[Yosemite Sam]

I really like the idea of the "wear plate" I may look into that for some of my own tractors.

I think the "Square Hole" from xtreme is really a fantastic idea.

However, I can't see going through all the trouble of cutting a big hunk of the lever off only to weld another back in its place.

If you're gonna be in there with a welder, why not just weld what needs to be welded, file the corners square again and be done.

I don't know if it's the actual "filing" part that is scary to people or what, but quite frankly, I don't know that I have ever spent more than a few minutes (in each corner) with a file (it would take a LOT longer just to cut the old part off than it does to file the corners).

Not that it's a really big deal if you cover the shaft area with a wet rag, but why would you want to put more heat on it (and closer to the actual seal) than you really need to?

PLEASE, if I'm missing something here, I would really appreciate a heads up.

For what it's worth, I've done 6 or 7 of my own hydro's and it has always worked out alright.