Machinist's Minutes: Gib head keys and how to install/remove them

[@petervaneverdink448]

Claas combines had quite a number of gib keys holding various pulleys onto shafts. They used to sell a tool made of probably 3/16 thick very good quality steel to remove them. It was a triangular shape, probably 16 inches long, that tapered from about 2 inches wide on the one end right down to a point on the other. One long edge of the triangle was cut on a bit of a bevel. You would drive this long wedge into the space between the face of the pulley and the head of the gib key with the sharpened edge of the wedge against the head of the gib key so it could get a bit of a bite to prevent it from just popping up over the head of the key. Worked every time. Most expensive piece of flat bar I ever owned. Think it was 120 bucks 10 years ago.

[@alaincote6684]

Same issue with my McCormick 64 combine : 1.250 shaft pulleys wt gib keys I tried square tool steel but they pop out; I will but a bevel on it as you say. thanks

[@marksturgis3536]

I've seen gibs used in things like mills, but t's been a long time since I have seen a new to me mechanical attachment device/method. I no longer work in industry, so I probably will never get first hand exposure, but it's always good to learn something new!

[@4schitzangiggles]

I just found out about these today when I finished rebuilding the cutter head on my New Holland 1112 swather. It secures the dive belt pulley to the main gearbox input shaft.

[@harlyn1986]

I think I have some headless ones in an old apple press I'm restoring. Thank you for your information. My next approach was weld and puller. If that doesn't work then it drill if I can. :-( Thanks again I love when I get my same idea from someone with experience:-)

[@danm726]

Sorta clickbait man

[@HOWEES]

Best we could do for this one - in this case we cut the shaft and pressed it out to rescue the clutch for placement on the new shaft. But it's good to have at least a description of the information for the two guys who are going to need it. -Cameraman