Equipment needed to disassemble heavily rusted old plow

[lhfarm]

I'm restoring an antique plow and need to remove the coulters and joiners from a donor plow. I've tried PB Blaster and an impact wrench and nothing is moving (on the larger bolts). There appear to be rust welds between the nuts and washers. I am assuming that what I need to do is apply some heat. I have a small propane torch, but not sure that can produce enough heat. So the questions are 1) what equipment should I have on hand to disassemble heavily rusted implements (do I need a set of torches or is the propane good enough?) and 2) what approach or method should I use when disassembling parts that I want to restore or reuse (i.e. don't want to do more damage than necessary)?



Thanks

 

[Tx Jim]

I think a small propane torch will not get nuts hot enough to loosen. I think acetylene torch is needed

 

[s219]

I had a similar challenge a few months ago when taking a rusty implement apart. Tried PB Blaster, impact, heat, etc, to no avail. Finally on a lark I put a 4' pipe on the end of my wrench and it worked like a charm. I'd say 80% of the bolts turned free, while the remaining 20% snapped (with no ill consequence in this case, but that may not be the case for all situations).

It's possible that the combination of all the methods helped the pipe do the trick, but I really think I was toying with the bolts before and the pipe upped the game a notch.

 

[Carl_NH]

Acetylene torch if you have access to one, or if there are only a few to do get a sawzall and metal blades and cut the nuts or heads off.

You could also use a good wire brush on a small hand grinder to remove the rust weld then spray with PB Blaster.

 

[Code54]

Maybe able to get away with MAPP gas but Oxy would be better. Find a good Craftsman ratchet (or any that have a lifetime warranty) and get a large pipe like S219 mentioned and crank away. It will give you far more force than a normal impact wrench - I keep a 6' pipe around the shop for this reason. Between trying the wrench, and trying the wrench with heat you should be able to get it.

 

[Code54]

Acetylene torch if you have access to one, or if there are only a few to do get a sawzall and metal blades and cut the nuts or heads off.

You could also use a good wire brush on a small hand grinder to remove the rust weld then spray with PB Blaster.

Also a good idea!

 

[SimS]

I'd go along with Code54 but using a breaker bar instead of a ratchet. Breaker bars can take much more torque than the gears and pawls of a ratchet. A breaker bar with a cheater pipe and good six point sockets should snap loose/off the rusty bolts even without heat. Good Luck.

SimS

 

[Richard]

How's about a torque multiplier? Something like this? (not affiliated)

Stanley Proto 6212 Torque Multiplier 1200ft lb 1 2x3 4 inch Drive | eBay

I bought one similar to this for use on my backhoe and it was a great help.

 

[lhfarm]

Thanks for all the tips. I probably should look at a set of torches. I've avoided doing so, since I've been able to accomplish my past projects without them. I've done searches in the welding section and it looks like an oxy/propane setup might be good for me. I'll post a note in the welding area.

In the mean time I'll try the wire brush and breaker bar. I'll like to avoid breaking the specialty fasteners, but will practice on those bolts that are easily replaceable.

Thanks

 

[flusher]

I've restored several plows like yours as well as old grain drills, sicklebar mowers and offset and tandem discs. Primarily used air tools (impact wrenches, chisels) to remove rusted nuts. Sometimes had to cut the bolts using a 4-1/2" grinder with cutoff wheels. Also have cut large size nuts in half with the grinder.

Soaking with penetrant is time consuming and generally ineffective for rusted nut/bolts like you show in your photo. Heat is more effective.

So get an angle grinder, an air compressor, impact wrench and air chisel.
Wouldn't hurt to get a welding torch setup also if you plan to make a hobby of restoring rusted farm implements.

Good luck