Busted Landscaping Rake/Rock Rake

[LetsRoll]

I was doing some landscaping today and the pin that holds the rake together broke in half. This pin makes the rake useless to use as you can see in the pictures. Just wondering if this was your rake, would you try to repair it or take it back to the dealership where I bought it (same place where I bought my tractor from)? I can repair it, but I'll have to get a machine shop to machine another pin. I think if the pin was hardened, it wouldn't of broken like it did. So, if I get a machine shop to machine another one , it will problably brake too. But, I'm not sure my dealer will take it back and give me a new rake. I think I'll call him Monday and see what he has to say. Probably a slim chance but I'll give it a try.

 

[LetsRoll]

I was doing some landscaping today and the pin that holds the rake together broke in half. This pin makes the rake useless to use as you can see in the pictures. Just wondering if this was your rake, would you try to repair it or take it back to the dealership where I bought it (same place where I bought my tractor from)? I can repair it, but I'll have to get a machine shop to machine another pin. I think if the pin was hardened, it wouldn't of broken like it did. So, if I get a machine shop to machine another one , it will problably brake too. But, I'm not sure my dealer will take it back and give me a new rake. I think I'll call him Monday and see what he has to say. Probably a slim chance but I'll give it a try.

 

[PineRidge]

Think you might call the manufacturer and plead your case. Sometime for PR they just may send you the replacement pin for free. Tell them you're a member of a large tractor related web site and you'll give their efforts a good plug. It can't hurt....

 

[PineRidge]

Think you might call the manufacturer and plead your case. Sometime for PR they just may send you the replacement pin for free. Tell them you're a member of a large tractor related web site and you'll give their efforts a good plug. It can't hurt....

 

[RonR]

Is the pin welded in on the bottom side?

If not, the pin is likely a standard size that should not be too expensive. Of course, having the mfg or dealer give you one would be best.

I'm not an engineer, but a pin that size should never be able to be broken on a landscape rake. I doubt you'll have the problem again with a new pin.

ron

 

[RonR]

Is the pin welded in on the bottom side?

If not, the pin is likely a standard size that should not be too expensive. Of course, having the mfg or dealer give you one would be best.

I'm not an engineer, but a pin that size should never be able to be broken on a landscape rake. I doubt you'll have the problem again with a new pin.

ron

 

[Farwell]

It may be possible that the pin was hardened when it was welded. I agree with the earlier post that a pin that size should not have broken. The rake should have been torn apart prior to a pin that size breaking, IMO. If it is replaced with the correct pin you should not have any further problems.
Farwell

 

[Farwell]

It may be possible that the pin was hardened when it was welded. I agree with the earlier post that a pin that size should not have broken. The rake should have been torn apart prior to a pin that size breaking, IMO. If it is replaced with the correct pin you should not have any further problems.
Farwell

 

[DanielAlexander]

Are you sure its not a bolt? maybe there is a nut under the rake frame.

 

[DanielAlexander]

Are you sure its not a bolt? maybe there is a nut under the rake frame.

 

[DanielAlexander]

Can you drill it out and put a 1" bolt in?

 

[DanielAlexander]

Can you drill it out and put a 1" bolt in?

 

[Soundguy]

Hmm? assuming do dealer or warranty help.. how about torch thru the bottom.. sleave with a pipe, and then use a bolt or pin / dowel stock?

Soundguy

 

[Soundguy]

Hmm? assuming do dealer or warranty help.. how about torch thru the bottom.. sleave with a pipe, and then use a bolt or pin / dowel stock?

Soundguy

 

[Cord]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Are you sure its not a bolt? maybe there is a nut under the rake frame. )</font>

It's pretty obvious the nut is on top.

 

[Cord]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Are you sure its not a bolt? maybe there is a nut under the rake frame. )</font>

It's pretty obvious the nut is on top.

 

[LetsRoll]

Ron,
That pin goes all the way through and is welded on the back side of that plate and is welded to the bottom frame.

Farwell,
I took a file to it to see if it was hardened and the file cut inside the metal pretty easy. I think a hardened pin wouldn't have broken like it did.

DanielAlexander,
It's a machined pin with threads machined on the end. It also has a hole drilled in the threads. A cotter pin is put through the hole which keeps the bolt from coming loose.

Soundguy,
Thats a great idea. Kind of wish I'd done that. I went ahead and cleaned up the pin and removed the paint from the plate. I beveled the inside of the hole and put the pin back in the hole. I welded around the pin and inside the bevel (first weld). Example --\| |/-- Then I welded another pass around the pin and plate again (wider weld this time). The last pass I made was the widest weld I made. This weld was like a snake weld, up and down. As I was welding this snake pattern up and down, I would stop for a brief second so the weld would puddle up or build up pretty good. I put it back together and tried it out, so far so good.

 

[LetsRoll]

Ron,
That pin goes all the way through and is welded on the back side of that plate and is welded to the bottom frame.

Farwell,
I took a file to it to see if it was hardened and the file cut inside the metal pretty easy. I think a hardened pin wouldn't have broken like it did.

DanielAlexander,
It's a machined pin with threads machined on the end. It also has a hole drilled in the threads. A cotter pin is put through the hole which keeps the bolt from coming loose.

Soundguy,
Thats a great idea. Kind of wish I'd done that. I went ahead and cleaned up the pin and removed the paint from the plate. I beveled the inside of the hole and put the pin back in the hole. I welded around the pin and inside the bevel (first weld). Example --\| |/-- Then I welded another pass around the pin and plate again (wider weld this time). The last pass I made was the widest weld I made. This weld was like a snake weld, up and down. As I was welding this snake pattern up and down, I would stop for a brief second so the weld would puddle up or build up pretty good. I put it back together and tried it out, so far so good.

 

[LetsRoll]

View from underneight the plate.

 

[LetsRoll]

View from underneight the plate.