Breaking old equipment for parts

[Mith]

OK, heres the deal.
Down the road there is a field with lots of old farm machinery in it. The machinery has been sitting there for a good many years. Today the owner offered if I would like to go and take any parts that I might want. Initially there is a topper (bush hog) that she knows I can take bits off. She didnt know what parts from other equipment I could have, so start with the topper.

Anyway, as you can imagine its quite rusty. I'm thinking I'd like the blades and gearbox, and the PTO shaft. The question is, how am I going to go about removing these bits?
There is no way to lift or move this equipment whole. Its big stuff, 6-7' wide. I can probably get my tractor down there, but its nowhere near big enough to move this stuff.

Any ideas how to get the bits out? There isnt any power for tools, unless I get the generator out there.

Thanks

 

[daedong]

Jim, you will get most things apart with strong simple spanners, a good quality cold chisel and just shear bolts off.

[FONT=&quot]Another thought would be if she will give you the lot. Offer a scrap merchant the scrap for nothing if he will oxy cut some parts off for you.[/FONT]

 

[Mith]

Vin, I need to take a better look really. But I'm guessing to get the gearbox off I will have to get the blade(s) off. I think getting the bolts off will be the easy bit, getting the blade off the shaft will be harder.

Thanks

 

[daedong]

Even at 6 or 7 ft you should be able to turn it over with a small winch. Or use a crow bar and lever it up bit by bit blocking as you go.
[FONT=&quot]The blade arms are probably keyed on the shaft so with any luck a good strong puller will do the trick.[/FONT]

 

[Mith]

Looks like I may be lucky so far. The blades are all belt driven, so I dont have to worry about getting shafts apart to remove it from the frame.
It looks like 4 bolts and cutting some threaded rod should get the gearbox, PTO shaft, and pulleys off. I may take 2 of the 3 spindles off too, but the 3rd spindle is destroyed, which presumably is why it stopped being used.

I'll probably take down the spanners that I think I'll need, a hammer, some pliers. Anything else you reckon I'll need?

 

[Melensdad]

Some good penetrating oil to help you break the rust?

I like PB Blaster and Kroil brands if you have them there in England you my want to pick up a couple cans. I'm sure you have access to some equivalent brand if those brands are not available.

For a stuck part that you really want, you might want to soak it over night and come back early the next morning to try to break it free.

 

[Dargo]

Yup, if you can't get them off using oil and wrenches, I've used a O/A torch. If you don't have a torch, I've found that my 18v DeWalt sawsall or my 18v DeWalt grinder with a cutting wheel seem to fit all sizes.

After getting my tractor tied up with over a mile of steel cable earlier this year, I don't travel to my remote property without my above mentioned 18v DeWalt tools. I've seen some cheapo versions of the same thing at our local Rural King that was only about $50 for the entire package including two 18v batteries and charger. All I know is that they are blue and, obviously, made in China. Anyway, great field tools when you're in a bind!

 

[Mith]

Bob, good idea. Probably take a can down, douse them if they wont break free. Though if they dont break free I'll probably round them off trying.

Dargo, I had thought about taking the generator down with the grinder and drill, but I'm not sure the result is worth the effort.

 

[kensfarm]

Dargo has it right.. if you can't un-bolt it.. un-screw it.. etc.. fastest way is to cut the bolt off w/ the grinder. I was thinking portable plasma cutter.. take what you want.. cut the rest up in pieces small enough to haul off for scrap.($)

I hauled/dragged some old equipment from the farm across the street.. 4 row corn planter.. single row pull behind corn harvester.. manure spreader.. old cultipacker.. a bunch of crap(good stuff).