Pit cushion

[yazu]

Just had one break and fall into the pit. It was welded a few years back. This wil be a fun time for an old fat guy like me. Bad knees and all.

[brentman1]

Time to use brains, not brawn! Couple ratchet straps around cushion up to ball track, you can pull up and swing around and pull out back with 75% less work. My favorite tool,i use them for everything, they make up for lack of strength for an old guy like me!

[webee]

Awesome idea, Brentman. I'll remember that.

[Lonnie_Mitchell]

It was welded a few years back.

This is why I don't weld these high impact parts. A new cushion would usually last about another 50 years whereas welded ones get changed and re-welded constantly.
JMO

Good luck taking it out. Old farts like us and our aching joints don't work so well with these heavy parts.

[amechwannabe]

Isn't that what pinchasers are for? Strong backs and weak minds?

[wepauls]

Isn't that what pinchasers are for? Strong backs and weak minds?

MAN THAT WAS HARD

L O L

[Steve Stafford (JBEES)]

Lonnie...I have welded reinforcement plates onto pit cushions and have seen great results. Some of these plates have been on for about 15 years now with no signs of cracking. Have you tried these? If so...what has been your experience with the longevity of the repair?

[yazu]

Large crack on this one and my spare. How do you not heat up the rubber when repairing? Just run small bead, let cool, and attack again? That will take some time to complete.

[Steve Stafford (JBEES)]

I did mine a bit at a time...yes it takes time but it won't take that long. Part of the rubber will separate from the cushion but I have seen no real issues from this. I usually use a form fit pit cushion cover after this repair and I think that probably assists the rubber to stay in place.

[brentman1]

I have one i did many years ago, broke completely vertically right in middle. I sliced the rubber, probably about 5 or 6 inches wide then v'd the crack on backside and ran a heavy bead on it and while hot peeled the rubber out of the front. Cleaned that up and v,d the front and did a small bead on it, then came back with real heavy beads on both sides. Ground the rubber piece off to fit over the weld best i could then reattached the piece i cut out with Devcon. I can hardly believe it, but it is still on and holding good to this day. I have a couple that i put end plates on that have broken loose that i may try the same thing. I have used quite a few of the end plates and overall they work really well.

[Lonnie_Mitchell]

Lonnie...I have welded reinforcement plates onto pit cushions and have seen great results. Some of these plates have been on for about 15 years now with no signs of cracking. Have you tried these? If so...what has been your experience with the longevity of the repair?

These plates will do great if it is properly prepped before welding and will last quite long as you point out. I have had a good experience with the ones that were welded by a professional. However, I have seen (and I am sure you have too) many owners that are not welders and without mechanics, buy the right parts, grab the welder and attempt to do the welding themselves. Makes for a weak weld and a terrible mess. Others just try to weld the crack and end up burning the rubber or catching it on fire.

I guess what I MEANT to say is, if you can't weld and a professional welder is not available or the cost of the plates and a prof-welder would cost more than a new cushion... Go with the New Cushion!
Is that stated better Steve?

[Steve Stafford (JBEES)]

LOL...yep, I understand what you were trying to say...and I have seen some of those types of welds you are referring to. Some of them look like my 8 year old would have welded them. Popcorn welds I call them...looks like globs of popcorn stuck on the metal. Prep work is soooo important for a good weld. Many have no idea how to do it properly and the end result might as well have been done with packing tape.

Of course, there is an alternative to a metal pit cushion altogether. Scripps sells a "plastic" pit cushion and although it sounds like it wouldn't work...I have been testing one for Bill for about 4 years now and it is doing just fine. Just an alternative to the heavy pit cushion that so many of us dread to have to pull when something goes wrong.

[yazu]

Reinstalled the welded one today. Looks like he got good penatration. Will see how it works out.

[yazu]

Just found another one with cracks on both ends. I'm to old for this.

[brentman1]

Just found another one with cracks on both ends. I'm to old for this.

I agree on that last comment, have 3 or 4 to weld when i get time. Only way i get them to last i slice a strip of the rubber so when i weld the back side, i peel the rubber off the cushion while it is still hot and get a good weld on front side, then groove the rubber to fit over weld, and put rubber back into place using Devcon. I have one i did probably 15 years ago that broke vertically right in the middle i did this way and it is still holding. A real PITA to do, but they will hold as long as you get a good weld.