Abstract: A connecting rod of an internal combustion engine, that includes a large bore, and an interior bore surface. The current art uses soft metal bearing surfaces to reduce wear, and friction between the connecting rod inner diameter and the crankshaft journal surface. The soft metal bearing surface is a separate component of the engine. In this invention the large bore end interior diameter is coated with a hard material to reduce, or eliminate wear. The hard material is a metal or metal alloy applied to the inner diameter by a thermal spray method. A relatively soft polymer material can also be applied to the interior diameter surface of the con-rod bore. The relatively softer polymer acts as a first and sometimes a consumable layer, and applied over the thermal sprayed hard layer. The polymer layer is often used in conjunction with the sprayed metal layer.

Abstract: A non-corrosive mounting bracket includes first and second members that have L-shapes and include horizontal and vertical portions defining a 90 degree elbow. The first member vertical portion is abutted against a post's rear surface and has a fastener assembly attached thereto. The fastener assembly includes a bolt and wing nut. The second member's vertical portion is abutted against the post's front surface, and the horizontal portion extends rearward along the post and travels parallel to the first member horizontal portion. The second member horizontal portion has a slot so that the fastener assembly is slidably positionable along the slot. L-shaped fingers are formed with the second member and protrude forwardly away from the post for receiving select portions of the feed bucket so that the bucket is maintained at a static position during feeding procedures.