Woods LR72 fix or not?

[marksmand]

Just picked up an older heavy duty Woods LR72 landscape rake with wheels. It's in pretty good shape
except for one thing. The large bolt(1"?) that it pivots on is loose and there is about 3"+ of play up and down
at the end of the rake. Bolt is quite frozen, so I can not tighten it. I have tried all the usual attempts to free it with no luck
I have used it with fairly good results and I am wondering if it is worth cutting out the bolt and replacing it to tighten up the rake. I am using it to maintain a 2000ft driveway in The Catskill mountains

 

[oldnslo]

Is this the bolt it pivots on? Will have to walk out and see how mine is made since have the same model with gauge wheels.

 

[marksmand]

Yes that's correct , it is the pivot bolt

 

[Tinhack]

Flip it over and see if someone welded the bolt in. The parts list says it's a "standard" one inch grade-8 bolt. You may need a 3-4 foot extension on a 3/4" breaker bar. Soak it with some lube first.

 

[oldnslo]

Is your LR72 made like mine with flat plate with index holes for rotation and Y bracket to lock rotation?

I felt underneath and it felt like just a nut on the bottom of the pivot bolt that did not feel welded in place.

 

[Williy]

It will be a lot less to fix it than to purchase a new one.
Woods makes very quality equipment!

willy

 

[marksmand]

Is your LR72 made like mine with flat plate with index holes for rotation and Y bracket to lock rotation?

I felt underneath and it felt like just a nut on the bottom of the pivot bolt that did not feel welded in place.

Yes it is exactly like yours. Bolt is not welded, just very frozen. Have used penetrating oil
a very large bar and also a very large strong friend of mine. Just wondering if i can live with the play or else I feel I will need to cut the old bolt out and replace

 

[oldnslo]

If the bolt will not turn how would you cut it out without damaging the mating bore or phrased a different way in which component is bolt rusted into? The top tubing or the bottom plate?

 

[marksmand]

I realize that I have incorrectly described the issue. Bolt turns, it is the nut that is frozen on..
Sorry about that. Anyway still wondering if it is ok to use withe play in it

 

[oldnslo]

Mark
My concern would be what is worn if anything or wearing even more do to this looseness. Not sure if Woods just counted on the nut being snug to prevent tilt or if bore should be snug enough to limit the amount of movement

I checked mine by wiggling the 3PH and it does wiggle around this is when unhooked from tractor so what you are seeing could be normal