John Deere KBA Disc

[DWalker2640]

I had an issue today while discing some ground for sweet corn. Ive got an old KBA Deere disc, and it appears the pin that goes through the cast iron bearing house and the frame (joins those pieces together) has broken. Is this a pain in the rear to replace? If what I found today in the Deere parts catalog is right the pin is available, or is there a different or better way to fix it.

 

[Tx Jim]

Welcome to YT
It appears from viewing parts catalog that the pin(KK4699B) is still available from JD for $15.33 each. The carriage bolts hold the 2 housings together & the pin keeps the 2 housing secured to pivot area on frame. IIRC pin can be replaced by removing cotter keys with holes aligned in corresponding parts.

 

[showcrop]

I had that problem. I cut a bolt to take the place of the pin, and then secured the two halves together more tightly.

 

[DeltaSteve]

Not real familiar with that disk,but Showcrop's fix is a fine idea.Something I would do. However,you may want to use a double nut,or lock nut to keep it from unscrewing.even drill a hole in the
end of the bolt for a cotter pin.

 

[rustred]

yes it was common to have that pin break. they used to be available at john deere. the ends were tapered. when u deepen and un deepen there
is some swiveling going on in the housing. a bolt will work for a while, but is not meant to be solid.

 

[DWalker2640]

Thanks everyone. I did find the PIN number mentioned, but I wasnt
sure it was the right number. Ill have to pick up one and get it back
together.

 

[tomstractorsandtoys]

On a KBA with time and lots of use the housings get all egged out. The Amish reproduce all the casting. They are even building brand new KBA discs in PA. I have seen where someone took a piece of chain and attached to the main frame and then ran it down under the spool and brought it back up and attached it to the frame again. This would prevent the post from pulling out. Tom

 

[560Dennis]

I have that disc, if Im following you the axle is welded to the wheel arm lift assembly , is that what you mean is a pin?
Any way my bearing failed wheel wore out axle before we bought the disc 40 years ago , I cut it out axle with torch . Made a new axle ,design a plain
bushing an put it back together, I didnt want to use John Deere parts , way to expensive IMO I didnt even look or call them .
Be careful the previous owner snap the tongue off how I dont know but that a weak point , all in all good disc if not abused

 

[DWalker2640]

While Im on the topic, Ive got a couple of the front discs that could
stand replacing. I thought I may replace all of the front ones since I
would have to remove the axle to get to the ones that need replacing.
What is everyone running on theirs? Ive got smooth discs all the way
around currently. I wasnt sure if anyone had run notched fronts and
smooth rears or if everyone ran all smooths on theirs.

 

[showcrop]

(quoted from post at 19:18:28 03/23/21) While Im on the topic, Ive got a couple of the front discs that could
stand replacing. I thought I may replace all of the front ones since I
would have to remove the axle to get to the ones that need replacing.
What is everyone running on theirs? Ive got smooth discs all the way
around currently. I wasnt sure if anyone had run notched fronts and
smooth rears or if everyone ran all smooths on theirs.

When I had mine I had notched in the front and smooth in the rear. I used it primarily for breaking up sod after turning it over and smoothing for seeding.

 

[560Dennis]

I like like plain disc on clay here. I dont know if the 20 in will fit yours ,18 inch available, in this case dealership prices werent to bad price wise from
what I remember . Shoup and hershal and ag supply carry them got to get some for mine also .
Several part numbers depends on spacing

 

[Tx Jim]

20'' & cut-out disk were options on new KBA disk harrows. Advantage of cut-out disk with all things equal will have deeper penetration & will handle trashy crop/weed conditions better than solid disks.

 

[DeltaSteve]

Nothed blades tend to be self sharpening. but they tend to be easier to break with rocks.I think notched tend to cut corn stalks/trash better than smooth.All smooth blades are the most prevalent. Notched front and smooth rears are second place. Seen a few with all notched.There is no set rule.It usually doesnt matter,even mix smooth and notched on the same gang. Sometimes it's a regional thing based on needs/conditions.If it were me,I would go with all smooth blades.

 

[DWalker2640]

Thats probably what Ill end up doing. We had a KBA growing up with all smooth discs, and it finished really well in that configuration.

 

[665farmer]

Do you have any more information on who is building these new kba dics in PA. I would like to see if they are producing the obsolete parts and if they will sell parts>

 

[665farmer]

Do you have any info in who builds the new KBA harrow in Pa?