[attorney_barnabas_collins]

2 42" blades into a 54" using only cutting grinding welding and banging w /B*H.

I picked up this ragged looking 42" blade off craigslist the other day for $50. I have had this other with no mounting subframe for probably 8 years after a friend forced me to buy it sight unseen for $5.
The only wide frame I have is an 1811 that is not a keeper. My diesel cub super is staying, and I'd love to have a blade for it, but since I have never personally seen one, I'm going to butcher these 2 and make a 54" super out of it. At least that's the plan for tomorrow.
Going to remove the scraping edge, then the shoes, cut the bent outside edges off and then whatever I need off the donor blade grind the edges down to metal and weld them on. Then add whatever metal I need to the subframe to fit the Super frame. Then grind the welds and sandblast everything and paint it before using it.
That's the plan anyway, open to RW change. I won't have that many hours tomorrow on it, but maybe Thursday.

 

[CADplans]

Re: 2 42" blades into a 54" using only cutting grinding welding and banging w /B*H.

Boy, the way you got them positioned in the pic, all I can think of is the hydraulic "V" blade I saw on YouTube.

2 hydraulic cylinders and a vertical pivot pin in the middle!!

60" wide combined width, Hmmmmm..............:not_worth



raying: You just gotta do it!!

 

[jsoluna]

Re: 2 42" blades into a 54" using only cutting grinding welding and banging w /B*H.

Awesome, I remember you talking about this a while back!

 

[attorney_barnabas_collins]

Re: 2 42" blades into a 54" using only cutting grinding welding and banging w /B*H.

Sorry, no hydraulic angle. I really have only needed to plaow the snow 1-3 times a Winter in the last 10 years. I remember bad winters like the 80's but we don't get that much any more. I might do some dirt grading later this Spring and my Cub 100 already has a 42" to push around. But the 1782 would be a lot more fun.

 

[JRC IOWA]

Re: 2 42" blades into a 54" using only cutting grinding welding and banging w /B*H.

I can't wait to see it when it is done

 

[U.S.A Tractor Joe]

Re: 2 42" blades into a 54" using only cutting grinding welding and banging w /B*H.

Does the 1782 have lights , ABC ? I would coinsider plow lights off the plow frame. Plug them in when and if you need them. I say go for the 54" push blade!:fing32:

 

[attorney_barnabas_collins]

Re: 2 42" blades into a 54" using only cutting grinding welding and banging w /B*H.

!782 does have lights. First some photos of the 42" blades. One was rough as rough...1/4" of metal was worn off the lower frame and one bolt was half worn through. the next one wasn't a whole lot better. This one had a slightly better middle though. This one was the one I welded the others outer ends to.
The cutting edge is reversible and the other end will be used to add to the blade.

 

[attorney_barnabas_collins]

Re: 2 42" blades into a 54" using only cutting grinding welding and banging w /B*H.

The gap between bolt holes on the cutting strip is 6.5" I was needing to add 6" to both ends to get 54". I decided to cut them at the bolt holes to keep from having to do some wierd drilling just to make them 1/2" less, so now I actually have a 55" blade.
I forgot to photo the ground off clean edges before I welded the chunks together on the shop floor. Believe it or not, I used a sawzall to cut the blades apart and even though I went to a lot of trouble to mark the cut lines straight, the sawzall is no jigsaw and I did have some 1/8" gaps to fill welding it back up. That's what mig wire is good for. Tacked it and welded it up with the 42" cutting edge to make sure I had the spacing right. I'll weld the 13" of better ends of the worn one to this one and make darned sure they are straight.
Yesterday was a rain out, and tomorrow, Dyllon (my "little" from big brother/big sister program who I have done something every week since he was 12) and me are going hiking for the last time in who knows how long. He is going into the NAVY Tues. (I told him, best food, warm bed)

 

[jsoluna]

Re: 2 42" blades into a 54" using only cutting grinding welding and banging w /B*H.

That blade looks huge!!!

 

[attorney_barnabas_collins]

Re: 2 42" blades into a 54" using only cutting grinding welding and banging w /B*H.

The supers are wider and I guess they need a 54" to cut a path they can fit in. I have no idea why they always stop at 54" though. Deere 54" and Wheel Horse also stop at 54". Yeah, this is wide...but you should see the one I have left! Anyone need a rusty blade for their self propelled push mower?

 

[jsoluna]

Re: 2 42" blades into a 54" using only cutting grinding welding and banging w /B*H.

Yeah, I'm sure my LB 6.5 would handle it!

 

[attorney_barnabas_collins]

Re: 2 42" blades into a 54" using only cutting grinding welding and banging w /B*H.

Had a couple hours to do some more banging & welding & sandblasting today. Got the piece cut from the bad scraper blade welded on straight. Both pieces are reversed & flipped to use the never worn side. Ground off the welds on the face. Not perfect but ok for using. Thought about putting bondo along the seams but it will probably work fine either way. Haven't ground off the welds on the frame or backside yet.
Will probably just grind them smooth and not perfect. It will be functional. I'm not the best welder, and I only welded maybe an inch at a time and let it cool so as to not warp the metal on the blade too much. makes for a bunch of ugly welds. Hey, it will be white. The one edge of the blade that was worn so much didn't match up too good, I just bridged the 1'4" missing around the cutting strip bolt hole. It will work. I will buy a set of 5/16" carriage bolts to replace the originals. Just using hex screws to build it.
I'll get started on the mounting frame next time..possibly Monday.

 

[mmzullo]

Re: 2 42" blades into a 54" using only cutting grinding welding and banging w /B*H.

Nice job! I have a 50" blade that someone did just what you did. I'm looking for 2 more blades That I can make a 54" blade. The 50" is on the 70. That will go on my 1811 power angle. I was actually thinking to go to 60 but traction is the problem. I really don't use the blade for snow removal because I use a pickup with plow. But I do use it to clean up the snow drifts and piles. The only blades I have left are in real nice shape or are for O's.

 

[JRC IOWA]

Re: 2 42" blades into a 54" using only cutting grinding welding and banging w /B*H.

This is turning out great.Thanks for the update :thanku:

 

[CADplans]

Re: 2 42" blades into a 54" using only cutting grinding welding and banging w /B*H.

The blade is looking great, that is a great width.

You may want to consider going back and getting the abandoned vertical curved ribs to add to the "new" blade out near the ends.

Gravely thought 4 was necessary for a 48" wide blade.

I think they would be needed when the top corner gets "hooked" by some brush or a tree limb, and tries to twist the blade.

Can't wait to see it in paint. That sucker is so big, it deserves two decals!! :fing32:

 

[attorney_barnabas_collins]

Re: 2 42" blades into a 54" using only cutting grinding welding and banging w /B*H.

That's an idea. Anyone have a back view of the 54" IH blade? If it has those i could place them about the same place.

 

[CubQuest]

Re: 2 42" blades into a 54" using only cutting grinding welding and banging w /B*H.

I've got a 54" blade on a 149 but I don't remember it having the outboard ribs. I'll check tomorrow and if it does I'll get you some pictures and measurements.

 

[CubQuest]

Re: 2 42" blades into a 54" using only cutting grinding welding and banging w /B*H.

A 54" is the same as the 42" with just 2 ribs.

 

[attorney_barnabas_collins]

Re: 2 42" blades into a 54" using only cutting grinding welding and banging w /B*H.

Good. I Might just add them over the welds anyway.

 

[attorney_barnabas_collins]

Re: 2 42" blades into a 54" using only cutting grinding welding and banging w /B*H.

It dropped off the priority list but recently I started working on it again. I have the subframe attached to the cub in front and the blade mounted. The lift arm welded to the A frame downwards under the narrow frame upward lift arm, and a lift linkage cobbled up to the hydro lift bellcrank. Lifts fine. I need to fabricate rear mounts to the cub super rear attachment pin. Pics when I get back to it again, probably tomorrow.
Just going to go the 2 trip springs, not the 4 of the real 54" blades because this doesn't have that stout frame and the manual recommends using only 2 springs for snow. 2 springs should keep me out of trouble dirt leveling as well, instead of trying to scrape hard dirt with 4 springs which would probably bend something. I'll keep my eyes open for a real super cub 54" blade but this should do in the meantime.