I have never been so disgusted in my self

Things went well with the splitting. The clutch rebuild and seal replacement went well. Putting the split tractor together... not so good. Dad always told me, it you have to force something, its not right. I wasnt sure if I was forcing it or having difficulty sliding cleaned heavy metal on cleaned metal. I ended up doing considerable damage to the engine clutch shaft, and who knows what else to the components behind it as it sucked the tractor together with the bolt threads. Once I realized that things were not right, I panicked a bit and started to undo the bolts. I let one off completely, and then CRACK. A huge crack snapped in the center frame due to all of the torqued up pressure. Cast iron, huge, heavy and no doubt hard to get replaced.

I couldnt sleep one minute on monday night. Just so sick to my stomach knowing that this is even more now far beyond my skills and that I have done unknwown amounts of severe damage to integral components of a tractor that I really enjoy. Sick that it was avoidable if I had of not forced it or sought help.

My message is, know your limits. Take these things in stages. Get help, from really qualified people, when the stageds get tough. Dont be afraid to doubt your skills. Heavy duty mechanics is a trade that is learned, you cant just buy a manual and fix everything. (well some people can, but I am learning to hate them! :) When things go bad, take a break. Never use force. While on your break, think about if your work site has become unsafe. In a panic you can shift things and create unsafe conditions. Getting hurt doing your hobby just plain sucks.

Well I feel a bit better but not much. If anything, if anyone actually read this, think about your safety, and make sure that you dont get yourself in a situation of getting hurt. I didnt but my wife pointed out that in my stage of ---(rage/fear/dissappointment/confusion/frustration)that my rational thinking had pretty much left the shop.

Thank you

We've all "been there, done that." And, we will be joining you again at various times in the near future!

Don't beat yourself to death over it. More better you resolve to be more careful next time. At the same time, may I suggest that you don't let this ONE-OFF experience sour you against trying to expand your skills base in the future. After all, where would the human race be if everybody who had ever made a stuff-up had deciced never to try anything new ever again?

Happy farming and repairing.

You have a wonderful day. Best wishes. Deas Plant.

We all have a lot of "experience", most of it is obtained the hard way.

Dosn't matter how it got broken thems is just the rules

You have to learn to laugh at yourself and go on.

Now, that cast iron CAN be welded, so don't dispare. I was at a tractor show once and this man had an old huge JD 2 cyl. diesel...help me fellers, I forget the model....that he had found in a junkyard. Junked because the block was cracked and nothing else. He had it welded.....and it was obvious, and the tractor ran great. Now, if a diesel engine block can stay together welded, your torque tube/bellhousing is no sweat.

Friend of mine undertook the same job you are talking about, but on a 4430 JD. When they "forced" it back together, pushed thrust bearings in back of engine. Cranked it up, and spun a bearing. Now have to do complete engine rebuild.

Worst part of it is, that tractor has a hydraulic clutch. Clutch wasn't worn at all. RELIEF VALVE STICKING OPEN!

As my dad has told me MANY times..... ...." You have bought yourself some experience!"