[AT] OT - using pitchfork

[Herbert Metz]

Vaugh
Depends on degree of looseness.   I ran two pieces of baler twine from forks 
to handle on Dads old silage fork recently, as a temporary on-site fix. 
Prior to this fix, the forks came off twice, to my surprise.   Decided to 
fix it then to insure against further looseness during the on-off happening. 
In this situation, that is my permanent fix.   If the looseness were 
considerably more, I would removed deteriorated areas of wood, then add 
"wedges to fit" during reassembly, with considerable pounding to complete 
the last half inch of press fit assembly.
I was home four winters when we emptied the 14' x 40' silo, and I hauled the 
silage at least half of the time.   Did not think much of it at the time, 
other than when the wind would blow silage back up the chute.  I sorta liked 
the smell of the silage; Mom did not.   Always got a real good cleaning of 
clothes on the porch, with Mom using the broom, before going on in the 
house.
Herb

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Vaughn Miller" <VMiller at messiah.edu>
To: <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Monday, February 06, 2006 3:21 PM
Subject: Re: [AT] OT - using pitchfork


> The question I have is : What do you do with a handle that is loose?  I 
> have
> a manure fork that falls out of the handle.  I'd rather not replace the
> handle, as it is not broken.  Any ideas?
>
> Vaughn Miller
> Dillsburg PA
>
>>>> rugenl at yahoo.com 2/6/06 1:00:14 PM >>>
> Pitchforks usually have a tang that inserts into a hole on the end of the
> handle.  The handle has a metal collar, but they aren't connected.  I 
> think
>
> you can drill (use a metal bit) until you hit the tang, then open a vice
> enough to let the fork pass but catch on the handle and drive the tang 
> out.
>
> I seem to remember they are a lot easier to change than a shovel handle.
> If
> they are old and a little loose, you may be able to just drive the old
> handle off without drilling first.  We used to lay them under the wood
> stove
> and let them dry and shrink for a few days, then they nearly fell off.  It
>
> wasn't too hot to touch, but dries enough to shrink the handle.
>
> A pitchfork was an essential tool for the AC Roto balers.
>
> Pitich forks have 3 tines, manure forks have more 4-6 tines, if it looks
> like a scoop shovel with tines, it's a silage fork.  If it has 3 tines and
> a
> LONG handle, it's a bundle fork, for pitching wheat bundles onto a TALL
> wagon.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ---
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