Some of you might remember I picked up a tiller a couple of months ago. I posted some pictures after I painted it.
I always intended on fixing the tines because they were worn REALLY BAD. The tiller just bounced in the air about 3 inches when I tried to till and it didn't even go into the ground. The tines were worn so the taper on the blade would just lift the tiller instead of cutting into the ground. The tiller has 24 tines and they are around $6-$7 a piece. Before replacing the tines completely I decided to give rebuilding them a try. I ordered a can of Kasenit hardening compound.
I welded 3 x 1.5 x .25 inch pieces of steel on the bottom of the tines. Then I ground a taper in the correct direction.
There were quite a few but it didn't take long.
I went over to my dads place to use his torch. We had an assemble line going. He would heat one up cherry red then as I was dipping it into the compound he would heat another and so on. First you heat the tines cutting edge cherry hot, then dip it in the compound. You reheat it cherry red again the slosh it around in cold water. Now the tines are hardened. Today I put the tines on and man do they bite.
I tilled behind some old lilacs tonite and notice that even with new tines you cant till up red bricks, concrete blocks, or 1.5" tree roots. Bricks and Blocks?? I have those stupid things all over the yard just under the surface of the ground!
I always intended on fixing the tines because they were worn REALLY BAD. The tiller just bounced in the air about 3 inches when I tried to till and it didn't even go into the ground. The tines were worn so the taper on the blade would just lift the tiller instead of cutting into the ground. The tiller has 24 tines and they are around $6-$7 a piece. Before replacing the tines completely I decided to give rebuilding them a try. I ordered a can of Kasenit hardening compound.
I welded 3 x 1.5 x .25 inch pieces of steel on the bottom of the tines. Then I ground a taper in the correct direction.
There were quite a few but it didn't take long.
I went over to my dads place to use his torch. We had an assemble line going. He would heat one up cherry red then as I was dipping it into the compound he would heat another and so on. First you heat the tines cutting edge cherry hot, then dip it in the compound. You reheat it cherry red again the slosh it around in cold water. Now the tines are hardened. Today I put the tines on and man do they bite.
I tilled behind some old lilacs tonite and notice that even with new tines you cant till up red bricks, concrete blocks, or 1.5" tree roots. Bricks and Blocks?? I have those stupid things all over the yard just under the surface of the ground!