3/8" 5160

I just took a look on the JD website. Their largest tractor that I found with a 3 point hitch is the 9620, which has categor 4/4N lift (over 14,000 lbs).
The shafts you are looking at are on a tractor that is no longer in production, least not one of the new models listed on their website, but it appears that its either a category I or II lift which is going to be under 5000lbs. So I would guess that those shafts aren't even close to the biggest you could get. There are many more tractors that size in use which would make the worn out shafts that size much more plentiful, but if your talking about new ones it shouldn't matter. I don't have time to track down a part number for you right now though.
 
Our John Deer rep. visited Riverton, what we found out, the load control shafts are all date coded. This is also true for most JD parts. This means that if a bladesmith wants to pick up several shafts from the same batch, the date code would probably be the best predictor of the batch of steel they are from.
He stated the newer tractors may use something diffferent than the 5160 we are talking about, this is a maybe - probably situation. The reps do not get overly excited about selling steel to knife makers, this is just because it is a new concept to them.

Our dealer stated that it would be cost effective to procure them through the standard stock order rather than special order them.
The price of a 4630 load control shaft in Riverton is $105.00.

The requirement of all same batch would only be evident to the bladesmith who wants to push it as far as he can, with as few variables as possible coming from the steel. Medium High Performance blades can be achieved through the use of any load control shaft I have worked with.
 
ED I'm wondering if a steel foundry can find out the process that JD orders by
and just make it to those spec's, I'm sure they can make it, but getting the info would be the catch. I'm thinking with analyzing the steel this should reveal the mix anyway, then make it. :confused:
 
What your wanting to do is quite possible, but also quite costly. My brother is actually working on his PHD in materials science and has done similar projects for the company he works for. A client has a product they have been manufacturing one way, and want to switch to a new method, but first they have the material (after manufacturing) characterized to find out exactly what happens to it and whether or not the new method will do the same thing.
They do a lot of work taking scans of it with SEM and TEM, and doing a whole lot of stuff I'll never understand. I'm sure that if you found the right firm and had the money you could get a load shaft characterized and then go to a steel company and see if they could duplicate it.
I doubt anyone here has the cash though, and I don't know if JD would have any legal recourse against you either :confused:

I think a better bet, would be to find the parts number for the load shaft size you want, and then sweet talk a dealer into ordering a large quantity of them when they are restocking. This would hopefully get you a batch of shafts from the same batch of steel and the same manufacturing run.
 
very good..
it's same adage as mass produced compared to custom made.. :)
production steel to make custom knives..
 
:D hehe I just got this but I still have to follow it up..so I'm not giving numbers right now..

Dan,
Sorry it took me so long to get back to you, but had to go thru channels which eventually led back to the John Deere factories, purchasing agents, etc... I think it was worth the wait though as I have found the source for you. You may call: Karen xxxxxxxx
Metal xxx Mfg.
Phone: xxxxxxxxxx
My contacts tell me that the particular steel you are looking for is very hard to source right now, but she has some of this steel and may be able to work something out with you.
I hope this information will prove valuable to you in your efforts.
Sincerely,
Pete Poole
Parts Manager
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, INC.


If this fallows through it could be good :)
 
The John Deer control shaft out of the 4630 weighs 8 pounds, costs $105 delivered in Riverton and probably about the same most places in the US. Just out of wanting to know, what do other steels that bladesmiths buy from the steel outfits cost in comparison?
 
I'm thinking if we can get this in flat bar, same grade as the JD load shafts,
then the stock grinder can have a go at the same steel.
it wound be intersting to compair the two, forged and S/Ground.
 
To answer Ed's question on other steel cost per pound...

I just got a quote for some Crucible S30V at $17.80 (+ or -) per pound. That was based on a 78 lb. order. It would probably be substantially more per pound if only ordering 10 or so lbs.
 
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