Help A Dummy?

This should be easy, but I'm functioning with half a pee brain. :>(

I need to drill some holes in the fish plates to mount my loader irons to the tractor rails. Have to use grade 8, 5/8" bolts and will have to buy a couple of heavy duty drill bits as this is some thick stuff.

What size hole do I drill to give a good, "factory" type fit?

Thanks,

Allan

Mahalo,
doogdoog

• Cole drill

1/32" over is pretty much industry standard, unless you bolt the pieces together with the first hole and then drill all the rest of the holes in both pieces while clamped together. Then any slight burs on the bolts or the holes will make the bolts reluctant to go in the hole. Chewing up threads with a tight hole doen't make bolts go into nuts well.

If you have to measure from existing holes to make new holes, 1/16" at 5/8" diameter may not be enough. Then you use the drill or a large file to slide a hole over a little.

Gerald J.

1/16 over is standard, I went with 5/8 and hand reaming to minimize slip.

You got a drill press? Drilling freehand will test your mettle (pun intended).

Then before doing any drilling measure from back of this OR From ^o to ^o bottom to bottom or any way you go.

drill you holes exactly the size of bolt.

that way no movement in iron.

Bill

I've read this three times and I think what you're telling me is to just leave the loader over on that other tractor? :>)

Allan

Don't laugh, that's what I'm marryin' ths iron to. :>(

Alln

This outfit is way out in the country and I'm having to use a half inch drill, the old eyeball and a heck of a lot of muscle.

Thanks Henry,

Allan

Now, I've measured, angled, cyphered, stood on my head and done it all over again to make darned sure this thing will fit.

Will you please guarantee me that I'm drilling in the correct locations? I'm known for cutting the board off three times and it's still too darned short. :>)

Allan

Think I'm gonna bolt the whole gizmo on to the tractor as close as I can get it using just two bolts and a couple of chains on the rear axles; then go pull under and "lightly" mount the loader to the frame.

At that point, I should be able to tell exactly where to bind the ol' heifer up permanent.

Allan

Do you have a set of transfer punches? The right size one will get the holes in the fish plates in the right locations.

Pete

Bear with me 'cause I've spent the better part of 60 years coming out of the saddle head/nose first.

I don't even know what you're talking about. :>(

Allan

Transfer punches are similar to straight drift punches only they have a small point on one end.
You clamp the piece with holes to the piece you want to drill matching holes in and then put a transfer punch that just fits in each hole and smack it good with a hammer. This leaves a punch mark in the other piece which marks the center of each new hole. Drill each hole with about a 1/8 bit to give you a pilot hole and then increase the drill size to required diameter.

Pete

However,

This chunk of metal is about 12 feet long, heavy and it has to bolt to the side rails of this tractor. It has to be placed just about "exact" to let that quick-tach loader set down in that saddle, engage the alignment stubs and then pin up.

Sooooo oo, I'm thinking.

Would you or Colorado Ken like to buy a really nice Hydro 70 tractor? It isn't being used right now. :>(

Allan

I guess I misunderstood what you needed to do. Sorry about that.

I'm all Green and only have about 2 acres so I don't have any need for a Hydro 70 or anything else that big. Yeah I know, you were only kidding.

Pete

This loader mount came off of a John Deere. You should have it, I'm thinkin'. :>)

Allan

We all know your're gonna get her on there one way or the other.

Dave

Some of those horses have also kicked me in the head on numerous occasions.

What the heck is a magnetic drill? :>)

Allan