Couldn't you just build up the lever with tape and press fit them on? Not exactly sure what this particular item looks like but that may work if just for temporary use.
Re-Attaching HT23 Knobs?
Now that the weather has started to warm up, I finally decided that I had lived with a broken dash on my best HT23 long enough. So I popped the nice round red knobs off the throttle and choke controls and changed out the plastic dash for one of the metal ones I have been saving for just such an occasion.
The tractor looks far better with a complete dashboard, but of course the knobs will not stay on now because popping them off destroys the nubs inside that retain them on the controls.
Anybody got some suggestions on keeping them on for now? I could use new ones, but because I may repaint the tractor later, I don't want to put new knobs on just yet. And I do want to be able to get the current ones off again when the time comes to repaint the tractor.
The tractor looks far better with a complete dashboard, but of course the knobs will not stay on now because popping them off destroys the nubs inside that retain them on the controls.
Anybody got some suggestions on keeping them on for now? I could use new ones, but because I may repaint the tractor later, I don't want to put new knobs on just yet. And I do want to be able to get the current ones off again when the time comes to repaint the tractor.
1 - 17 of 17 Posts
I thought about tape, but I think it is too soft to keep the knobs on while using them. The later Large Frame tractors used up/down throttle and choke assemblies, so at least you don't have to pill on them. To keep the settings as you use them, the controls have to be a little stiff, so the knobs need to be retained fairly well. Bolens never intended that the knobs would be more than single use, I am sure, but I would like to re-use them anyway. I bought seven new knobs from Sonny's Bolens shortly before they stopped, but I don't want to use them just yet. With 4 HT23's and an HT20D, the NOS knobs will get used up fast.
You could use an epoxy, in the Navy we used to use an epoxy that was two part and set up pretty hard. When you wanted to separate the pieces we had a chemical that would release the bond. There are a few glues out there that have releasing a gets. Also if you were not planning on this being permanent you could drill a small hole in the handle and knob and insert a long cotter pin and bend the end down to keep in place.
Use some hot glue and when you need to remove them, heat the knobs with a hair dryer and pull them off.
Have a helper (wife?) hold a heavy solid piece of iron under the extended rod. With a cold chisel and hammer score a 'gripper' on the shaft to help hold it. Then hot glue it like mrmr56 said above. I have the biggest problem getting the knobs off the old controls in one piece Have about 5 hanging that are froze solid and haven't been able to get the knobs off.
I think some silicone caulk/adhesive will work the best. ....It will hold the knobs on, but can be pulled apart at a later date, without harming the knob or lever.
Some styles of knobs could be retained by simply putting a slight twist in the end of the control lever. ...This would create enough friction to keep the knob from vibrating off.
Some styles of knobs could be retained by simply putting a slight twist in the end of the control lever. ...This would create enough friction to keep the knob from vibrating off.
Have to agree,try silicone,or just a small dab of glue,I would think the silicone would work the best
Like the others have said for a temporary replacement just put a dab of silicone in or something.
Or if you got the knobs at a good price put them on as I have new ones readily available as well as the control cables.
Or if you got the knobs at a good price put them on as I have new ones readily available as well as the control cables.
I did not know that you had them. I was operating under the false impression that they were going to be NLA, so I had better be sparing in my use of the NOS ones I already had. Good to know!Like the others have said for a temporary replacement just put a dab of silicone in or something.
Or if you got the knobs at a good price put them on as I have new ones readily available as well as the control cables.
Since you're going to replace them eventually anyway, why not drill & tap a hole on the side of the knob (perpendicular to the flat side of the lever arm), say 8-32 or 10-32, and install a cup-point set screw. Being a hard plastic, it will be very easy to drill & tap. That will definitely hold them on securely until you're ready to replace them with new ones. They will also be reusable in case you ever need them again. No muss, no fuss, no damage to the lever arm.
Doug, I would not worry to much about using your old stock up. The red knobs are still out there and not to much cost. I have them and they run around $6.00 as for using the old ones for now like some have said a little epoxy should keep them on for now.
You could also try a little blue (low strength) Loctite thread locker on the lever serrations and the slot in the knob as it should have enough grip to hold them on but should shear with a little bit of force the same way it does on a nut and bolt. I also like the small set screw idea but I would suggest drilling the hole from the bottom on a little bit of an angle from front to back so that it would not be as visible - the end of the set screw should catch on one of the serrations.
I settled on trying the hot glue approach. Overall it worked pretty well, except even though I was ready to put the knobs on immediately after applying a dab of hot glue, the glue I was using set up so fast that the knobs did not get all the way on before the glue set up. My solution? Apply heat to the metal arm right in front of the knob using an electric soldering iron. That softens the glue enough to push the knob on the rest of the way, and assures that I can do the same thing to get them off again.
Glad you found a solution to getting and keeping them on. Now if I may ask, how do you get them off without breaking them? Cables are shot anyway.
I used the shade tree mechanic approach to get them off in the first place. A 10" Crescent wrench with the jaws just open enough to go over the flat metal arm, and a small block of wood between the wrench and the dash and allow me to quickly pry up with the wrench. One quick jerk each, and the knobs came off. Of course I had to watch where they went because they went flying.
Have to try that approach. Mine are on the round controls and out of the dash. I tried to clamp and rod in a vise and twist the knob off - it broke. Then I tried to place and wrench over the rod against the knob and smack it with a hammer - knob broke. Quit as I was getting no where. Ended up getting after market controls and painted the knobs Bright Red.
1 - 17 of 17 Posts
- This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Garden Tractor Forums
A forum community dedicated to garden tractor owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, attachments, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Top Contributors this Month
View All
Mark 149 J.
68 Replies
EricFromPa
48 Replies
29 Chev
42 Replies
