Sweep Rocker Arm Weldment

[chuck/denverco]

Alright, everyone I am looking for some help. Today during the Womens' State Tornament I had something happen that I have not seen happen before as long as I have been in this mechanic business(22 years), maybe I have been lucky up till now. I inherited this center again, a 40 laner, after someone eles that did not believe in maintenance or upkeep other than duct tape repairs or sloopy unexperience welding. Well, anyway enough bitching. The problem that ocurred today is that I had a sweep rocker arm weldment break in half on the 1-2-6-10 side of the machine.Is it possible with a professional to weld the piece back together or does the weldment have to be removed from the machine, which if this is the case then the weldment should be replaced with a new one. Now, how does a person or persons go about removing the weldment from the machine and what all is involed and what has to be disassembled. It looks like no easy task. I would sure appreciate some serious help and sugguestions. Sorry about writing a book, but to explain a problem. This machines were installed in 1985 and are 82-70s' Thanks for any and all help. Chuck

[Alan Meyers]

Re: Sweep Rocker Arm Weldment

I have welded about three or four in my 24 years. They all broke in the same general area , about 3 or 4 inches from the end of arm where the bolt goes thru.So I assume that is where yours broke.It just really depends on your situation on whether you weld or replace.If you are confident in your welding , do it yourself.If time is not crucial and you don't trust your welding you can hire a pro.Or,if you have a spare rocker arm , change it , then weld it or have someone else weld it and use it for a spare.

[pulse-tech]

Re: Sweep Rocker Arm Weldment

i Have had to weld a few before new one's and old one's
if your good enough you can weld them in the machine but i prefer to take them out.
just so you know you have a good weld on both sides. did the insert for the bolt come right out or did it just peel the rear section of the weldment off

[Alan Meyers]

Re: Sweep Rocker Arm Weldment

Just re-read your post again.I have never changed one myself but I would unbolt everything that is bolted to the rocker arm itself until the only parts holding it onto the machine are the pillow blocks.Then remove both pillow blocks and see if you can twist it out.If not,you may have to remove probably just one of the catwalks or you will just see what needs to be done at that point.

[chuck/denverco]

Re: Sweep Rocker Arm Weldment

In reference to sweep rocker arm post- the leg of the weldment broke away from the main weldment just above where the connecting rods bolt into the weldment.

[pulse-tech]

Re: Sweep Rocker Arm Weldment

That is the most common place chuck
it's a big job to remove it but in the long run you will get a better result

[chuck/denverco]

Re: Sweep Rocker Arm Weldment

Where would a person start to remove the weldment from the machine after disconnecting the connecting rods from both sides of the sweep. Will the weldment come out throigh the top or drop down after pillow blocks are removed. What kind of time frame are we looking at. I have no spare on hand but can get one within a couple of days.

[pulse-tech]

Re: Sweep Rocker Arm Weldment

it comes out through the top take your machine chassis off and remove your catwalks you will be able too see what else needs removing from there

[Clutch Plate]

Re: Sweep Rocker Arm Weldment

You will also need to pull your distributor. Also remove shuttle connecting rod and shuttle spring. Your bin assy. will need to be moved back toward distributor mount. BE CAREFUL!!!

[pulse-tech]

Re: Sweep Rocker Arm Weldment

Yeah it's not a fun job

[Smokey]

Re: Sweep Rocker Arm Weldment

A seriously not fun project. You gotta pull the dist., both catwalks, the chassis mount, the shuttle rod, put two bolts in the back of the bins so they don't slide out, lift up the bin (the book says put a 2x4 under it to hold it up, I believe you also have to pull the pins the bins sit on at the front of the machine, then the pillow blocks holding the rocker arm in, disconnect all rods and, Viola! Took me 4 hours to do my first one. Good luck

[craigchandler]

Re: Sweep Rocker Arm Weldment

its a pretty simple job, that many of us don't have the misfortune of doing

everyones lead you the right way

17 years, i had to weld 1 and fix up someone elses poor weld on another

[Clutch Plate]

Re: Sweep Rocker Arm Weldment

Originally posted by craigchandler:
its a pretty simple job, that many of us don't have the misfortune of doing

everyones lead you the right way

17 years, i had to weld 1 and fix up someone elses poor weld on another

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">In 18 years only had to replace 1. :p

[Rep]

Re: Sweep Rocker Arm Weldment

It is a pain, in my 6 years (64 lane house tho) I've had to help remove 2 to have welded (I wish they'd get new ones but they just have em welded, luckilly no probs with either and they were changed years ago). A long job to say the least, lotsa stuff has to come off

[Steve Stafford (JBEES)]

Re: Sweep Rocker Arm Weldment

Originally posted by craigchandler:
its a pretty simple job

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Everybody else says its a pain...is it?