Fixing cast iron part

Steve B · 2011-04-14T05:15:14+00:00

My neighbor called me this evening about welding a cast part on the steering mechanism of his tractor. It was dark, so I haven't been able to go out and look at it. I shall look at it on my way out tomorrow on my way to Vegas. He's going to check on the cost and availability of the part tomorrow, also, then Friday, we'll pow wow and decide to try to fix or get a new one.I have welded cast before, but never correctly. What I welded were dissimilar metals, as in spindle tops on ornamental metal, which cracked off easily when he kids hit them with sticks, or I bumped them during installation I have never preheated, welded with Ni rod, and post heated.I believe that if I clean this part, grind bevel the surfaces to get good root penetration, preheat correctly, then postheat correctly, clamp to allow for warpage, that I have a good chance of fixing it. How long it holds is another matter.Any pointers on: root prep, preheating temperature and length of time, arc technique including length of arc, comparing this rod to any other rod that may burn similarly, postheating and length of time. Is there any benefit of gussetting the area for additional strength? What specific rod should I get? How do I match rod diameter to work piece thickness? I have a laser temperature gauge, but I believe this will be beyond the parameters of that sensor. What temperature Tempilstick should I get?I'll know more tomorrow when I see it, and will post a pic so you can have an idea. He says the part is relatively easy to remove, and that would give me the ability to clamp it on the bench and weld it in the flat position.This will be a first for me, and a big deal if I can save my friend some time and/or money. He's a great neighbor, and does tractor work for me for fuel costs.I do have some gas welding tips, and would this part be better gas welded than arc? If I do that, what Ni filler rod should I get? Or can I get electric rod, and use it for both types of repairs. A little...

Apr 14, 2011 27 Replies

Rate this thread:

Steve B 15 years ago

That was my first thought. After a couple of days of analysis, my neighbor has decided to take it to the shop and have a new one put on it, as well as some other work needed that he was "going to have done one of these days."

I told him that I could not guarantee the work, and it could last 20 seconds or 20 years. There's quite a bit of disassembly required to just get the part where one could weld it, and if it's all apart that much, it would be easier to just slap another in there. If it failed, it would be back to square one, and all the disassembly again. So, the problem has resolved itself.

I know in other lives, people fixed anything on the farm themselves, shops and money being in short supply.

Thanks for the info, everyone.

Steve

Heart surgery pending?

formatting link

Heart Surgery Survival Guide

Vote

Steve B 15 years ago

"Steve W." wrote

My thought was to sleeve it, or weld bracing on it. Trouble is, it's about

1/2" from a bolt, and can't get a lot of weld on that short of an area.

But he has decided to take it to the shop anyway and have it replaced.

Steve

Heart surgery pending?

formatting link

Heart Surgery Survival Guide

Vote

clare 15 years ago

Did he describe the drag link or the steering arm?? I envision the steering arm, which bolts to the steering knuckle or the king-pin, depending on the tractor design. What make and model is this tractor anyway ? Might make a BIG difference on whether to repair, replace with used part, or fabricate a new one.

Vote

Steve B 15 years ago

It's a Massey 1246, and it is the piece that goes from the tie rod to the front axle, and it turns the wheel. HTH.

Steve

Heart surgery pending?

formatting link

Heart Surgery Survival Guide

Vote

jim 15 years ago

You probably mean the steering arm that connects the tie rod to the spindle.

formatting link

Vote

clare 15 years ago

Massey 1246 loader on a Massey 1140 Compact tractor? Or on a 1250 tractor? The 1246 was the loader number.

Anyway, this is the part that clamps on the top of the kingpin (spindle) and acts as the "crank" to turn the wheel?

Vote

Rich Grise 15 years ago

Steering knuckle? Then don't weld it, buy new and replace it.

Well, I know I would if it were my steering knuckle. ;-)

But hadn't that already been decided?

Cheers! Rich

Vote

Steve B 15 years ago

Sounds like it. Transfers the sideways motion of the tie rod and pushes/pulls the wheel.

Steve

Vote

Join the Discussion

Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.

Didn't find your answer?

Ask the community — no account required