2012 vermeer bc 1800 chipper knive bolts!!!!

[MonkeyBeaver]

Hello just wondering if anyone out there has run into this yet. knives have 5 bolts and unfortunately i have broke a bolt off. The bolt holes do not go all the way into drum. To deep to weld onto. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

 

[treebilly]

Never had one break like that. Honestly, I'd farm that out to a machine shop.

 

[jefflovstrom]

Chances are they were hammered in hard with an impact gun. ( I do not know, just quessing)
There is a specific torque but I know many guys that tighten them a tight as they can.
If so, I would replace the drum.
We change out our bolts at every 3rd knive change.
Jeff

 

[Pelorus]

Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Drill hole in centre of bolt, tap in appropriate size extractor, apply penetrating oil, say a few prayers, and mebbe it might come out. If penetrating oil futile, some heat on the busted bolt might tip things in your favor. Get the hole you drill as centred as possible, cause you may have to step it up a few sizes, and you don't want to muck up the threads.

 

[treebilly]

If you go the extractor route, DO NOT break the extractor. Tool grade steel sucks to drill out

 

[lone wolf]

Get some reverse drill bits , put heat around the area to expand so it comes out easier and just drill it out, it will spin out counter clockwise at some point. Make sure when you start drilling you have the center punch mark lined up dead center because you may be drilling all the way to the threads in some cases.

 

[capetrees]

You're in MA, take it to the pros in Hopkinton. I'm sure this wouldn't be their first rodeo.

I've had bolts break and knives flying all over in a BC 1000. Change your bolts every time you change the knives around. Yes, the book says you can use them twice but if you see them all break or maybe this situation you're in was a second (or third) time used for that bolt, you'll change everytime from now on. What do bolts cost, $3 each? BFD

 

[MonkeyBeaver]

Thank you guys for all your input! We are going to have a rain day/maintenance day this week. Going to try the reverse drill bits/extractors and see where it gets me. Worse case I'll go back to Vermeer. This was the first time I didn't replace bolts! Won't do that again! Thanks again!

 

[lone wolf]

Thank you guys for all your input! We are going to have a rain day/maintenance day this week. Going to try the reverse drill bits/extractors and see where it gets me. Worse case I'll go back to Vermeer. This was the first time I didn't replace bolts! Won't do that again! Thanks again!

It will do it if you are careful get a perfect as you can center punched mark then start with small bits and work your way up. Do not break the bits off or you are screwed. dont lean on the starter bits at all be patient.

 

[flushcut]

There should be a replaceable block that the bolts thread into.

 

[treebilly]

Broke a bolt on one of our 2100's today. Started the extraction and something moved. We did a bit of investigation and found this in the manual part number two is what you're looking for. There should be plates bolted to the side of the drum housing to access this.