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Poly Pads Extend Life Of Metal Wear Parts
“Our high strength UHMW poly products are a cost-effective way to reduce wear on high stress metal such as drawbars, hitches and chain guides,” says Paul Leedahl of Agassiz Fabrication. “UHMW has been used on fifth wheel plates for many years and now we’re making 3/8, 1/2, 3/4 and 1-in. thick pieces ranging in price from $7 to $20. They can be stacked on drawbars that carry heavy loads to prevent gouging and metal fatigue caused by turning and dust on the hitches. They’re a small price to pay for good hitch protection.”
Leedahl says that recently farmers have been adding the wear pads to grain cart hitches. “One fellow told me that by using the pads, he can get an accurate reading on his cart scale by just stopping in the field after he’s filled, and not having to stop and back up like he did without them. The pads eliminate just enough stress so the scale settles quickly. That’s a real time-saver in the field because he’s hauling many cartloads a day.”
Agassiz also makes chain guides that provide better alignment and reduce wear on Deere 7100, 7300, 1710 or similar planters. Leedahl says, “FARM SHOW ran a story about that product 7 years ago and it’s amazing. We’re still getting calls from that. People must never throw your magazine away! (Vol. 37, No. 3).”
Agassiz sells a kit that guides the chain on a polyethylene wear slide. The kit includes two slides that expertly align chain movement to eliminate sway that can gouge and damage planter tires. The $170 kit installs easily using existing holes and extends chain life many times over, Leedahl says.
“Metal subjected to moving chains wears quickly, even if the chain is lubricated, so our Mod kit really protects the chain guide and the chain in addition to the tires,” Leedahl says.
Agassiz also makes custom OEM wear parts on contract for equipment manufacturers and is now starting to make protective hose and tube guides. “Those guides have typically been made of metal, but the metal degrades and rusts and eventually eats into hoses, especially on fertilizer equipment,” Leedahl says. “The UHMW material we use isn’t affected by corrosion.”
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Agassiz Fabrication, 16511 50 1/2 St. S.E., Kindred, N. Dak. 58051 (ph 701 261-0431; agassizfabrication@hotmail.com; www.agassizfabrication.com).


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2020 - Volume #44, Issue #5