Apparatus and method for field conversion of corroded pivotal couplings to non-corrodable couplings

Apparatus for the field conversion of corroded and stuck pivotal couplings into substantially non-corrosive couplings, wherein the couplings are formed by upper and lower connection lugs of a hydraulic load sensing device, said lugs being connected by pivot pins to spaced pairs of ears carried by the load reactive elements of a cable anchoring apparatus, which comprises:

• means including a frame structure adapted for connection to one of said pairs of ears;
• hydraulic means including a cylinder and a piston, the cylinder being connected to said frame at its connection with one of said pairs of ears, and with its piston in axial alignment with pivot pin bore bearing surfaces formed in the associated said one pair of ears;
• and
• a broaching tool connected to said piston, and being operable to broach the bore bearing surfaces of the associated said one pair of ears, when the hydraulic means is energized to move the piston in a direction to apply a pulling force to said broaching tool.

The method of converting the components of a pivotal coupling, which have become stuck and inoperative due to corrosive action on engaged end surfaces of its pivot pin and associated surrounding bearing surfaces, into a coupling having a substantially non-corrosive pivot pin and associated bearing surfaces which comprises the steps of:

• applying a force axially against an end of the stuck pivot pin to remove the pin from the associated bearing surfaces;
• broaching the bearing surfaces to similarly increase their diameters;
• mounting annular bearing liners of a substantially non-corrosive material in the increased diameters of the bearing surfaces;
• and
• installing a new pivot pin of a substantially non-corrosive material in operative association with said bearing liners.