How to remove rockshaft from 1812
 

Hey guys, long time listener, first time caller...

I have an 1812 and the rockshaft lifting tabs are sheared off. I bought what appeared to be the correct replacement but it's not nearly as beefy as what's currently on the tractor.

The bigger issue is that I can't figure out how to remove the existing one! I've been applying heat with a MAPP gas torch & then hitting the pin with freeze spray & coating the thing with PB Blaster to no avail. I've been beating the crap out of the retaining pin (I hope it's a retaining pin) and nothing is happening. I attached a picture of the rockshaft, the pin is the shiny silver thing on the left. It's easy to take picture of it with the tractor standing on end. :biggrin2:

I currently have the engine out of the tractor as I just replaced the stupid ignition module. I'm assuming it's easier to do the rockshaft with the engine out, correct me if I'm wrong. I'm about ready to find a shop that can do the work for me as I'm about out of ideas.

They are a PITA to get out. Oxy Acetylene torch a punch and a Bid Hammer sometimes will do the job. I’ve heard of people drilling them out with a carbide drill. This is what it should look like per Parts Tree

Ok, so based on my picture and the parts tree picture, the shiny silver thing I'm whaling on is the pin that is holding item #2 onto the rockshaft.

I might try drilling it because I don't have an oxy torch. Has anybody tried cutting the outer sleeve of the rockshaft off with an angle grinder? The one in there is toast so no biggie.

If I had known the rockshaft was toast I probably would have passed on the tractor. I'll be checking that from now on with any future tractors.

Not of much help, but wanted to welcome you to OCC!

An 1812 is a sweet machine. Busted rock shaft or not you will like it.

Maybe this is a dumb question but do you have a good shaft part #2? I'm thinking it may be easier to just take a sawzall to it and replace the whole thing.

I'm thinking the same as Sam. Using a BFH can't be too good on the stress to the frame. I think I would put a zerk fitting on the new one to. I had one that was rusted together and it took forever to free it up. Good luck!

"Ok, so based on my picture and the parts tree picture, the shiny silver thing I'm whaling on is the pin that is holding item #2 onto the rockshaft."

It looks to me there is no pin going through rock shaft and #2. The shiny thing is #2 you see through a hole in the rock shaft? Are you pounding into the hole?:bigthink:

That's what it is.There is no pin in mine.

Parts 1 & 2 are pinned together with 2 pins between the lift tabs. Parts 3 is not. If you were beating on the hole in the left on the outside of the tab then you were hitting the shaft of #2 and probably damaged it. I never had to remove on yet but from what I hear they are hard. Your only choice now may be to cut it and get parts 1 & 2.

I've never taken this part apart, BUT, the parts list does not show any pin through the rock shaft and the #2 shaft. Maybe they are bonded together as one piece at the factory?

I know for a fact they come apart hard we had one that a 25 ton press would not move and it was out of the tractor my thinking is replace the whole thing

Pretty sure the pins you need to remove are in the holes that I have indicated with the red arrows.

Personally after doing a few of these, its easier to just cut everything out and find some good used parts to put back in. Once those things start galling by going in circles, after the pins break its nearly impossible to try to get them to come apart. Good luck.

Just wondering if they are this hard to remove then how will he find one that is in decent shape to reuse?

Just cut the frame on one side and it comes out easy.

most times if you can get them in a press they come apart nice but yes the only way to take them out whole is cut the frame

My 1572 had rusted together also some time in the past. I drilled mine as to accept a needle fitting on my grease gun. Haven't had a problem since.