IH obsolete parts availability

It does sound like a dumb idea because it would be expensive and the gearbox would only fit a few models for only a few years. Nonetheless, it would allow people with an incomplete trailer or fast hitch Electrall to add significant value to their SMTA thru 560. Beat-up Electrall junk sometimes attracts high bids on eBay. A fellow near Des Moines, IA usually gets it.

I suppose the design could be altered to fit 300 thru 656 or 686(?). The output is "live" and other equipment such as air compressors, hydraulic pumps, welders, and other generators could be driven off of it. Yes, I realize that the belt pulley gearbox is available for these applications but it is not "live" and some may find that is a desirable feature for their application.

The purpose of this post is to find out what IHC did with their old Electrall parts, or any obsolete parts inventory. Did they scrap the stuff or liquidate it to another business?

I sent a list of 11 part numbers to my local dealer and everything came back as "discontinued" or "invalid part #". I seem to recall, many years ago, this same dealer had another source for discontinued "new old stock" parts. Is anybody aware of a business that buys up and specializes in IH discontinued parts?

Some of you may refer me to an article in the Jan-Feb 2001 Red Power Mag. It says that The Farmall Works received some excess Electralls from the truck division for disposal to farm equipment dealers. It doesn't indicate what FW did with the parts that they may have held in inventory for awhile.

But getting back to the subject, pattern makers use shrinkage rulers. If I recall, I think cast iron is a little less than 10%. I am sure the rulers are offered on the internet somewhere.

The Electrall gearbox is located above the gear that sends power to the IPTO shaft below. There is an idler gear in the box that meshes with this gear. The idler, in turn, meshes with the output gear and shaft above it. I don't think it is vital that I retain the exact ratio. + or - 5% would be close enough for government work. That of course would affect bearing location.

I am going to start by showing my project to the head of the Machine Shop of my local vocational school. I used to go to adult education night school there before I bought my own equipment. He knows his trade and all the local shops. He probably trained many of their employees. They have a Hardindge that can cut spiral gears so I am sure he can offer some advice on that aspect of the job.

I am assuming that IHC used wood positives to create a cavity in the sand mold, then flowed hot iron into the cavity. There may be a blacksmith club in your area that may be able to put you in touch with local home foundries. All this stuff can be done in your back yard.

I had never thought of doing my own casting. But it is true the primitive industrial and artistic societies have been doing it for years. Seeing as this would be a limited run and that I have no other stuff I need cast, I would either have to make multiple identical patterns and cores or pour the castings in many different "heats". A foundry can more easily cast my part as they pour other jobs. The labor cost and return on invested capital is insignificant for them but huge for me.

At this point, I can see an initial run of 10 gearboxes. I am sure I could sell those. It would be nice if I could eventually make several hundred but who knows. I have no idea what the market is like. Costs will be high and probably restrict sales.

I see the castings and related machine work as being one of the easiest aspects of this job. The gears will be a problem for me. The idler gear is 39 teeth and I can't find one. 40 teeth is standard and I don't know anything about pitch diameters, pressure angles, modulesses, requirements for grinding or unground, heat treating, etc. It is over my head and I will need help. The first step is to remove my gearbox and show it to professionals. Thank goodness it only weighs about 10 lbs.

scotty

If you don't have an exploded view of the gearbox, I could send you one. They are available in the back of the 400-450 parts book. Email me.

You can sign in as a "non-dealer", and see if they have any parts you can use. Any results will NOT be priced. You then have to go through a dealer who deals with them, to price, and/or order the parts for you.

This is common on oilwell pulling units, etc. in this part of the country.

I have done business as a customer and a vendor to several foundries in my area (MA) but I think I might send the patterns to Mexico. I know a fellow who reconditions old stoves and has been happy with a foundry in Tijuana. On the other hand, I have seen some substandard foreign cast iron pipe. Inconsistant wall thickness problems.

The most difficult part is an integrated shaft and gear with splines for a pulley. While I do have indexing heads, I can see that part taking me a week to make. I am hoping to find a standard gear that can be keyed to the shaft. This may be how IH did it. I won't know until I remove my gearbox from my tractor and look it over. It would be nice if IH could deliver that part.

Back to Harley-Davidson. It wouldn't surprise me if they make more money licensing their name when it is applied to a T-shirt than making and marketing motorcycles. I don't think they have any control over products that don't carry their trademarked logos.

I don't know the rules on replacement parts but am pretty sure you don't want to cast the IHC logo without permission.

After I wrote the last post, it occurred to me that police regularly confiscate pirited software and knockoffs of expensive watches and women's wear. It would be nice to know the law on this subject. I think a conversation with OEM Tractor Parts or Stiener would clear the air.