While closing up a field at work, I happened to look into my in-cab monitor, and noticed it looked as if i had broken a shear bolt (The applicator I operate is nearly 100' long, and impossible to see the shanks from the seat)..
I decided I had closed up enough for the day, that I would head for the truck, fuel up, and fix the said bolt.. When I casually strolled to the back, I saw this:
Sorry it's not the best picture, as I took it with my cell phone, and that leaves some to be desired.. You can kinda see what it's supposed to be like on the shanks in the background.
The best I can figure, the "arm" wasn't as strong as the GRADE 8 shear bolt.. (Someone ASSURED me it would be fine, we'd just break fewer shear bolts.. Being a good employee, I quit arguing and said "Ok, no problem").. It broke out at the front pivot point.. The pivot "bushing" is still hooked to the top side of the tube, and the other sides broke loose and bent upward.
The tool bar is based on a DMI unit.. (I think they were called 5100's??)
LESSON TO BE LEARNED: Don't use grade 8 bolts as shear bolts
Brad
I decided I had closed up enough for the day, that I would head for the truck, fuel up, and fix the said bolt.. When I casually strolled to the back, I saw this:
Sorry it's not the best picture, as I took it with my cell phone, and that leaves some to be desired.. You can kinda see what it's supposed to be like on the shanks in the background.
The best I can figure, the "arm" wasn't as strong as the GRADE 8 shear bolt.. (Someone ASSURED me it would be fine, we'd just break fewer shear bolts.. Being a good employee, I quit arguing and said "Ok, no problem").. It broke out at the front pivot point.. The pivot "bushing" is still hooked to the top side of the tube, and the other sides broke loose and bent upward.
The tool bar is based on a DMI unit.. (I think they were called 5100's??)
LESSON TO BE LEARNED: Don't use grade 8 bolts as shear bolts
Brad
