Argo 8x8 sprockets welded onto axles. Help please!

[Cyclone67]

Hi everyone

My handle is Cyclone and I live in Australia.
I have just taken delivery of an argo 8x8 1985. KB model. 17hp Kohler. I'm super happy with the motor and transmission, but just degreased and pressure washed everything. There was a bit of play in a couple of the outer bearings. With the gunk gone I found that every sprocket has been welded completely around onto every axle. Has anyone ever come across this before? It looks like I have 3 options. 1. Sell it on and let someone else deal with it. 2, Grind off the welds, remove the axles and get the rest of the axles cleaned up and replace bearings. 3. Cut off the axles where they enter the tub , grind, put in new axles bearings and sprockets.

Sprockets and chains look in good condition. Any one tried solving this problem before?

Thanks in advance. Cyclone

[Aussie Iron]

I would first try and grind off the welds because you can always cut the axles if that doesn't work.It really is a fun machine when you finally get it right.

[MIteyMT]

best idea I have heard yet for these old buggers is to key the sprockets with half inch keystock. You can grind those sprockets with a right angle grinder and get them loose. After that having it all apart once is just necesssary education anyway. I would flip upside down with a headlamp on and pay the piper. I just got one with splined axles and I am excited to stop dealing with rollpins

[Cyclone67]

ground off 1st weld today

I would first try and grind off the welds because you can always cut the axles if that doesn't work.It really is a fun machine when you finally get it right.

Thanks for the welcome and reply. I started grinding off today. Took 2 hours to get the first one off. Have you discovered a good cheap supplier of Bearings in Australia? Looks like I will need a few!
Cyclone

[Cyclone67]

Thanks MiteyMT. Will take your advice and get a quote on the keyway for sprockets onto the axles.
Cyclone

[rdr]

go to ur welding suppy and get a .045 x 4 1/2 cut off disk . if that is the size grinder u have you will love it u will not be there 2 hr grinding they will come out quick . it'
s a cut off wheel it cut fast . u wil need severall robbie

[Aussie Iron]

I get my bearings from "CBC Bearings" here in Gladstone. Any bearing supply place will be able to get them.

[Cyclone67]

Thanks for the tip RDR. That makes a lot of sense. I will try this weekend.
Cyclone

[Cyclone67]

Thanks for the tip RDR. That makes a lot of sense. I will try this weekend.
Cyclone

With all the good advice I have removed two axles after grinding off the sprockets. I plan to drill through the sprocket sleeve and axle and put 10mm high tensile bolts through one hole and a roll pin through the hole closest to the sprocket teeth as the bolt might foul the chain. I guess every axle I tackle will teach me something new. They are definitely a challenge when they have not been pulled apart for a while.

Cyclone

[smog]

you could also cut the welds at the wheel flange; to me it look easier than messing inside the tub with a grinder.

good luck with your project; keep the faith, it will be a nice machine after the bearing swap

[Cyclone67]

Thanks for the reply. I will scope out whether I can achieve the bearing swap by cutting off the wheel flanges. It would certainly be easier cutting.
Cyclone