MF 12 shear bolt stuck in bushing

Kentucky_Jim · Jun 25, 2009

I know this will sound crazy but while baling today the shear bolt sheared, no big deal as it happens once in awhile, the problem is 1/2 of the sheared bolt (no threads just bolt head and shaft) is stuck inside the bushing that holds the shear pin in the flywheel. Tried punching it out with punch.. heated it.. tried to turn the bolt head with 1/2" breaker bar but nothing will budge the thing. Because of the flywheel design there is no straight line access to the shear bold. You have to go at it from a slight angle. I really don't know what try next. Seems the next move is to remove the clutch assembly so I can get better access and drill it out. Normally the bolt shears falls out and I replace.. 2 minute job.

Any better ideas??

zzvyb6 · Jun 25, 2009

Drill.

But a picture would help the advisory situation. Sounds like it not just sheared, but got kinked in the bushing, too.

kenstrac · Jun 26, 2009

I think the back side plate is elliptical an if it is turned 180 deg from where it normally bolts it is out in the open grind off the head and punch it out the other way.

Kentucky_Jim · Jun 26, 2009

On the side where the bolt head is it doesn't matter which position the flywheel in located, access the the bolt head is at a steep angle. I might be able to grind off the head but I wouldn't be able to get a punch on it ant any type of decent angle. I am talking about an angle of like 30-40% at the moment.

I looked at again this morning and I think maybe I can rig up something like a heavy metal bar clamped to the flywheel with a hole tapped in the center that I could insert a small diameter bolt and push the shear bold out by tightening the bolt on the metal bar. I really don't want to remove the entire slip clutch to get good access from the bolt head side of the issue.

Kentucky_Jim · Jun 26, 2009

I decided to take the slip clutch assembly off and attack the problem from the front where I had direct access. Drilled out the old shear pin which seemed like it was rusted to the bushing. I think from now on I'll remove the shear pin after each season as a precaution.