THE BEAST

[David69]

The BEAST.... Howard Rotavator E Series II Selectatilth.
Everyday is a another small victory that brings me closer to completion! New C shape tines and I think am ready to go after some considerable welding and straighten out of this and that. ..Small leak in chain case probably a seal at bearing. I heard that replacing the 90 gear oil with a EP Grease 00, apple sauce pouring consistency, would eliminate the leak and work fine..Any thoughts on this matter would be appreciated.

 

[aurthuritis]

http://www.greenpartstore.com/John-Deere-Special-Purpose-Corn-Head-Gun-Grease-AN102562.html

John Deere corn head grease is what i use for leaky boxes. it is a lithotrophic grease that is solid when parts aren't moving but liquefy when in motion. it stays put.

 

[ovrszd]

Yep, what he said.

I see you got the lower pins figured out and located where they'll work for ya.

 

[shinnery]

Corn Head Grease is what is used in track rollers on crawlers. It is either grade 0 or 00. You should be able to get it at green or yellow John Deere Dealers. It comes in grease gun tubes.
Bryce

 

[David69]

Thanks men..that's what I needed to hear. The grease gun affair is perfect. Trying to pour 00 grease in the filler hole would have been tricking.

 

[David69]

Finished welding all cracks, etc, stopped leaks, and finally mounted the Howard on the tractor for a fit. Oh replaced all 30 tines after more than a 1/2 century of rusted and worn smooth nuts and bolts.. Lucked out didn't have to cut any. Something called Kroil works wonders..better than my old favorite PB Blaster. Now to purchase a PTO guard and when the weather changes maybe a coat of paint. She be solid!

 

[bczoom]

Sweet! Nicely done.
The before/after image of the tines is quite revealing.

I'm a firm believer in Kroil. Between Kroil and Fluid Film, the PB Blaster, WD-40 and all others just sit on the shelf unused.

 

[ovrszd]

David, I like it. Great to see dependable old machinery brought back to life!!! I'm slightly jealous, but I'll get over it...

 

[bordercollie]

That is a real treasure David. They don't make them that well any more. Congratulations on your hard work ! collie

 

[628pm]

Great looking piece of equipment, that should take care of anything you need done with that type of tool.

 

[aurthuritis]

I think you coulda got another year or two outa those tines.

 

[pepr]

David69, agree that Kroil is some wonderful penetrant. We use it at the Nuclear Power Plant and I also use it on the farm. I've not found a better product.

Great job on your Howard. I looked online at them a few years ago. Boy, are they expensive.

I ended up purchasing a 90" wide Phoenix, made in Italy. Sure can till the garden much quicker with the 90" tractor versus the 20" walk-behind.

Philip

 

[David69]

Thank you. What makes overhauling a piece of old equipment feasible today is the availability of the internet. Manuals and parts list for the Howard E Series II Rotavator ares still available. Plus Youtube videos and various blogs on any subject help out tremendously. I wouldn't be able to do it otherwise. I am not a farmer but I am learning so much from sites like this. It's all just great I bought PTO shield today. I didn't realize how easy a mistake like getting caught up in the PTO can be...even fatal!. I heard that mining and farming are the most dangerous in that order. Of course logging is right up there as well, my present profession.

 

[David69]

The Beast is painted

..Painted and now waiting for decals from England. Now waiting for Spring.

 

[Scott.deitrich]

Great job! It looks great.

 

[David69]

Great job! It looks great.

Thanks Scott

 

[bczoom]

Wow! Looks like a brand new implement. Job well done!

 

[bordercollie]

Very very nice !

 

[David69]

Wow! Looks like a brand new implement. Job well done!

Thanks bczoom!. Certainly a learning experience with this first Howard. They are built like a tank!

 

[David69]

Very very nice !

Thanks Collie