a t pin mount point . just a thought , pete 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpinnc 14,678 #3 Posted December 17, 2021 And check the bolt holes where the tower mounts to the frame- very closely on the 867. I've had more than a few towers break right at or just above those bolt holes. But to answer your question: I've been thinking of something similar on the whatchamacallit build. Two links with a pin might solidify things and definitely help avoid misaligned binding. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 72,946 #4 Posted December 17, 2021 1 hour ago, kpinnc said: check the bolt holes where the tower mounts to the frame- very closely on the 867 Great reminder. Thanks! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 72,946 #5 Posted December 17, 2021 1 hour ago, peter lena said: bronze bushing and firm things I figured on using a steel pin the same size as the hole. Bronze a better way to go, you think? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 9,305 #6 Posted December 17, 2021 @ebinmaine how about a same size roll pin , never seize , lube 3 lb hammer , pete 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 14,126 #7 Posted December 17, 2021 Steel on steel can last a long time if appropriately lubed. Even in a busy life, that joint will get only a few hundred cycles per year. The shoulder bolt makes sense to distribute the force by avoiding threads-and using a Nylock nut would let you keep it nice and snug between good washers. If you really want to "gild the lily", you'd balance the load by twinning the downlink so there was no twist to the interaction between the link and the rock shaft arm . 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 72,946 #8 Posted December 17, 2021 49 minutes ago, Handy Don said: twinning the downlink Seems to me that solid link pin comes out of one side on one end and the other side at the other end so it isn't a straight shot but I could make up 2 links with a Z. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 14,126 #9 Posted December 17, 2021 3 hours ago, ebinmaine said: Seems to me that solid link pin comes out of one side on one end and the other side at the other end so it isn't a straight shot but I could make up 2 links with a Z. If I had a welder (someday...) I'd consider welding the bolt heads (top and bottom?) to the link bar so the bolt is held perpendicular--easier than trying to simulate a clevis with twinned links as long as there's enough room to install/remove at both ends. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lee1977 7,221 #10 Posted December 19, 2021 (edited) Here is one I made. It's for a home made grader blade so it might not work with WH equipment. The fixed off set is the top end. Had to build an extended adapter at the bottom for the raised 312 as it didn't quite reach the ground affter I changed to 8" wheels. Edited December 19, 2021 by Lee1977 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 14,126 #11 Posted December 19, 2021 Jumping back onto the topic (oops), I would not use hardened hardware unless there was another sacrificial/replaceable part protecting the rock shaft from further wear. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lee1977 7,221 #12 Posted December 19, 2021 The wear is from 40 or 50 years of use don't think the hardness of the pin will make much difference. If you are worried about it use a little oil or grease. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites