For you corn guys, this post might not make any sense to you...

Around here, the JD 1610 chisel [sweep] plow, with 18 inch sweeps, is something that most people have in their equipment line-up.  It is one of the best plows JD ever made; and in my opinion, the 1610 is much better than its' younger relative, the JD 610.  The JD 610's had a lot of trouble with the rockshaft....a LOT of trouble...I have owned (2) JD 610's: one had big-time rockshaft trouble, and the other one did not.

I use a 41' (40' with a shank taken off) JD 1610 w/18 inch sweeps in front of my drills.  My 40 ft of JD drills works great behind this plow (pulled altogether with a 4wd tractor); and I always get a beautiful stand of wheat.

One of my neighbors is retiring, and has offered to sell me his 39 ft JD 1610.  I was considering buying it from him, just to have on-hand to pull w/another tractor (a JD 8410 mfwd).  It would be nice to have it, just for clean-up jobs while the 4wd tractor is pulling the plow/drill setup.

I called my local JD salesman the other day, and he told me what these plows were selling for.  He also said that the rockshaft for the JD 1610 is no longer available from John Deere. Huh??  I realize that this plow is not "new" and up to date; but in this part of the world, the 1610's are a staple (they're thick).

So, my question:  Would a machine shop be able to fabricate a rockshaft for me in the unlikely event that a 1610 rockshaft were to break on me?  I have had several widths of 1610 plows for many years, and have ~never had any rockshaft trouble; but just as sure as I get another 1610, something will happen...  Do you reckon a machine shop would/could fab.  a rockshaft for [close to] the same money as John Deere is getting for their [now discontinued] rockshaft?  TIA for the replies.