ford 903 post holedigger driveshaft

[bob kuczynski]

my old driveshaft is rotted in the middle and wont spin properly after sitting for years on the ground.
1. cheaper for me to cut the center out and weld in a new pipe or buy a new or used one and take a chance?
2. is this an easy fix for a welder these days? 3. can a local tractor garage do it? 4. what size and type metal is that shaft?
my project is in southern mo. any suggestions?
thanks
thanks.
 

[Tony Jacobs]

Hello Bob , Take your driveshaft to a Driveshaft Shop that repairs driveshafts for cars and trucks they can weld a tube in and BALANCE IT so that it does shake and vibrate when you are using it . Thanks Tony
 

[bob kuczynski]

not familiar with a driveshaft shop. is it a branch of a tractor repair shop? got any links to one of these repair shops? is it in a phone book as such? got a ballpark cost for the job handy? thanks.
 

[RickB]

Take the input shaft diameter and shearbolt diameter to a decent equipment dealership or Ag. supply store. Complete replacement driveshafts run $125-$175 depending on what and where.
 

[bob kuczynski]

thanks.
anyone got a ballpark repair cost to cut out the old shaft? both ends on mine are fine. just curious because one guy thinks im made of money and wants me to just buy a new one and one guy says save yourself money and fix the old one.
my digger isnt used every day. heck, id be lucky if i use it once every 2 years.
advice?
 

[NoNewParts]

[RickB]

The only 'ballpark price' worth a deep breath is one given by someone willing and able to do the job.
Don't expect to pay less just because the machine sits idle most of the time, life doesn't often work that way.
You start paying for $75 to $100 per hour shop time, that new shaft will look pretty cheap. My shop won't let a PTO shaft leave without an intact safety shield. They aren't cheap, either.
 

[bob kuczynski]

then i'd suppose i should be asking if anyone knows where i can find a good shaft in s.mo. or n.ark?
anyone know?