sweep rocker arm (sweep torque tube)

[knuckles]

We had a sweep rocker arm (sweep torque tube) brake the other day. Never had this happen before in twenty years. Anyway, the tube is intact but the arm on the sweep crank side broke off about two inches above where the crank arm connects to the sweepdrive shaft. Does anybody know if it is worth welding or buying a new one. The price of a new rocker arm is about $152 at Bowler Supply. I would hate to weld it and have it snap again. It is not a five minute job to change. More like a six pack and a couple of hours. Would appreciate any helpful opions. Thanks. Knuckles [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/confused.gif[/img]

[GPS]

Re: sweep rocker arm (sweep torque tube)

Hey Knuckles, If you have a good arc welder and you are an excellent welder, weld it. If you can take it to a weld shop and they heli arc it for $15 to $25 have them do it. One othe thing. Get used to them breaking in the exact area you described. I have replaced 10 to 12 in the 30 years I have been at the present center. Start a regular visual PM and you can replace a cracked one at your convience and not at your customers expence. Good luck.

[John_Galt]

Re: sweep rocker arm (sweep torque tube)

Two have broken at centers I've worked at over the last 6yrs. One was welded back together with thick strips of metal covering the crack on front and back (top and bottom?)
It is not quite straight but has done well for over 2yrs now.
The other was ordered new from AMF, but the new bushing to replace the pillow block was not mentioned in the catalogue, so machine sat dead for another week or so while CBS shipped us that. Beware, get the parts kit to accompany when ordering!
Hope this helps.

[Rep]

Re: sweep rocker arm (sweep torque tube)

I've been an assistant mechanic for 3 years where I work. We had one go on us about 6 months ago. Yes in the same area you described heh Anyway, we pulled it out and had it welded, no problems since. So you can get away with welding it just make sure they do a good job [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif[/img]

Rep [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif[/img]

[8270king]

Re: sweep rocker arm (sweep torque tube)

Since I have no problem having a dissenting opinion...SCREW WELDING IT!!!!!!!!!! It does not make any sense to weld it...payroll is a cost to....time to take it to get it welded....time to r&r.....buy a new one....If it was Brunswick - weld it....AMF is worthy of new parts....come on Magic I need a hand!

king

ps..I bleed AMF pinwheel red
ps....Magic your humor is the best...dial it up!

[knuckles]

Re: sweep rocker arm (sweep torque tube)

Thanks everbody. I think I'll buy a new rocker arm. I feel there's too much stress on that part of the arm to take a chance. Just my thoughts. I do get other parts welded, but those parts are easier to get in and out. Thanks Hey King, I went to a lane maintance seminar at Bowler Supply in York Pa. The president of Kegel was there and was talking and talking, get the message. Well he starts talking about a tournament he was doing the lanes for back in the 80's and the owner approached him and says "I don't want any lefthanders to win" sound familar. I remember that story you told a while back in another thread. I'm pretty sure it was about abc tournaments or scoring, somewhere in that area. Strange things you hear when you get around. I know this has nothing to do with sweep rocker arms, but I had to tell you this. If there is anymore to the story you can e-mail me at [email protected] knuckles [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif[/img]

[BowlEquip]

Re: sweep rocker arm (sweep torque tube)

Couple of tips about welding rocker arms: make sure the break is clean enough that you can put the pieces together tight. Give it to your welder with the whole area stripped clean of paint. Tell him/her to get good penetration without generating too much heat so it doesn't get brittle.
Keep at least one spare on hand for every 20 lanes.
If you prefer the original type, Vantage has it.
If you like AMF's new style (lot cheaper), it's available as individual parts or as a kit.

[ April 07, 2001: Message edited by: BowlEquip ]

[the old dirt man]

Re: sweep rocker arm (sweep torque tube)

BOWL EQUIP' IS MUCK HEAT SOMETHING NEW???PLEASE FILL ME IN [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/confused.gif[/img] AS I'M NOT A GREAT WELDER [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/frown.gif[/img] IS THAT WITH ARC OR GAS,OR WIRE MIG [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif[/img] THANKS CRUD

[John_Galt]

Re: sweep rocker arm (sweep torque tube)

On ours, we had a league bowler who dabbles in all sorts of mechanical stuff, and was tickled at the opportunity to help us out. Hey, it was worthless as it was, he couldn't make it worse!
He did not clean the paint off enough before welding, that thing still stunk when he brought it back. But it works!
This is another area where LINKS NEED TO BE STRONGER! Hey Gordon, make us some sweep tubes that are actually strong where the stress goes! And make us some table tubes that are strong around the bolt holes! We'll buy em faster than you can make em!
Make sure pillow blocks fit to the ends!

King - I'm watching my mouth now, don't want to skate further out into the pond...
Thanks though.
BTW, bleed pinwheel red, a raised eyebrow ROFL! When the blood dries, its kind of a Spectrum Brown...

[ April 06, 2001: Message edited by: AMF Magic ]

[Ed Fox]

Re: sweep rocker arm (sweep torque tube)

Quote:]King - I'm watching my mouth now, don't want to skate further out into the pond...
Thanks though[/QUOTE]

WUSS!!!!! Just kidding Mike!! [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif[/img]

Charlie [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif[/img]

[BowlEquip]

Re: sweep rocker arm (sweep torque tube)

CRUD: My keyboored can't spell when I"M tired. BEQ.

[the old dirt man]

Re: sweep rocker arm (sweep torque tube)

BOWL EQIP; YEAH I KNOW SOMETIMES I LOOK AT THE KEY I WANT AND STILL PRESS THE WRONG ONE.I JUST GOT A COMPUTER ABOUT 7 MONTH'S AGO AND I'M GETTING FAST,UP TO 4 WORDS A MINUTE [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/eek.gif[/img] BUT I THINK I'M GETTING FASTER THE MORE CRUD I DRINK

[John_Galt]

Re: sweep rocker arm (sweep torque tube)

Crud- be careful, you don't want to be in my shoes. Linds, BTW. Watch the alcohol intake when posting, was nearly the death of me. Afterwards, though... Empty that case!

Ed - yeah, but I rather fancy being a BT member. Would hate to go the way of Deadwood.

Rep- hey, man right ON! The more damage a part has incurred, and the longer it is able to live, the MORE CHARACTER IT HAS! If you've got a 50-year old motor and can make it run with a new set of points, it is far superior to ANY new "AO Smith" piece of cow dung!

Knuckles- ya know, "out with the old, in with the new" may do for promotions and PR, but NOT for machines. Parts are like employees, the longer they've been in the biz, the more they know how to handle problems. If I have a used spare and a new spare, I will invariably put the used spare on. It knows what to do.