Woodruff Keys

[Rick 55 BB 24]

Hey guys does anyone know of a place to get an assortment of woodruff keys specific to wheel horse ? I have bought a couple different sets and when I try to use them none seem to fit quite right . when measuring them they are all over the place . Thanks  

[WHX?? 48,828]

I got mine at HF. it has all of the sizes a  uses. 

[stevasaurus 22,764]

Here is a key way list...remember, these are soft metal, you can always file them to fit.  

 

[Rick 55 BB 24]

4 hours ago, WHX?? said:

I got mine at HF. it has all of the sizes a  uses. 

Yea that's where I got the assortment i have , but not one is the correct size's . I have had to file every one I have used , that's why I was asking about a better quality assortment . Thanks 

[Achto 27,601]

File to fit ensures a tight fit. 

[Rick 55 BB 24]

9 minutes ago, Achto said:

File to fit ensures a tight fit. 

Yep that's true , i guess I was looking for a better assortment than what HF has . Today I was working on the motion lever on a c-120 and the through shaft has a small woodruff key in the friction cone that was missing . It took me 45 minutes to grind and file one to fit . I ran into the same thing with the axle to hub keys awhile back . Thanks 

[ebinmaine 67,593]

9 hours ago, Achto said:

File to fit ensures a tight fit. 

 

A VERY good pair of locking pliers/Vise grips and a belt sander - used with much care - can help.  

 

14 hours ago, Rick 55 BB said:

assortment of woodruff keys specific to wheel horse

Not likely something like that exists. 

Wheelhorse company used many Standard Parts. 

Nuts, bolts, belts, clips, washers, spacers, bearings, seals, collars, wire holders, wire terminals and so on. ....

 

Woodruff keys too. 

 

To get a specific assortment of WH keys I'd think the best bet is to accurately measure each one you remove and get a good replacement from McMaster Carr. 

Keep the list handy for future reference. 

 

The challenge I've noticed is that WH were designed built engineered back 50+ years ago. 

The "Standard" of Standard Parts has likely changed. 

 

 

[953 nut 55,298]

14 hours ago, Rick 55 BB said:

anyone know of a place to get an assortment of woodruff keys specific to wheel horse ?

If you go through the IPL for your specific tractor each woodruff key is shown and the size is given. Once you have developed a comprehensive list of all the keys that fit your tractor you could buy them from https://www.mcmaster.com/keys/key-type~woodruff/

[squonk 41,150]

My 73 12 had 2 different size keys in the axles. The original owner said nothing was ever done to them. 

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,046]

In the early years the keys were listed as a part number only with no dimensions or Woodruff identification.

There was a site with a reverse look-up for part numbers years ago. One could enter a part number and each illustrated parts list would come up with the part description. Most had "key" only but the odd ipl would have dimensions or the Woodruff identifier or a superseded part number one could search so one knew what it was.

What I learned was recorded and added to a chart.

Keys are sized by the cutter that is used to make the pocket so key size is larger than the actual key.

This 3-page chart lists the key size and the actual key dimensions.

This 8-page chart lists the Wheel Horse part number and the Woodruff number

It was copied from a searchable database but since it is no longer searchable the results are mixed up. You have to look for the correct line.

 

[pfrederi 17,741]

There is only on key hard to find that is the axle key on D series GT-14 and i believe 953s  #RX  Even McMaster doesn't have them.  I bought a pack from Fastenal some time ago if anyone needs them...

[Rick 55 BB 24]

1 hour ago, gwest_ca said:

In the early years the keys were listed as a part number only with no dimensions or Woodruff identification.

There was a site with a reverse look-up for part numbers years ago. One could enter a part number and each illustrated parts list would come up with the part description. Most had "key" only but the odd ipl would have dimensions or the Woodruff identifier or a superseded part number one could search so one knew what it was.

What I learned was recorded and added to a chart.

Keys are sized by the cutter that is used to make the pocket so key size is larger than the actual key.

This 3-page chart lists the key size and the actual key dimensions.

This 8-page chart lists the Wheel Horse part number and the Woodruff number

It was copied from a searchable database but since it is no longer searchable the results are mixed up. You have to look for the correct line.

Well thank you , I think this is as close as I have to the dimensions as I will ever get of what I need . I have a guy who repairs my worn out or damaged shafts and hubs , so I will just take the keys along with them and let him machine the keys to fit . I have been doing it myself but with a file and grinder it's time consuming and not as accurate . I bought a dozen # 9 keys for the axles . Thanks again 

 

[Rick 55 BB 24]

3 hours ago, 953 nut said:

If you go through the IPL for your specific tractor each woodruff key is shown and the size is given. Once you have developed a comprehensive list of all the keys that fit your tractor you could buy them from https://www.mcmaster.com/keys/key-type~woodruff/

Thanks , this is the plan from here on out . thanks for the help 

 

[Rick 55 BB 24]

2 hours ago, squonk said:

My 73 12 had 2 different size keys in the axles. The original owner said nothing was ever done to them. 

Yep , I've heard of this before , not sure how that happens , but it does 

[JoeM 7,874]

I think I may have seen keys at the big show? Grab a hand full of cash and enjoy~

[WHX?? 48,828]

Axle keys should be a #15  

https://www.ebay.com/itm/313678277898?hash=item4908aead0a:g:44gAAOSw30hhRLgb

Edited March 19, 2022 by WHX??

[pfrederi 17,741]

1 hour ago, WHX?? said:

Axle keys should be a #15  

https://www.ebay.com/itm/313678277898?hash=item4908aead0a:g:44gAAOSw30hhRLgb

 

 

Depends on age of tractor  older tractors  #15    by  blackhoods 400 series used #22  1/4 x 1-3/8        300 series mostly #15

[WHX?? 48,828]

13 minutes ago, pfrederi said:

age of tractor 

My '60s fetish showing again?

[ebinmaine 67,593]

20 hours ago, Rick 55 BB said:

. I have a guy who REPAIRS MY WORN OUT OR DAMAGED SHAFTS and hubs , so I will just take the keys along with them and let him machine the

@Rick 55 BB 

 

Rick if you have someone that can repair an axle shaft you should seriously consider having them cut a full groove in the axle and not use a woodruff key. 

Switch to 1/4" square key stock and get a full bite in the axle front the hub. 

 

IMHO this is one of the very few areas that the Ponds should have done something different. 

 

[Rick 55 BB 24]

21 hours ago, WHX?? said:

My '60s fetish showing again?

1973 

[Rick 55 BB 24]

5 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

@Rick 55 BB 

 

Rick if you have someone that can repair an axle shaft you should seriously consider having them cut a full groove in the axle and not use a woodruff key. 

Switch to 1/4" square key stock and get a full bite in the axle front the hub. 

 

IMHO this is one of the very few areas that the Ponds should have done something different. 

 

Yea , we considered it , but he's a bit of a purest about keeping things original . And for what he charges me ,I kind of let him decide what to do . 

[WHX?? 48,828]

54 minutes ago, Rick 55 BB said:

 he's a bit of a purest about keeping things original 

I like him already....

[Rick 55 BB 24]

21 hours ago, WHX?? said:

I like him already....

He really is a good guy , He has been retired for some time now and does small jobs like this as a hobby to keep himself busy .

[pfrederi 17,741]

You can't trust HF.. several years ago i bought this box of straight keys.  But it seemed I always had to do some filing/sanding to get them to fit.  Then out of frustration I measured a few....  nice even METRIC  dimensions....

Edited March 21, 2022 by pfrederi

[WHX?? 48,828]

Agreed Paul... when shopping on line one has to be extra careful and be looking for the one's that's listed with ODD metric dim. 

One nice thing about the custom filing thing is you can get a custom fit for say a marginal keyway. But yes very time consuming.