Chipper blade problem i can't fathom

[rowan lee]

Ooooer,

 

A dealer machine with bolts and blades welded together, you have hardened and tempered high carbon blades, hardened bolts and plain mild steel mig wire (presumably).

 

That’s not what you would call best practice.

 

Take it back and ask (firmly) for a new set of blades and bolts.

 

Nah mate, it was a second hand trade in that a dealer had accepted in part payment for a new something or other. In fairness to the guy, if told me he wouldnt sell it on until a few issues were righted. he had fitted the right bolts before i handed over the money, but unawareness to both of us the blades break during his demonstration - and i left the yard with an unusable machine down 150miles of road to home.

 

After nagging the dude for a month, i have received new blades at last. I just dont want a repeat of the demonstration - fingers crossed.

Edited July 29, 2010 by rowan lee

[treequip]

Nah mate, it was a second hand trade in that a dealer had accepted in part payment for a new something or other. In fairness to the guy, if told me he wouldnt sell it on until a few issues were righted. he had fitted the right bolts before i handed over the money, but unawareness to both of us the blades break during his demonstration - and i left the yard with an unusable machine down 150miles of road to home.

 

After nagging the dude for a month, i have received new blades at last. I just dont want a repeat of the demonstration - fingers crossed.

 

The blades in a chipper are an alloy steel hardened and tempered. Welding them is a big no no and grinding off the scabby weld and fitting new bolts is an accident waiting to happen. If the blades break up its murder death kill when the fly out.

 

The dealer did the right thing supplying new blades but better would have been to discard the abused blades in the first place.

 

Andy

[rowan lee]

The blades in a chipper are an alloy steel hardened and tempered. Welding them is a big no no and grinding off the scabby weld and fitting new bolts is an accident waiting to happen. If the blades break up its murder death kill when the fly out.

 

The dealer did the right thing supplying new blades but better would have been to discard the abused blades in the first place.

 

Andy

 

Sry Andy, i re-read your second last post, and see what your getting at now.

If that is the case then thats probably the most likely situation then, combined with a too large a payload (possibly), lack of shear bolt, and possible over tightening of blades bolts, and uneven and/or dented blade mount.

 

The dealer should have known this, but probably saw me, a young, over enthusiastic fellow flashing cash. cut throat world, and all for the price of a blade. Pity - but lessons learned hard. Tis the only way!

[rowan lee]

Thanks for everyones earlier reply - fitted the new blades, not before cleaning the mating surface with a grind stone. Applied the correct torque to the bolts, and didnt over tighten.

 

First test was a tense moment, waiting for a piece of steel to fly out and rip my guts open. But after an inspection was glad to find the blades (and blades edges still intact) in one piece. Chewing up the branches now, like no tomorrow now. some noise of the beast though.