Can this driveshaft be welded?

[John S-B]

I pulled a four foot drive shaft out of my Hesston windrower. A bearing had bound up and wore down the shaft. The shaft is 1 1/4" in dia. and is worn to about 13/16" where the bearing was. The shaft is still straight. I was wondering if the machine shop can just weld beads to fill in the worn spot and then turn it to the original diameter so I can put a new bearing on. This is the shaft that runs the sickle, header reel and rollers. It's not carrying weight like an axle would.

 

[Gene Davis (Ga.)]

Weldig it in the conventional way will cause a lot of warpage from heat. There is a process where the metal is sprayed on at a much cooler temperature called metallizing then the shaft is ground or machined to the correct dimensions. Not sure if the process will cost more than a new shaft. Sometimes that happens

 

[Gary from Muleshoe]

I am sure a good machinist can build that back up and make it like new again. Machinist are high, might want to check the price of a new one before you get in too deep with the machinist.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Most welding machine shops that do ag work will have new drive shaft tubing or shafting so they might want to just build you a new one or replace that section. Labor expense going to be about the same any way you go but they might fix it for a tad less than new OEM one a dealer probably won't have in stock and take a week to order.

 

[Rickey H]

heat the shaft and weld it with low hydrogen rods turn it back down I have done many shafts and pins for bulldozers

 

[sd pete]

If its just a simple shaft with a keyway or 2 he just might make a new one. If its more complex he will build it up and and turn it down. It shouldn"t be a major expense.

 

[paul]

I believe they have to put the shaft into a lathe (special one?), and weld it while spinning - as mentioned, spraying on - the weld to keep it all from warping & deforming.

A good machine shop should be able to make something work - replace or build it up.

--->Paul

 

[Don-Wi]

I just did a similar shaft as yours. Mine was on a 1014+2 Hesston haybine, it had splines that go into the hydraulic motor and then it drove the auger and reel. Mine wasn't worn down too bad, but if the guy welding it is carefull, it'll be just as straight as before. I had to weld up both bearing surfaces, so I welded a spot on one end, then a spot on the other, and just kept moving around, so the heat wasn't in one place to bend the shaft.

When I gave it to the lathe guy at work to turn, it turned out beautiful. He said it didn't have any run-out at all and was thouroughly impressed with my weld job. I've only been in the trade for a little over 5 years (he's got somewhere around 25 on a manual lathe), but I had to fix many shafts like that at my last job. If it's splined on the end, weld it up & turn it down. If not, just go with a new one that a shop can make cheaper than AGCO can get it.

Absolutely a fixable shaft yet. I've done worse worn shafts myself.

Donovan from Wisconsin

 

[El Toro]

I think I would find a machine shop and use dobber's suggestion using new tubing. Hal

 

[benny2]

What could be done is get a shaft repair split sleeve. They are available at bearing supply stores. Check with bearing suppliers for your application. Or go to a drive line shop have a new tube installed.

 

[RodinNS]

If it's a keyed shaft I'd just have a new one made. That's quicker and cheaper that trying to fix that shaft. If it's a splined shaft then I'd probably have this one welded up and turned...

Rod

 

[Anonymous-0]

Built up a shaft just like that out of a Melroe grinder-mixer years ago.Just have to be careful not to get it too hot and keep the heat spread out.Turned out just fine.Still using it once a week.

 

[Don-Wi]

I'm pretty sure he's talking about a solid shaft, not a tube. Tube's don't ride in bearings....

Donovan from Wisconsin