Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

I'm restoring an old Ariens Sno Thro and one of the rakes is seemingly locked to the shaft. Guy at work put it on a 40 ton hydraulic press and it still didn't budge - just started distorting the rake. He didn't heat it though.

I have a second parts snowblower and the rake is stuck on that one as well. The difference is that one is on the "closed" side of the gearbox so I could remove the axle shaft if necessary.

I'm was thinking of getting as much penetrating oil on it as possible, putting a gear puller on it, leaving ot for a few days, tighten the puller, etc. Any other suggestions? Both gearboxes are nice and tight and they're the old cast iron ones so I'd like to rescue both of them.

RalphS wrote:

That  "someone else" was me... I split the LH auger gearcase trying to separate mine because I wasn't careful!

Marty

From the advice of another dealer, you have to heat the tube up to a dull red to get it off.

I just have a Bernzomatic propane torch that doesn't seem like it will generate enough heat fast enough to do this. Should I buy another, but a MAPP gas torch (which doesn't seem like it would be a lot more effective) or use this opportunity to buy an oxy acetylene rig?

I have a couple gear pullers and also rigged up some steel brackets so that I can apply pressure with a 6 ton bottle jack. So I just have to get it hot enough without annealing it.

Garandman wrote:

NEVER exceed 15psi pressure on acetylene. (Above that, liquid acetone is drawn from the bottle and will self-ignite.)

I use traps that keep the flame from possibly tracing back the inside of the hose.

But Mapp gas might do it. Great big might. It does get much hotter than propane. Tip choice can be critical.

http://abbysguide.com/ope/discussions/3542-0-1.html

http://www.cbs.state.or.us/external/osha/hazards/regbrnot.htm

http://www.tpub.com/content/construction/14250/css/14250_78.htm

If you have powerpoint http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/minres/dms/website/training/inventory/oxyacetylene.ppt

Oh yea, no oil or grease near the top of the bottles. Not on any of the fittings either. If they are rusty, leave them rusty.

Don't want you to go boom.

Home Depot has a Bernzomatic Welding, Brazing, and Cutting Kit  using MAPP and Oxygen.

"Kit includes burner wand, hose, oxygen regulator, fuel gas valvem cylinder stand, MG9 16 oz. MAPP® Gas cylinder, OX9 1,1 cubic foot oxygen cylinder, spark lighter and 5 brazing/welding rods"

$50. Anyone using one?

Garandman - I was able to get my auger tubes "cherry red" with the Bernzomatic Mapp/Oxy setup you listed above. I like it's portability & ability to get stubborn bolts & nuts off. I haven't used it as a cutting torch yet, but I am very pleased with mine otherwise.

Marty

Great, thanks for the feedback, the small size and quick setup suit m needs so I'll give them a try.

OK, I've got a torch, and I've slit the Rake lengthwise with a Dremel tool.

Now 'm ready to heat it and pull it off. I have a good-sized 3 jaw bearing puller.

But do I need more force, such as that from a vertical hydraulic press?

May be center drill the center of the shaft so the puller has somewhere for the point to go.  Put a good deal of pressure on the shaft, and hit the end of the puller screw with a hammer to see if it will break loose.  I'm sure you tried this, but I figured I would post it anyway.

There is a hole in the end of the shaft, I put a smaller bolt in it so the puller would have something to bear on.