removing serial tag rivets

[Kurt_JDB]

When I rebuilt my "37 B, one of the things I did was replace the damaged main case. I would like to remove the original serial number tag from the old case and reattach it to the new case.

Do any of you good folks have a way to remove the old rivets? I have tried to grab hold and twist out with a vice grip with no luck. I"m sure I could knock the heads off with a chisel, which will work fine for the old case, but on the new case, I would like to put the tag back in the same location. I don"t think I could drill the broken rivets out, because they are hardened.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Kurt

 

[Bob]

Carefully turn 'em loose with a small, sharp chisel and a hammer or cut a slot in 'em with a Dremel and turn 'em out with a screwdriver.

 

[Anonymous-0]

try a small amount of heat to the rivet one at a time. take time not to get plate hot,and twist count clockwise. they are spiral splind rivets. if u cant get on them any more chesal or lightly grind rivet heads off, get plate off then u can drill out, or even melt out with torch, there fairly soft metal.

 

[PBrowning]

Kurt - You've Got Mail! (PatB)

 

[Ray]

I just insert a hack saw blade under the tag and cut them off.

 

[kseaton65]

kurt

i just removed the serial tag on our 49 B,to ensure that the main case was perfect for paint, i took some info from an early post about this, i cut the rivets off with a chisel drove them down in the case a little, applied jb weld to the holes, sanded flat, drilled 2 new holes just beside the old ones, when the plate was installed you could not even tell i wasnt exactly where it used to be
Kyle

 

[wigfimml]

Kurt,
When I restored my maincase (JD 48A) I also wanted to preserve the serial tag. I got the same advice from Bob below. I used a dremel to cut a slot and used an impact screw driver to back out the rivets. I got mine out easy that way with no problems and had no previous experience doing this. I only wish the rest of the restoration process went that well!. I'm thinking of sending the tag to a place that can touch it up to look more original/new but havn't gone that far yet.
WIG

 

[alabamafrog]

Isn't this illegal in some states?

 

[Machinery-Man]

I used a fresh small vise grip and they back right out. No big deal.

 

[Machinery-Man]

I used a fresh small vise grip and they back right out. No big deal.

 

[Kurt_JDB]

Machinery-man,

I did try a spanking-new pair of sharp vice grips, but could not get a grip.....the head of the rivet was too rounded. Thanks.

Kurt

 

[Kurt_JDB]

WIG,

Thanks for your comment. I may try the slot method if I can't get it out with the vice grips.

By impact screwdriver, are you referring to the type you hit with a mallet, or some type of air impact?


Kurt

 

[Kurt_JDB]

Thanks Pat.

I like the idea of tapping them back and forth to loosen the rivet before trying to remove them. Good idea.

Kurt

 

[F-I-T]

I wouldn't think so, until they begin to issue vehicle titles to tractors. Also, no different than if you would have replaced a main case with a brand new part number. But it would not hurt to disclose to a prospective buyer that you performed a main case swap.

Kurt:

I have used the "cut them off, grind them down, and drill new holes nearby" method myself. Most times when I succeeded in getting whole rivets out, the hole seemed to have wallowed out a bit, so if you use the old holes, a bit of filler epoxy will help.

Frank

 

[Kurt_JDB]

Frank,

I agree about the disclosure aspects. I have pictures of the rebuild and main case swap, and If I sell the tractor, the buyer gets those with it.

The tractor gets a few funny looks now from those in the know, because the donner case serial number is from a 1938 long frame B, and this tractor is a 1937 short frame B.

Another reason to put the old tag back on is that I used all the internal parts from the old 1937 case, some of which are different than the later 1938 tractor. (some of the tranny gears have a taller ratio, also the filter head, filter body, oil pump, oil lines and lifter assembly are different) Having the wrong serial number on the tractor could really confuse a future owner.

If I can't get the whole rivet out, I'll go the drill new hole route.

Kurt

 

[sgtbull]

Alabama Frog is correct. In several states it IS illegal. In Illinois, it is a FELONY to remove a PIN tag. (Product information tag).
Correct, tractors do not come with titles, generally cannot be registered, but still the identification tag is unit specific and is not to be removed, tampered with, or defaced.
It is a rarely enforced statute, however, so is illegal immigration.
Ironically, it is also illegal to attach "fictitious" tags to tractors, eg, newly made serial # tags... and Illinois has one of the best sources for them for IH tractors. (OEM out of Chenoa)

 

[wigfimml]

It was the simple impact screw driver that you hit with a mallet. Actualy in my case, I tried a screwdriver first and one backed right out by hand. The second may have also but decided after using a little force that I didn't want to chance of ruining the top slot, so I used the impact driver. It only took a couple small hits before it started comming out.
WIG

 

[Kurt_JDB]

Seems like in my situation I would be obligated to keep the original tag with the tractor by swapping it to the new main case. Otherwise it will have been "removed from the tractor" when I scrapped the original case.

Also, I don't know the history of the serial number from the donner case, what if it has been reported as stolen?

interesting problem for sure.

Kurt

 

[PBrowning]

Kurt - Yours seems like a classic case for obtaining a genuine Deere tag replacement. I take it that you have photographic evidence of what you changed out in the tractor and BEFORE taking any of the drive rivets out is the time!

The neat thing about obtaining a Deere replacement tag, is that it is Universally recognized and Deere techs do all the work for you!

Here is what a replacement tag looks like. (PatB)

 

[Machinery-Man]

use the real small vise grip...or use an older paid and cut a small lip at the very end. I don't like the idea of the slot as this will look altered. I know those grips will work.

 

[Machinery-Man]

use the real small vise grip...or use an older paid and cut a small lip at the very end. I don't like the idea of the slot as this will look altered. I know those grips will work.

 

[jd b puller]

(quoted from post at 22:22:45 09/05/10) Isn't this illegal in some states?

Frog, according to "dumblaws.com", it's illegal to flick boogers into the wind in Alabama, I think he'll be ok taking the tag off... :lol:

 

[wigfimml]

You can still get the rivets at Deere
WIG

 

[Radiator Bolt Man]

And so also are replacement serial tags!!!!!Here is what one looks like. (PatB)