Heat on tractors trailer hook

[PAL SPC]

So the other day I decided to heat my tractors drop hook as it has a slight twist from a trailer going over at some stage. The hook didn’t move even tho red hot, then I slowly quenched it. Could this of been a bad move or will it still be as strong as before?

 

[davidroberts30]

Personally i wouldn't have done that!
And imo a part like that would need to cool as slow as possible not quenched

 

[PAL SPC]

I did think that although they must be heat forged, I can always re temper it I suppose.

 

[SuperTwo]

How did you quench it?

 

[PAL SPC]

I let it cool naturally for about 5–10 minutes then cooled the furthest point from heat first finishing at the hook.

 

[SuperTwo]

My materials science is a bit sketchy off the top of my head ill check my notes in the morning but you've likely made the steel brittle by not tempering it afterwards.

 

[PAL SPC]

I should be able to temper it tho shouldn’t I?

 

[Badshot]

Hmm, think I'd bin it and get a new one.

 

[SuperTwo]

I should be able to temper it tho shouldn’t I?

Not that simple im afraid. To do it properly it would need to be evenly heated for long enough in an oven at the correct temperature to allow a structural transformation of the grain structure. It would then need to be rapidly quenched and then tempered to give the appropriate compromise between hardness and toughness.

 

[PAL SPC]

[emoji22]

 

[Badshot]

[emoji22]

Don't beat yourself up. Won't be the first mistake anyone's made, certainly won't be the last.

 

[PAL SPC]

No but I should of known better... I didn’t think about it until I’d heated it, then suddenly [emoji85]

 

[robo]

as above, get a new one

 

[David.]

It was knacked if it was bent anyway, so you're no worse off.

 

[davidroberts30]

No but I should of known better... I didn’t think about it until I’d heated it, then suddenly [emoji85]

What tractor by the way?

 

[Ray]

Think this... Traveling somewhere at speed, fully loaded trailer, and suddenly the hook breaks off as a result of your actions. Trailer then veers into the path of a oncoming vehicle, pedestrian, child, etc etc... Personally, I wouldn't risk it cos if it happened to me I'd never live with myself..

 

[Robt]

Don't beat yourself up, we learn something everyday! As said , you are no worse off and it's an even better reason to just get a new one.... while the hook is off, use that opportunity to service the brakes too