Farm Equipment - Rail repair ?

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Rail repair ?

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Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
Forum Description: everything about Allis-Chalmers farm equipment
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=191333
Printed Date: 25 Aug 2025 at 5:43pm
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Topic: Rail repair ?

Posted By: DCAC
Subject: Rail repair ?
Date Posted: 17 Oct 2022 at 9:04pm

Hello Gentlemen, I have a powershift rim that has a chunk gone out of one of the rails, hard to tell if it broke or if someone cut it out, as it's broken on both ends right in the middle of the holes in the rail. In other words, it is gone between two holes, with half the hole on each end still showing. It's a real nice rim otherwise and I'd like to use it. My plan is to drill 3-4 holes where the missing part of the rail was for plug welding a new section in from another shot rim. I'm going to cut the existing rail back past the half holes, bevel the ends, and the ends of the replacement section, and weld them together, along with the plug welds along the rail, similar to how the rails are spot welded to the rim from the factory. It'll all be ground down and smoothed out so hopefully it won't be noticeable. Has anyone else done such a project? If so, how did it work out for you?

Replies:

Posted By: JC-WI
Date Posted: 17 Oct 2022 at 11:02pm

I would suggest finding another good rim.

Or my second choice would be to salvage the whole lock rail and weld that on instead. And would use a plasma cutter to remove the rails, they are cleaner and cooler cutting than a torch.

-------------
He who says there is no evil has already deceived himself
The truth is the truth, sugar coated or not. Trawler II says, "Remember that."

Posted By: DCAC
Date Posted: 18 Oct 2022 at 6:58am

Thanks JC-WI, replace the entire rail for strength and straightness reasons?

Posted By: BrianC
Date Posted: 18 Oct 2022 at 8:19am

I never had to cut out and replace a section, but I did build-up weld once (all 4). Was all beat up from running with the eccentrics loose. Was fairly easy, weld grind weld. I am not a good welder. In the end it looked pretty.

What size rim, how many rails? The holes you speak of, these are for the stop body clamp bolts? Only one rail on the rim has these holes as far as I know. How long of a section is missing?

So I was looking at mine right now (12x28), thinking it would be easier to do as you suggested (insert short piece). Less issues with re-positioning/clocking, less surgery. But again, I have never done this.

Posted By: DCAC
Date Posted: 18 Oct 2022 at 9:31am

Brian C, It is a 16" X 28", for 18.4x 28 tire, 4 rail, two rails have holes on these rims, and the holes are for the stop bolts/clamp. The chunk that is missing is 6-7", whatever the distance is between the holes. I figured I'd cut the existing rail back past the half hole showing on each end, so I don't have to redrill the holes, and cut out a corresponding chunk out of the other rim to match it. It sounds simple enough, but it has to be done carefully so it all works and looks correct. I'm not good at posting pics on here, but I'll take some pics if someone is interested, maybe someone could post them on here? Thanks for your reply!

Posted By: DCAC
Date Posted: 18 Oct 2022 at 9:40am

I also figured I'd use a grinder and cut-off wheel to cut the rail back, and the replacement section to length; might have to take into consideration where the factory spot welds are at before cutting, and make the necessary adjustments.