Steel choice for auger drive

[Justme]

A long time back I altered an ex BT post hole auger so that it was shorter so my then 3.5t digger could use it.

There is a thread here some place about it but a few pics below to show what I am working with.

I now want to us ethe drive unit with a log screw splitter, again pics below.

It needs a round 65mm shaft with one cross drilled hole.

What sort of steel is cost effective that can take the torque and be welded like the adapter plate I used last time so it can bolt up to the drive motor?




PS yes I know the lock nuts are not working as the bolts are too short.
But they are still on tight 16 years later so alls good.

 

[Kram]

At that diameter it shouldnt matter, avoid leaded grades. The grade for the pin, which drives the tool will be far more important, but seems it came with one.

Assuming your not buying a 6 meter lengths then its usually a question of whats available on ebay or locally. Hydrualic bar is often available cheap but a pain to strip the chrome, best done in a well covered lathe.

Do you have a lathe to turn it to size, or you need the exact 65mm?

 

[Brad93]

EN8 chrome hydraulic ram i used last time.

 

[Justme]

At that diameter it shouldnt matter, avoid leaded grades. The grade for the pin, which drives the tool will be far more important, but seems it came with one.

Assuming your not buying a 6 meter lengths then its usually a question of whats available on ebay or locally. Hydrualic bar is often available cheap but a pain to strip the chrome, best done in a well covered lathe.

Do you have a lathe to turn it to size, or you need the exact 65mm?

Sadly no lathe so needs to be correct size.

 

[Turbo]

Whatever log you use that splitter on will need to be strapped to something solid to stop it spinning!

 

[Agroshield]

You probably know that 2 1/2" is 63.5mm, so that could give you another option.

 

[Justme]

Whatever log you use that splitter on will need to be strapped to something solid to stop it spinning!

The "logs" tend to be 1/2 to 3 tonnes so no spinning lol.
Pressed into the ground by the weight of the 5.5t digger arm.

 

[Justme]

Supplier came up with a great suggestion.

Forget the shaft.
Weld the plate direct to the adapter on the cone.
Not the one in the pic but a different one from a diferent supplier.
Adapter does not look as good but will do the job.


Straight to a plate like this one