Fixing Track Adjuster Springs. Harder Than Expected!

[@FarmCraft101]

Large Marge continues to fight! I knew repairing these spring assemblies would be a big job, but as usual I underestimated it significantly. Wow, what a job! But I'm learning a lot and will be better prepared in the future. Happy New Year everybody! Some thoughts on the threads I made. I did all the internal threads with high speed steel, which struggles a bit on carbon steels. I was also using a cheap carbide tool for the external threads. I think using higher quality carbide tooling would produce a smoother thread, and therefore reduce the torque required when screwing them down. Any irregularities in those threads, from chattering or whatever can amount to increased resistance once you really start pushing those threads together. Also, some better lubricant than engine oil would help the situation. My enginerd brother in law suggested that I put some polishing compound on the thread and nut and run them together several times before attempting the assembly to smooth everything out, which sounds like a good idea as well. Out of curiosity I will likely try these things on the second bolt and see if it improves my results. Sounds like I better get back to work! Also, I did lubricate the tapered washer on the bolt head side with grease, but forgot to put it in the video.

[@RectalRooter]

It took 1 hour and 20 minutes to complete this repair. This guy is very lazy -- He could upload like 3 - 6 videos every week !!! :wink: :wink: i joke very funny haha

[@matthewq4b]

Always nice to get more large marge vids.

[@sinjn3d]

could you drill bolt holes in the jacks foot so that you can bolt it onto and when done remove the bolts for ease of holding?

[@jeffallen3382]

The engine bolt manufacturer ARP makes a lube used for torquing down head bolts, etc... It's called "ARP Ultra Torque Fastener Assembly Lubricant". That may help?

[@jacksat2252]

Did you grease the washer and bolthead before? That would minimize the friction on that end. Nice farm craft this one😊 You sure live up to your channel name.👍

[@ackeheh]

I love the fact that you dont have an annoying intro with some loud music, just straight into it :)

[@sotirsoson]

I dunno, I was thinking maybe the theme from Yentl would drive subscriptions way up.

[@LostCauseRT]

I doubt many people use loud music intros anymore. It's not 2015, missed by a decade.

[@erik_dk842]

@@LostCauseRT You're never on Diesel Creek's channel?

[@mattc7820]

Diesel creek is a tool...don't know why anybody watches him...

[@JonDingle]

@@LostCauseRT It's 2025 and people still use annoying music for intro's and throughout videos.

[@Pigmaster6373]

Calling this an epic fail is outrageous. I'm beyond impressed with what you accomplished and the craftsmanship of it all. You are my favorite KZbinr an upload always makes my day.

[@gunterbecker8528]

Spot on about John,what a gun ,never gives up, no job to big !

[@davidnaudi2601]

Yep in my top three definitely and 2 come out at the same time.

[@michaelandersson2795]

Yes its good allways but gone to far this time ? Done great but better to send it to shop for pressning springs i think.

[@SimpleLife1971]

Honestly, I hope there's never an end to the Large Marge "restoration" because I absolutely enjoy every minute of your videos! I'm not sure where you live but if you were close I'd be helping you perform all the work, seriously! Thanks for taking the time to post everything you do!

[@loafdad]

I agree, my heart leapt when I saw a new video. Thanks John, loving this large marge journey.

[@brettwalkom948]

I'm sure he doesn't want it to go on forever tho haha

[@hotflashfoto]

I totally agree as well. Only I might offer to be the unseen photographer or videographer. Let him be the only one in the videos, or his family, flock, herd, and/or dogs. This has fast become the "dessert" of my day once I've gotten my stuff done and want to learn something while also being entertained.

[@williamburke09]

Still without being a professional mechanic who does this on the daily I'm beyond impressed. Nice work.

[@Cyberball8]

Truly amazed in how you created the needed socket. Your explanation of why the springs need tensions made sense but it means that you need to tension the springs!!! Springs are scary! Really big springs under tension are really scary!! Please be safe.

[@FarmCraft101]

Agree and the need for safety here. That's why I'm going to be very careful about how I compress this thing, and only do it in small increments with the bolt in place. This bolt has a breaking strength of over 200,000 pounds, well over what my 50 ton jack can produce, and also more than the spring can produce. My only concern would be the threads failing, but I'm pretty sure they would yield and jam up first rather than blowing apart.

[@kajr.nilsen238]

@@FarmCraft101 It seems like you've got too much friction between the nut and the bolt, maybe due to the wrong kind of lubrication or initial thread quality or both, and this may deform the thread. The spring ideally should have been compressed before tightening and welding the nut. Make a spring compressor, compress the spring and unscrew the nut and check the threads, and if good the tighten it again. If you can't unscrew the nut when the spring is compressed, then the threads already have jammed at least partially, due to extreme friction and heat. When doing "dangerous" work, one may use a laser temperature gauge or thermal camera to check the work piece, to see if it is heating up beyond expectation due to extreme friction, which of course should be avoided. Looking forward to your solution!

[@sidewind131258]

@@kajr.nilsen238 Ideally yes, on a farm ideally is something you have on the table 24 december. My bet is that he gets longer rods for his 50 ton pin extractor and do it that way It will still be scary but as you say, much safer We'll just have to hang 1 more week to see 😆

[@elliejackson6907]

@@kajr.nilsen238 Yep... A fully equipped lab with thermal, ultrasonic, strain, and pressure transducers and gauges linked to computer monitoring system, measuring and comparing to manufacturer's specified process, and a 200 ton hydraulic press would be great. But.. Farm mechanics do what they can with what they have. EJ.

[@dkosmari]

It really makes you appreciate all the specialized machinery that's been designed just to put other machines together.

[@donalddoty2543]

Enjoy your machinist skills. I worked at a shop that repaired excavators, dozers for long, long time. We also made track pin presses, many different size plates to fit what we were working on. Many times we just removed more pads to position the press or even cut a notch out of the pad so press work would, and filled it notch in with weld , doesn't hurt anything. If you would have rotated more to the front idler, if opens it up more, but harder to hold up press. The screw type binders works good for pulling tracks together for pin removal. Glad you agree to most comments that knows why those springs are there. You need them . But you will now need to remove a link in the track, the grease tensioner will not be enough. Once you get the springs compressed, your tracks will be too loose, but go ahead and try. Highly suggest you either take those springs to a shop or build something to compress them. I watched you get it close with tighten the bolt, but be careful. Those type of thread you cut are not the same as a screw type press, they are different. Contact C & C Equipment in Ind, he repairs heavy equipment. Ask him how to compress those springs, he builds most of the tools needed for special needs. All I know is what you are doing looks dangerous, we need you around to finish this project.

[@nowyoucandoittoo4869]

He will not need to remove a link because the track(grease filled)adjuster will accommodate that loss. It was designed to do just that.

[@johnbrookes9830]

Agree with the safety comment. The amount of energy stored in those springs is immense.

[@r0311]

I thought the same while watching. Those heavy springs are really dangerous, when compressed. I rather would put them into a cage, like the pin press to keep them inside a safety compartment. I rather would also stand behind a concrete wall when working on compressing them.

[@donalddoty2543]

@@r0311 agree, can't believe he is doing this without more safety cages, something.

[@donalddoty2543]

@@nowyoucandoittoo4869 I'm sorry to disagree, but if and when he gets that track spring compressed, I think he said has to compress 4 inches. Now the adjuster will be back in the frame more. The adjustor will not have that much travel, alot, but not that much. The idler center shaft BEF ORE he broke it apart was almost to the end of the frame. That can't work with that much slid over the end of the frame. That slid, riding surface has to be back in the frame. It also needs some building up with weld, it is too loose. Will see what happens

[@royb.1441]

Thank you for taking the time to explain the rod. It was a lot more important and interesting than I initially thought. Good job explaining it in a digestible way.

[@theoroma6883]

I enjoy your channel immensely. I also enjoy your explanation of logic. I am a 78 year retiree and your blog is very entertaining and educational. Don't stop doing what you do. A blessed new year to you and yours from za

[@paullangjahr4071]

I have said it before and will say it again, never get tired of how well you go through and explain the math when doing projects. The math is baffling and amazing at the same time and you speak and explain to us novice viewers. Thank you very much. You would make an amazing teacher at any level.

Oh by the way Jon, everyone enjoys your sense of humor....you are one kool dude...

[@erik_dk842]

If Jon throws a barbeque, I bet 100 friends show up

[@nudebaboon4874]

Seals😂

[@barrygrant2907]

Amen to that!

[@johnhenderson8360]

About 40 years ago I had a JD350 Crawler Loader which I had purchased used, it had the same situation as you, busted bolt. It had a track tensioner that had been welded in place. This was my first experience with buying a 'tracked" machine. (Live and learn). I was fortunate to know a guy (much like you) and he helped me get this fixed. What I did to install a new bolt was to take the endcaps and spring to our local JD Dealer. I got to watch them preload the spring in a machine made just for that purpose. The machine would compress the spring by putting pressure on the endcaps. So they weren.t preloading the spring using the nut, Once they got the spring to the proper length, they installed the nut. I think it's easier to understand the purpose of the spring assembly if you think in terms of a dozer. When you ware pushing something heavy, if that bolt were broken, your tracks would immediately sag. When your spring is properly preloaded your idler would come up against immediate tension and the track tension would not sag a quickly. I probably didn't describe this very well, but maybe you get the idea. Back to my JD Dealer, when he loaded the finished assembly in my trunk ,he said to me, 'remember your driving home with a bomb in your car'. Love your channel and seeing you using your skills to solve your problems.

[@aliasfred]

Sorta like an Automotive spring compressor (the kind bolted to a wall) used for compressing the spring before removing the strut nut.

[@HotNoob]

yeah. id have brought a trailer just to keep that bomb as far away as possible lol...

[@LarsSchretlen]

Finally someone that explains how a lathe is working, also a explanation that i can follow 😌👍 john keep up the good work love your videos and you explanations are really good to understand 😋 And i from overseas (Netherlands)

[@clarksimmerman5968]

Me too! I never understood until Jon explained it! Thanks!!

[@beeroquoisnation]

I did a John Deere 750 Dozer compression spring back in 1997. The tension is a little scary without the John Deer specific tool for loosening or tightening and removing the recoil spring. The way we overcame not having the proper tooling was to use a torque Amplifier to reach the incredible spec they had for torque on the main strut that ran through the spring and the grease cavity that resided in the Recoil spring itself. I had to pack the grease cavity full of washers big enough to make it around the strut rod and run that torque amplifier with a 1" ratchet with a 6 foot pipe to get close enough for the torque. On the John Deere this assembly was done in the machine which captured and maintained orientation of the assembly. Good Luck Brother.

[@johnalexander4356]

I was thinking of a torque multiplier as well. I used to have to torque a nut to 3700 foot pounds. We used multiple amplifiers stacked to get there. And it still needed a six foot bar with a bear of a man pulling on it. It takes a long time to get there.

[@benjaminrich9396]

I'm sat in a chair, in the UK, thousands of miles away, watching this on a laptop, a video previously recorded that isn't live. There is no way I can be physically hurt by anything in this video. But @<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="938">15:38</a> in - why do I feel like I'm about to get a chain in the face? 😅 I salute your bravery, noble go-pro camera. :)

[@dennis82468]

Great video. When you compressing that spring…..I was on the edge of my seat. Looking forward to the next one

[@Pracedru]

yeah same here . phew.

[@Rasputin-p4e]

😃😃😃😃🤣😂

[@luckydad3155]

John what more can I say other than I love your channel - the BEST! The content that you provide and the way you explain and show it are just amazing! I’m an old school telephone network engineer for over 38 yrs, been with that 3 letter company and still plugging away until retirement ( I hope ) in a few years. Your thought process and providing a topology of sorts, showing diagrams or graphics and using an empirical method of thinking to determine the challenges involved for the work in front of you, are just awesome!! I applaud you and appreciate you sharing your knowledge through these videos. Please keep sharing the content. my regards, John also!

[@georgebishop6745]

Jon.

[@troubleis5271]

You know things are serious when the Machinery Handbook is on the workbench! Great video. Thanks for sharing.

[@chrissmith7655]

Hi Jon, Large Marg is one hell of a big press, you know where I am coming from. Many thanks.

[@dryflash33]

A large press that you do have. Just need a little tooling to make it work.

[@1OlBull]

My thoughts exactly!

[@putteslaintxtbks5166]

Large, but just a hair off..high speed metal rockets. Would need a good set up.

[@Derek-r2t]

Adapt something really strong to to put on Marge's big jaws.let her fix it for you. Besides she owes you a lot.

[@madxenomorph]

Make a cage for the spring out of 2" plate and use Marge to compress the hell out of that spring. Hole in the bucket for the socket and it would work. Best practice? PROBABLY not, but it could work!

[@KMPandme]

When I was a machinist apprentice almost 40 years ago,. My teacher was a lot like you John. He was actually my best friend's father. He was a British fellow who used to make tractors for Ford in England. He spent half a day making a part that I would have bought at the store. I later learned how that kind of a mind functions.

[@arcrad]

This channel (and The Post Apocalyptic Inventor) give me so much motivation to tackle my own repair/restoration projects. Right now I'm refurbishing an old electric portable bandsaw and every time I get to a place where I'm not quite sure how to proceed, I always think to myself "What would Jon do?" 😂

Yes, Jon is quite inspirational and highly intelligent.

[@sebastienlemay6120]

I don't skip videos from those 2 channels!

[@austinjackson5220]

I feel like this video is the most informative video to date. You are very good at explaining information to most basic level. I have been a Fan for a long time, and often times you say whats wrong, and I don't understand, then you come out with a detailed Explanation of whats Wrong and How to fix it, and It really inspires me to slow down in my own projects and really think about All solutions. Your Videos are like a knowledge bank.

[@craigdreisbach5956]

John, great engineering, teaching and fabrication. Remember, "the enemy of good is better" Be happy at this point and re-install as currently is. Kind Regards, Craig

[@anatolyolevsky4403]

I find your heroic ingenuity very conquering. You are a great American mechanical brain.

[@peterparsons7141]

You weren’t surprised when the breaker bar failed, and knew that when it broke the suffering was over. that’s why you kept on wrenching on it. I’ve been there many times, it’s an awwf’it moment I’m tired of this crap, another 1/4 turn and it’s done because I’m done. That’s a good vid.

[@punkyhollow6115]

A+ for ingenuity, effort, engineering, patience and everything else I can think of. Hopefully your breaker bar has a lifetime warranty.

[@brenainndurkan3954]

Thank you for showing us how to thread. That’s the first one I’ve seen that actually made any sense to me.

[@nomjasdk]

Never ever consider something like this a fail. It's a learning experience - and it is worth watching every second of. :)

[@gregorythomas333]

@<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="655">10:55</a> Just a thought: You could enlarge the hole on the back plate of the pin-press so you can drive the pin through without the plate hole needing to be so accurately aligned.

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Good to see another video on this repair The Springs help keep tenson on the Hydraulic cylinder to keep it from backing off if there is constant Hydraulic load pushed against a Constant load spring pushing force back it will keep the Hydraulic cylinder from collapsing under higher loads and the coil spring will take the load and not the idler or track if the Hydraulic cylinder blows ita pressure off the coil spring is there to take the brunt of the harse damage from the rest of the system if a issue occurs Jon just like a Coil spring on a Truck is there to help the load for the Shock <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="60">1:00</a> @FarmCraft101

[@jamescole1786]

1/3/25...compressing giant spring for track adjusting...man-o-man John, you have super dedication! Stay safe & carry on..who knew you would do all..all..this kind of fix to make 'Large Marge' ( Case 170B) reliable for your (intermittant?) Farm projects..& maybe some contract work. Great content for we armchair YT people! Be careful!💪⚙️🔧🔩✅️👍👍👍🍺😊

[@jscancella]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="78">1:18</a>:26 I have a old farmer friend who taught me blacksmithing - I recall him telling me about the time he had to cut a spring like this free with a cutting torch. He said once it got hot enough it blew way across the field he was working. With all the pressure you are putting on that spring I don't doubt it anymore. Stay safe, I wouldn't want to be anywhere near that thing.

[@bernarddt]

An absolute inspiration! You give me the courage to not settle for second best in my own work. Love the detail you go into, I'm learning with you!

[@arustydodge2111]

By no means is that a fail, JOHN!!! That is definitely a WIN!!!!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@georgebishop6745]

Jon.

[@jdw2150]

You never fail to amaze me. Literally amazed at your ability to overcome these obstacles on you own talents, with the equipment you have. Awesome content.

[@eliaskeller7484]

Hey Jon For your special case of centering the piece to the tailstock you can turn a Busching with both diameters. So the Bushing fits to the Working piece and the Tailstock (without A tool in it). That shoud center it close enough. Thank you for all your amazing Videos👍👍👍 Youre doing great stuff. Greetings from Switzerland🇨🇭👋

Jon, your channel is my favorite of all those I follow on you tube. Everything about the way you produce it and your work ethic, style and amazing skill set is top notch. Thank you for providing such excellent and interesting content.

[@russorpcom]

Every posting I learn a lot from you. Thank you for taking the time to explain as always. I await the next part!

[@CalvinBauer844]

Love the fact that you take on every challenge!!

[@jeffallen3382]

Me too! I've been an ASE master automotive tech for over 30 years and I don't know if I would take on some of these challenges that Jon has.

[@gerardb.ducoudray8881]

as a paper pusher, I appreciate the way you 'draw' your work out for us non-mechanical minds, to understanding what you doing, for the task at hand, to accomplish it to perfection.

[@mrnate4280]

Thanks for making these videos John I really enjoy them I can tell you take pride in these videos. Thanks for taking the time.

[@kennethelliott9092]

Jon, once again, proves that "invention is the MOTHER of necessity". Well done!👏

[@KalebBroadhead]

My favorite channel on KZbin by FAR. And the series is great too! If I ever get a massive excavator, I'm all set!

[@keithgraham8906]

Use the bucket of large marge to compress it against the side of the track runner that will take some of the the tension off it ,wish you all the best hear from Scotland.

[@insignio1]

I'd pobably do the same but not sideways. I'd drill a 2"hole in the concrete (or have something into which the screw can be pressed), stand up the spring, weld a tube to capture the top of the spring between the teeth of the bucket and then compress the spring by lowering the bucket (large marge would have no issue doing that I think). The screw should then just be able to manually screw in.. Or, just buy some longer threads for the pin press. The latter sounds safer to me :-). Remember, I told you to not do this at home! (I am not an mechanical engineer, I dabble in software so I have never faced a spring loaded with many tons of force)

[@markallen4123]

I am impressed with your lathe skills making a huge bolt and compressing the enormous spring as far as you did! I love watching your channel and you coming up with all of the farmer hacks working with the tools you have or the ones you can make! Happy New years!

[@psloper]

This is easily one of the best episodes of your amazing KZbin channel. The power in that compressed spring is palpable! Kudos!

[@Bediasman]

Really enjoy your videos. Your tenacity, knowledge and humor make my Fridays fun again. Thank you.

[@abrammarba9700]

Love the lathe work - it's been too long. Watching you actually led me to find Cutting Edge Engineering & Inheritance Machining.

[@danslawncare8594]

I have done that spring job before and I put the spring in a 100 ton press then put the bolt on.

[@daviniusb6798]

I guess his 50 ton press will come in handy

[@Eliarrobcio]

I have to admit- I don't know ANYONE, who'd try to pull out such track tensioner spring for TEN YEARS STRAIGHT. John, you're such focused, dedicated and patient person! :D

[@cranefly23]

What an epic video! I’m really enjoying this ‘Large Marge’ series - probably quite a lot more than you are! Your skills and ingenuity are truly impressive.

[@mattlaptop5728]

Thank you! Excellent work, troubleshooting, explanation, skill and creativity. Can’t wait to see what your plan is.

[@dude_1965]

Yet another brilliantly entertaining video, thank you. The pleasure you give us all at considerably personal physical expense is very much appreciated. 👍

[@jlamar362]

Hi John, As a retired machinist, I enjoy watching as you work through your problems, and I like the clear explanations for your solutions. One thing, the reason for setting your compound at 29.5°, is so the predominant cut is on the one side of the thread, but you are taking a small, light cut on the back side, soyou don't leave a step pattern on the following side of the thread form. As long as your compound is set correctly, it doesn't matter as much which way you feed in to cut the thread, it will still clean up. In a perfect world, you are correct, we set up the way you described, but when reality intrudes, you have to go with what works, as you did. If you look at the thread form, it shouldn't have any steps in the trailing edge from the cutting tool, if it does, check the angle of the compound, sometimes those angle gauges that are on the machines are not precisely correct, but you can make allowances, when you find out. Thanks for your content, I really look forward each week o your videos! Have a safe and happy new year!

[@FarmCraft101]

Thanks for the info. Good to know I didn't make a real machinist nauseated seeing me threading like that! ;-)

[@Camboprime]

'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, except for John and his chittering lathe. ;) Happy New Year.

[@ryanbruckhart1284]

That’s not a fail; you are highly skilled at what you do. That type of problem would throw everyone else for a loop but you fixed it well with the tools and knowledge you had. As a young farmer myself I look up to you and look forward to your videos because I learn a lot from what you do. You may just have buy a larger breaker bar; but don’t let that deter you from fixing it completely. You’ve done well. Nothing in this video was upsetting or boring whatsoever; you’re good at what you do. That’s why it’s called Farmcraft101.

[@curtisking2962]

Great video Jon. It's too the point i don't ask myself if you can figure out how to make it work, i just sit back and watch you complete the task. MARGE is a tuff ole girl. Happy New Year. See you next week.

[@georgecazacu6118]

Great as always! To the part where John explains the MIGHTY SPRING using a "thumb spring" and other smaller parts: great explainer! If I have it right, the inner spring ROD acts (also) as a restrainer, alowing "Large Marge" to operate under the most normal conditions, (horizontally, no bumps, all smooth).

[@hansingreece]

Jon, I think what might be happening is that during the tightening you are getting fretting of the threads. It's where the threads become rough under the pressure of tightening and building up resistance. In aviation, especially with stainless on stainless threads, like on hydraulic lines, this is an issue we experience. So much so that assembly actually becomes impossible. After disassembly you can then feel the roughness on the threads, where they previously were perfectly smooth. Anyway to prevent it, or at least lessen it, we use an anti-fretting oil on the threads before assembly. I think this is what's happening because the tension of the spring does not explain the enormous torque needed to compress it, even though they are mighty big springs. Large Marge keeps on fighting doesn't she ;-)

[@sebbeukers-sc9hf]

make a hole in marges bucket big enough for the socket, use the weight of her to compress the spring , tightening bolt. you'll need a spacer at the bottom for the end of the bolt. might work.

[@christopherskinner9891]

Jon what concerns me is that you may be getting some galling on the threads. I like the idea state by many to figure out a way to get the compression length you are looking for and then tightening the assembly. Your content, camera work and editing is superb.

[@robertpeters9438]

For your safety I'm for convert to hydraulic tensioning.

[@leisureshoot]

@@sebbeukers-sc9hf I was thinking the dozer might do the same, horizontally

[@danielrogers7138]

Gosh! You do go down some deep rabbit holes. But you are always able to persevere (WIN!) and get your machines back into service. Way to go!

[@AlfaNickGaming]

Wonderful engineering Jon! Bravo. I would be too scared to go near that compressed spring

[@saaad17]

You did not fail.. you just need to reorganize your thoughts.. I salute you for the work you are doing. God bless

[@Strothy2]

John if your lahte ever starts seeing the light at the end of tunnel, with the amount of lathe work you do start looking for a "Weiler E30" it's based of the same frame that your machine uses (more or less) but the threading work you do so often would be much much quicker. I'm a CNC lathe operator by trade, and I started my journey on an E30 and worked my way up to a CTX 2000. And just this Christmas I gave myself a gift and got one second hand for 10.000€. It will need some love getting all the apprentice marks out of it, but even with that I think it's worth every penny :) Cheer and happy new year to you and your family!

[@elliejackson6907]

Hey Jon, Thanks, I really liked your explanation of the role of the bolt within the spring of the track adjuster. Absolutely makes sense now, what it's there for. I'm impressed that your socket stood up to the pressure even though the breaker bar didn't !!. Cheers, EJ.

[@WhataTry]

I love watching your problem solving. Your skills are just wonderful. Thanks

[@garykristjanson4689]

That was very interesting, I really enjoy the machining stuff along with the repair/maintenance. Also, your editing is well done. I never feel the need to skip ahead and it never gets bogged down. Keep doing what you're doing and I'm liking the longer videos.

[@notaquitter]

John, I love it. That laugh. I just know Marge is giving you a hell of a headache. I watch your videos every week. Your videos are educational and entertaining. I'm borderline a.d.d. so you keep me interested. You are a truly gifted educator. When I get home, I got something to look forward to watching

[@Daves_Trigg]

You should be proud of both this video and your methodology and explanations. Top bloke. This could be your best ever and you’ve done many good ones.

[@BenL8257]

You're getting good. Just like watching Cutting Edge Engineering

[@adamgentry332]

Just a random guy here no affiliation but everyone here who loves what John does here should like and subscribe to his videos. He nevers asks people to do that and hes not plugging merchandise every other video as most do. I think he works really hard to create good entertainment and hes not self centered so lets band together and help John out. How about 1,000,000 subs by the end of 2025!

[@georgebishop6745]

Jon.

[@NFADYORMF]

Nothing like a farmcraft new video. Greetings from Poland.

[@TheLoxxxton]

That is the single most convoluted contrivance of a nut and rod build i have ever seen, and it was brilliant!!😊. Well done John. I kind of hope large marge continues to fight you forever. Seeing you two go toe to track is just wonderful

[@buffsheeri]

Greetings from Ontario 🇨🇦 love your content 🎉

[@pkzanc]

Hi John, in Afrikaans we say “‘n Boer maak ‘n plan” which means “A farmer makes a plan” - which is what you do. I love your videos, thanks.

[@azuthal]

boy that is alot of work turning that nut. Stay safe and good luck for round 2

[@jforthewin8029]

Love the ingenuity to solve problems that come up. Keep up the great job!

[@MattOckendon]

One of your absolute best! I really value the time you take to explain the theory of operation - fascinating.

[@dgeoffreyfitton2836]

great machinist work, can't believe how good you are at explaining why and how, great work John. Large Marge is one tough lady !

[@robertalabla]

There is a massive amount of friction between the bolt head/washer/cup area that only gets worse when the assembly is tightened. This area needs to be greased so that the rotational force going in favors compressing the spring rather than overcoming the increased friction that compressing the spring causes. Unlubricated flat surfaces under extreme pressure make a lousy thrust bearing. Maybe you could drill a grease port to pump grease into this area while tightening. Moly grease can often be found in CV boot kits at the local auto parts store.

[@zippy212100]

John, your videos never cease to amaze, impress, and inspire me. Thank you for all the time and effort you put into these instructional masterpieces!

[@kaiheetjans9956]

Hi John, <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="2940">49:00</a> if you a very certain that your rod is pretty straight, you may put an Indicator on top of your rod, fixed to the cross slide and indicate it by moving the main slide. <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="3570">59:30</a> if you turn the cutter upside down in front, you would also have th possibility to move the top slide into to cutting direction. Greetings from Germany, Kai

[@jessiemae6873]

You and Cutting Edge Enginering's crane restoration. Best 2 soap operas around, nothing but one cliff hanger after another!!

[@noahorr3480]

Thanks for taking time to teach those Lathe lessons John! I have a little baby lathe (Atlas/Craftsman 6") and I am trying to figure out how to make things myself. Threading felt frustrating because I didn't know how to disengage the carriage without losing my place on the lead screw... now I know! My lathe has one of those thread chasing dials, but it's frozen up and I didn't know what it was for. Your explanation was an epiphany! XD Loving the Large Marge content!

[@ltanthrax8435]

Thank you for the continued educational content and proof that your relentless efforts will be rewarded.

[@johnobiro5202]

You are a wizard on the Lathe Jon. I’d be happy to leave it where it is. You’ve done a fantastic job of getting it as far as you have. It’s still going to work. Isn’t it?. 🔧👍🇬🇧

[@gerry343]

I admire your ingenuity and perseverance. Those springs are real monsters, I'll be interested to see how you beat them !

[@danielyoder5928]

Jon. Make a new end plate for the press with a hole large enough for your socket. Make extensions for the tie rods and couple then together with couplers (shop made or purchased). Then make a pin with a blind bore to use as the push pin on the jack. Once the spring is compressed, the bolt should screw in easily. Good luck.

[@dirkvanbree7734]

That is what I say, use the 50 Ton jack.

[@karaayers2867]

I rebuilt the same tension spring setup on my mini ex. Used the bucket/thumb to compress everything then I just tightened the bolt down. Worked great

[@ehcatsfaneric2211]

You have an unequaled work ethic..very impressive

[@geostro440]

That was a helluva workout is a huge understatement! I am never tempted to fast forward through your videos. No drawings no plans you put your mind to it and make it happen. It’s nice you have an engineer and others for advice to help you decide how you will do it. Once again an impressive display of your skills.

[@utubefroggy]

Most interesting and enjoyable video, your trouble shooting and deductive skills are evident, nice to have a cliff hanger, it givesus something to look forward to.

[@random-person1]

You constantly have me holding my breath, hoping that nothing goes wrong! I love the farmer attitude of "I'll make it work." Having worked on a dairy farm after school, school holidays and when school was over, (more than 40 years ago), it is the same attitude then as it is now. Well done, Jon, and a happy new year to you and your family.

[@JeffPedlow]

Large Marge's alternate nickname could be "basket-CASE" :D Great way to start 2025, and a great way to start a Friday! Thanks as always, John!

[@mmm365]

Case closed

[@erikbagge6812]

Yeah i thought so too when he should namn the thing.

[@williamdodd5113]

Jon your the man , love watching you every week, great content , the way your come up with ideas to fix is fantastic, do it yourself Jon.

[@WallaceButler-j8u]

Finally! A good down to earth program. Tired of those drama videos.

[@German_Johann]

Great video. The spiral spring is pre-tensioned so that the movement of the machine itself does not lead to any change in the chain tension. When the machine is running without a pre-tensioned spring, a change in direction after the linear characteristic of the spiral spring leads to compression and thus to relaxation of the chain. The chain then tends to jump off the sprocket, especially when turning backwards on a slope. At the same time, the pre-tensioned spring leads to a short travel in the hydraulic chain tensioner, which is not overstretched in its stroke (especially if the chain has elongated) when correctly backed up with compensation blocks.

[@headmen1]

I LOVE all your videos and commentary keep up the great work! I wish I had your knowledge and skills! Happy New Year!

[@mattilindstrom]

Damn, one can't always win. You have the determination and grit (what we Finns call sisu) to get all of it done.

[@tomfaath9106]

John, I would seriously consider contacting Clint at C&C equipment regarding the spring compression issue…he has a KZbin channel does a lot of heavy equipment repair, I’m sure he could point you in the right direction. Great video, but the amount of energy stored in that spring scares the heck out of me.