Identifying OEM of an old disc

[Eikel]

I recently picked up this old disc at an auction; it's in relatively good shape except the bearings are shot. Does anyone have an idea on the manufacturer or any other information?
Eikel

[Rudi]

Many of these old disk harrows either horse or tractor drawn were very similar to each other with few real standout identification marks. Obvious trademarks to look for are the IHC, M-H, M-M etc... Parts/casting numbers may be of help.

This one looks very similar to my old 6 foot out-throw disc harrow... and it appears to be a horse drawn unit as well judging by the hitch.

Unfortunately I don't have any manuals scanned for these types of implements. I do have one, it isn't scanned yet.

[Eikel]

Thanks Rudi. It doesn't have any distinguishing marks or casting except for the bearing cases which have part numbers beginning with “KK.” Discovering the OEM would be one of those "nice to Knows," either way it's in decent condition so I'll look at reconditioning the bearings (hopefully they"re wood) and freeing up the stuck controls. A bit more life for some old iron.

Eikel

[Rudi]

A bit of time in the e-tank and then a repaint would make harrow that a thing of beauty

Be nice to know what colours to paint it.

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

I cannot help with the manufacturer, but do agree that it is a horse drawn disk. I see a bracket for a flat spring/bracket for the seat as well as foot rests on it.

[Bigdog]

KK is a John Deere part number prefix.

[Rudi]

Now that is an interesting tidbit BD! Must remember that. We should have a list on the server that identifies parts prefixes/other identifiers for different manufacturers .. might be useful.

[Eikel]

A visit to the JD dealership with part numbers and picture maybe in order. The identification of the seat bracket begs a second question. The levers on either side of the bracket move the scrapers across the discs; what does the lever directly in front of the seat bracket control, it's froze up tight. (The levers on either side of the center lever control the angle of the disc)

[Bigdog]

Follow the linkage from the lever and you should be able to determine what it does.
John Deere either partnered with or (usually) bought out a lot of smaller manufacturers for components or complete implements. KK probably relates to Killefer Mfg. which made implements. They were bought out by JD about the turn of the century. They made tillage equipment.

[Eugene]

Just a thought. I would disassemble one side and see what type and size the bearings are. Determine what will fit/work. Then some research.

AgriSupply.com has a selection of bearing spools (bearings) and bearing halves (retainers). There are also other bearing suppliers.

[Eikel]

I did run across Killefer in some of my research but didn't find a whole lot of info on them, more searching to be done. I'm thinking the bearings wear surfaces aren't cast but most likely that's deteriorated over time, overall the disc doesn't seem like it's had hard use but has sat out in the weather. I've never made a set of wooden bearing but there's a first time for everything. Hopefully I'll get the time to tear into it in the near future, I'll let you know what I find.
Thanks for all the help and insight.

Eikel

[Redcub]

Eikel you said:

I've never made a set of wooden bearing but there's a first time for everything.

My grandfather did at a local Woolen Mill powered by a mill race creek and water turbine, that had a line shaft running through the entire building. He made it out of one of the harderst woods known to man. Lignum Vitae.
That was about 1942. Still there. It is considered a self lubricating wood. It sinks when placed in water and is even denser than iron wood from the Arizona desert



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lignum_vitae

http://www.woodfinder.com/search.php?se ... um%20Vitae

[cowboy]

While I am no expert. All the disk I have seen the handles set the angle of the disk. The more angle on them the harder the bite into the ground.

Billy

[Eikel]

The levers with handles on either side do adjust the angle of the disc and the levers on either side of the seat bracket operate scrapers to clean the disc.

[Pete-Maine]

My reply may not matter now, some 6 years later, but this disc harrow was not made for a Cub. It could be as old as the late 1800s and was designed to be horse-drawn. I have a look-alike that I use with my Cub. It had a wooden tongue (draw shaft) that rotted away--looks like that happened to yours, too. It was bought from a retired farmer who had only horse-drawn equipment which he said dated from about 1890 to 1920. In most cases with this old accessory equipment, it's difficult or impossible to identify the OEM because there are no brand markings, and at best just casting numbers for individual cast-iron parts. Almost all of the disc harrows are mainly made of steel, not cast iron, making them especially hard to identify.