Disc Harrow old disc repair

[cedar21]

Hi. I am trying to repair an old disc I acquired. The disc axles go through two housings that seem as though they should have a bearing, though there is no bearing, just some sort of liner of unknown material. The housing and the liner are round, though the axle is square. Any information on how this works would be much appreciated. I am attaching some photos.

 

[mddorange]

:welcome:
To the TBN forum cedar. Glad that you joined and you came to the right place to get answers.

I have never seen a disc with a square axle before, so I am guessing that the liner had a brass bushing which was popular back in the day.

 

[Stimw]

Here is a link to disc Harrow axle bearings. Search Results | Agri Supply(R)
Pics are too dark to see what you have.
There are a lot of common harrow parts.

 

[cedar21]

I am attaching some better photos.

 

[Phillip w]

Shoot me some pics of the disc gangs, the individual discs themselves and the "space bearing itself. Did your disc axle have a big square nut on the end??? This maybe a considerable older disc. I've junked out some old disc, and it maybe similar to a few I've junked.

 

[kthompson]

Have you looked for tag on the disk for a brand name? I do not think they put a square axle in round housing without a turn bearing in there. Square axle would wear such as brass or wood (years ago) bearing out real quick. It looks like the bearing housings may be worn, maybe too much to keep bearings in there but only way to know if find the right bearings for the disk. Square axles are right common on disc, at least ones up to say 12 feet wide. Measure the size of the axle, nearest 1/8 is what I think you need but they do have 7/8 and 1 inch square axles. You will need the bearing housing for the outside diameter and width or thickness of the bearing. Do not be shocked if you are needing more than bearings. Look at the bearing housing to see if any grease fittings there to know if you need grease able bearings or sealed bearings.

 

[cedar21]

Here are some more photos.

 

[cedar21]

I have looked for a tag on the disc, but no luck there. The housing that the shaft goes though has some sort of rubber looking material, and inside of this appears to be a metal tube. I am not sure that there is enough space in the tube for a bearing. I have seen the housings that come apart and hold a bearing, though the housing on this disc is solid. If there ever were bearings in the housings, there is no sign of any bearing left. There is a grease fitting though.

 

[tcreeley]

Old Ford 3 pt harrow ? I tried google just to see what came up- Here is a random diagram to get you thinking how things could go together.

Good luck

 

[cedar21]

The bearing assembly on the Ford diagram is not the same as the disc I have. I have looked at diagrams of Ford discs (since the disc I have is blue), though so far have not found any diagram that looks like the disc I have.

 

[Phillip w]

Have you looked for tag on the disk for a brand name? I do not think they put a square axle in round housing without a turn bearing in there. Square axle would wear such as brass or wood (years ago) bearing out real quick. It looks like the bearing housings may be worn, maybe too much to keep bearings in there but only way to know if find the right bearings for the disk. Square axles are right common on disc, at least ones up to say 12 feet wide. Measure the size of the axle, nearest 1/8 is what I think you need but they do have 7/8 and 1 inch square axles. You will need the bearing housing for the outside diameter and width or thickness of the bearing. Do not be shocked if you are needing more than bearings. Look at the bearing housing to see if any grease fittings there to know if you need grease able bearings or sealed bearings.

I think you're on the right track.

 

[tcreeley]

Here is a pic of your harrow rotated so I could see it!

 

[Phillip w]

Well, here goes. Back in the 1970's there was a company called bmb. In that era, the painted a lot of stuff blue. Bmb was I think somehow connect to the Athens plow company. Bmb sold out to alamo group which as far as I know still goes today. Can't say what brand you got, but it may be an avenue to explore. As for your bearings and bushings. I think and key word is think that what you got is a square axle with the blades. I think you have kind of a bearing/bushing type set up where as it is a square hole so to speak surrounded by a rubberish bushing.that bearing/bushing will keep the blades pretty stable as well as absord some shock say you ran over a big rock or something. The places you grease I think are what has to be lined and kept free to turn the other parts I think are basically bushings. There is a company called tisco and they sell alot of disc parts. Might get with them and see if they can match something up. Like I say, this is all I think and maybe stuff, but it may give you a few leads.

 

[cedar21]

I took the zerk fitting out and the rubber that is lining the inside of the housing is solid. There is no way that grease could get to the bearing if there was a bearing. I am starting to think that the disc has been modified by a previous owner, and that I may need to cut the housings off and weld on some housings that can hold a bearing.

 

[Phillip w]

If you pulled the seek and that is rubber, might thought are back to the drawing board so to speak. I just can't imagine no bearings for the gang to rotate on. Let me do some more thinking.

 

[cedar21]

The square axle has apparently just been spinning in the round pipe inside the housing. Not good obviously. The axle also is worn round where some of the discs go.

 

[bspeedy]

Agri supply is my go-to for disc harrow parts:

Search Results | Agri Supply(R)

Make sure you aren't getting too much money into this one. A good used tube frame harrow should be 500-800 dollars and will be way better and heavier than this one.

If you only need it for a one-time use, use it like it is and sell it for scrap. I did that with a disc my dad gave me and sold it as a pile of crap for 100 or 150 bucks to someone who thought it would work for them.

Not trying to discourage you, but I think you are in for hours of agony with a torch and penetrant trying to get everything apart and back together. Then a bunch of money for blades, hardware, bearings, etc. And a tool that isn't all that great when you finish. If you are doing it for fun or for the satisfaction of having a 'new' old disc, then go for it. I totally understand the appeal of that approach.

 

[cedar21]

I have been keeping my eye out for a used disc, though it is hit and miss trying to find one around here. I thought the same thing about pouring money into this one, though I am going to need a disc fairly soon. Not doing it for the enjoyment of restoring an old disc.

 

[Phillip w]

Agri supply is my go-to for disc harrow parts:

Search Results | Agri Supply(R)

Make sure you aren't getting too much money into this one. A good used tube frame harrow should be 500-800 dollars and will be way better and heavier than this one.

If you only need it for a one-time use, use it like it is and sell it for scrap. I did that with a disc my dad gave me and sold it as a pile of crap for 100 or 150 bucks to someone who thought it would work for them.

Not trying to discourage you, but I think you are in for hours of agony with a torch and penetrant trying to get everything apart and back together. Then a bunch of money for blades, hardware, bearings, etc. And a tool that isn't all that great when you finish. If you are doing it for fun or for the satisfaction of having a 'new' old disc, then go for it. I totally understand the appeal of that approach.

A valid point, have to agree. Judging by the size of you tractor, you could probably order a 3 pt disc from tsc, orschelns or you local farm and home store. It would be a nice little compliment to your tractor.

 

[downslope]

I took the zerk fitting out and the rubber that is lining the inside of the housing is solid. There is no way that grease could get to the bearing if there was a bearing. I am starting to think that the disc has been modified by a previous owner, and that I may need to cut the housings off and weld on some housings that can hold a bearing.

Are you SURE the material is rubber and not grease soaked wood. Wooden bearnings were used in disks up until the early 50's. I think there was even a guy on one of the sites like ytmag that was offering to turn new pieces. If it is rubber then I'm not familiar with anything like that.

If you decide to modify the disk for more modern/available bearings what you can do is weld an angle iron support to the frame with holes drilled to match the new top bearing halves.

All of this points up the fact that when buying an old used disk be sure the bearings are good or replacements are available reasonable price. MF made some very fine 3-pt discs, but if the white metal bearing pieces are shot you are up the creek. Replacement parts (if you can find) will cost you more than a new medium duty disk.
SOME READING:
Yesterday's Tractors : Search Results

Replacement Wood Bearings for Disc Harrows, Cultipackers & Other Farm Equipment | Woodex