Bent auger shaft

[aa8shot]

Ok you can laugh, but please give me a break. I got stuck out in the middle of a large lake. Buried my atv real bad, did all the rock & rollin I could do, but to no availle. because physical problems walking in really wasn't the choice I really wanted to make. So I got the auger out, drilled a hole and hooked up the wench to the shaft. It worked real good. Now the deilemma, I bent the auger shaft, which I new I pro. would do. Is there much chance of a little heat straightening this out?

[GotALunker]

um...I think you just joined me and many others in the "DB of America" Club. I'll personally make you an honorary member

I'm not sure there's much you're gonna be able to do for that other than taking apart the transmission and replacing the shaft.

Best of luck to you!

[ENMIFDAD]

I used to work at a place that made grain/feed handling equipment and I have witnessed the shop guys straightening many bent auger flightings. I know the shafting will be different, but here is the simple process:

Remove your power head and support your shaft on a bench top with cradles that support each end. Figure out where the bend is by spinning it a little and then heat that area with a torch, pull out your BFH and have at the shafting in the bend area.

That is about all you can do...

[Northlander]

If its just in the shaft and not the gear case your ok. Take it in to a pipe welding joint and they can straighten it out. If its real bad you may be looking at a new shaft wich aint bad. About $100 give or take a few bucks depending on what auger brand you have. Myself I would just buy a new one, get the old straightened out and use it as a back up.

I had a shaft straightened out and it was never as good as a new one so I bought a new shaft. The old one seems off a bit and eats blades up quicker.

[broman]

Here's something that I saw a few years back on this forum.

Before you go out bring a block of wood with you. Drill a hold at a 45 degree or more angle into the ice, but don't punch through. Put the block down into the hole and then wrap the winch around it. Bottom of block should be closer to you with the top begin farther away. You could also add an eyelet bolt through the block to attach the winch to.

[Capt. Russ]

Unless you have a good quality machine shop straighten it for you, you will still have some wobble in it. If it does you are taking the chance in prematurely wearing out the lower seal on the transmission, not to mention excessive gear wear. Best to just replace it with a new one. Price paid, lesson learned.

[aa8shot]

Thanks for the info, We used a press and straight edge. I'm not a machinist, but I think its perfect. The bend was about halfway down the flighting. Just a slight bend, maybe 10 degrees. I Ran it in the shop, just could not detect any wobble.

I love the Idea about block of wood and hole drilled at angle. I will be setting that up.

[Northlander]

I didnt feel any wiggle in my shaft either but I noticed I had a problem when I was burning through blades too fast. Got a new shaft and all was well.

[BehindtheHead]

i think this year i am going to throw a 7 or 8 inch post in the truck whatever fits my augar hole best, and a come-along.

when i get the truck stuck i will drill a hole almost all the way down, set the post in the hole, hook the comealong up to it and start cranking.

anybody ever done this?

could strap a post on the wheeler and use the winch to pull out.