John Deere toothbar doesnt fit- JD says it's built to spec

[jason6]

My John Deere toothbar came in and first of all, it showed up beat to **** with paint pealing already because JD didn't package or wrap it in anything and just stuck a shipping label on it. Tried putting it on and it wouldnt fit. So i used a right angle grinder with one of those pads and took a smidgen off each side of the bracket, greased the bucket and tried again. Wouldnt go on so i used the down pressure to try to force it on. Well after raising the bucket and dropping it on my concrete floor (with down pressure) all it did was lift the tractor up. The toothbar wouldnt even go halfway on.

Local dealer says that JD sent the specs of it and the bar is to spec. And given the specs they were given the toothbar is actually smaller than the acceptable range. So if they ordered a new one it could be bigger.

He said they'd have to grind it down to make it fit.

What the heck? I'm so put out with JD right now. I pay a premium price to get an OEM JD part and not only doesn't it fit, but apparently JD doesnt make them to a speck that fits even?!?!?!??!!

What should i do?

[Scooby074]

try a sledgehammer?

Grind the toothbar to fit?

Its very possible that your bucket has been or came from the factory slightly tweeked and some modification to the TB will be required to work with what you got..

Last thing I'd do is grind the bucket itself.

Pictures might help.

[jason6]

Thanks for the reply!

I used a smaller sledge to start the TB. And i ground it a slight bit... Took the paint off anyways, plus a little more.

Figured if slamming it on the conrete garage floor didn't do it nothing would. I literally lifted the whole front of the tractor up with the down pressure.

Unfortunately i dont have any pics because the toothbar is back at the dealer.

I'm very miffed at JD.

also they suggested that i drop my bucket off and they fit it to the bucket. But 1) Already make 2 trips there to pick up the TB and another to drop the TB back off. and 2) When i was there dropping the TB back off i helped one of the kids carry the TB into the garage. Apparently we didn't put it in the right spot so the kid proceeded to drag the TB across their shop floor while the thing screeched away and left a white line across the shop floor. So.... I dont really trust them to take care of my new JD HD bucket.

I'm sick and tired of getting "new" accessories from JD that come pre-broken in. I dont want to double down with my bucket....

anyways, I guess my options are to return it or work to try to get it to fit. Is it worth paying the premium price for a JD oem part to have to get a product that doesnt fit anyways? Or should i cut my loses, save a few bucks and order an aftermarket bar that comes to my door not needing to be pounded.

[Scooby074]

Hard to tell you what to recommend.

Honestly it is a toothbar, something that engages the dirt, so dragging it across the floor wouldnt upset me in the slightest. Now, if you wax your tractor, then I can understand

Id drop the bucket off and let them modify the bar to fit.

Buying an aftermarket bar may not change a thing, unless they make it custom to your field measurements. If they use the JD spec, you could very well be right back where you are now. If they make it undersize (so it slides on easily), it will be too small.

Modifying the bar is not the end of the word, nor is it unexpected. I have a toothbar, that I fabricated myself on my BX and I literally have to use a sledgehammer to install and remove it. In use the bucket will shift around and the tooth bar that once fit fine, now does not. It's just the nature of the beast. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/k...r-horst-2.html

[nybirdman]

I know when I had mine built(Markum)they had me measure the bucket and made it 1/2" shorter.Fell in,perfect.Also not a problem to remove,just two bolts.I wouldn't want to "pound" it on,you may not get it off if desired.

[oldnslo]

+ 1 with nybirdman.

I had to measure my bucket and then it was made shorter so that you can install and remove without a sledge hammer. Once they have been used and filled with mud, they can be hard enough to remove without being a press fit.

[jason6]

Thanks again for the reply...

Actually yea... i did wax my tractor.. :\ Put 3 coats on the hood and it's smooth as glass.

I wasn't so choked up with the TB being dragged but i didn't feel like it was their place to drag it, and wheras the tooth bar is used to engage dirt there are many parts of the bucket that dont engage dirt and i don't want the bucket beat up.

From my understanding the aftermarket TB's you have to submit a interior measurement and theyre built to order... but i mean i really dont know... this is precisely the type of feedback i was looking for! Thanks!.

[bullbreaker]

I know when I had mine built(Markum)they had me measure the bucket and made it 1/2" shorter.Fell in,perfect.Also not a problem to remove,just two bolts.I wouldn't want to "pound" it on,you may not get it off if desired.

Thats what I got back then. I just tap mine in on fel lower lip with rubber mallet. On /Off no problem.

Boone

[jason6]

so do you guys, bird man, oldnslo think i should just order an aftermarket one for less money built to fit? Or work with the dealer and try to get the JD one to fit? The JD one is really heavy so i dont know if perhaps it is a better quality? If so should i give them a measurement or allow them to "borrow" my bucket..? The shop manager said to me he wouldnt feel comfortable just grinding away at it without having the bucket to fit it to because he doesnt have a mill or anything and the grinding would take an inconsistent amount off.

[GManBart]

so do you guys, bird man, oldnslo think i should just order an aftermarket one for less money built to fit? Or work with the dealer and try to get the JD one to fit? The JD one is really heavy so i dont know if perhaps it is a better quality? If so should i give them a measurement or allow them to "borrow" my bucket..? The shop manager said to me he wouldnt feel comfortable just grinding away at it without having the bucket to fit it to because he doesnt have a mill or anything and the grinding would take an inconsistent amount off.

Paying a premium for a JD tooth bar really isn't getting you anything. They're having it made by one of a handful of places like everybody else. I measured my bucket carefully, ordered from the link below, it showed up within a week (less), and it fit perfectly. I immediately set to beating the heck out of it digging concrete chunks and rocks out of an area I'm clearing....beat on the teeth pretty hard, and not a single issue.

Bucket Toothbars