MF 12 Pickup sprocket showing cracks

[drdoolittle]

Good evening. Was out looking my square baler today and noticed the sprocket that drives the pickup is cracked on 3 of the for spokes. Will probably be looking to braze/weld it in the morning. However, if that doesn't work would replacing that sprocket (a 2040 pitch 23 tooth sprocket) with a 45 or 48 tooth 40 pitch socket/weld hub work? My logic is since 2040 is basically a 40 pitch "doubled" - 1" instead of 1/2" but otherwise the same chain - if I doubled the count of teeth but left the other end of the chain alone I might be able to run it without having to replace 2 sprockets to just go to a normal 40 pitch chain. If this was later in the fall, I'd probably just replace both sprockets and be done - but have hay that may be getting baled within the next couple of days to a week and would like to know if this would be a quick fix for at least a couple of more runs.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Eric

 

[Farmer495]

I'd go for the quick fix, Double count chain should will still lay on the single sprocket. I broke a roller chain once and all I had on hand to fix it was double count master link, it worked!

 

[drdoolittle]

Thanks. That's what I'm doing. I found the right size at the local parts store so have it. I am going to be trying to weld the old sprocket just because I've never really had a reason to try welding cast iron. But the other sprocket is ready to go and hopefully I'll get the hay up tomorrow.