MT180D sway chain rod

[PILOON]

Bad luck!

That rod that the sway chains attach to broke on the left side. It happened once before about 6-7 years ago. Sort of understandable as the intent is to prevent side swinging of drawn attachments but not meant to withstand strong side forces while pushing backwards.
In my case it is from snow blowing with a 60" blower and snagging the occasional boulder or root with a corner of the blower as I back into snow banks.
The last time I snapped it I simply used cold rolled shafting stock as a replacement and drilled ends for the pins.

The bad news is that tomorrow they predict - 28 degs and I have to work outdoors. BRRRR
Off to the machine shop in the AM to buy a length of shaft stock.

The good news is I am an old hand at doing this repair.HAH.( better said a VERY cold hands)
Unfortunately I can't wait for warm weather as warm just means more snow.
OH, TV weather (TV is on) predicts a high of -8 Thurs, well that's better than -28.

 

[skylarkguy]

Just don't test the old tongue to cold metal trick. Be safe out there.

 

[PILOON]

Picked up a length of 7/8" shafting and next is to drill the end holes.
Called a neighbor who will let me use his garage for the surgery as minus 28 is just too much for these old bones. (especially laying in the snow plus I suffer from renaud's syndrome* in the hands.)
If I remember I had to pull a wheel to replace that shaft.

* cold makes me lose all feeling,( like can't feel the difference between a razor blade and 1/2" bolt)