DKCDKC
Platinum Member
The left lift link on my JD 3038e broke this afternoon - at a time when I was doing FEL work and had nothing on the hitch. The lift link is the bar from the hydraulic arm down to the draft link, the bar that is a third of the 3-pt hitch.
I was busy and didn't notice the break I guess, and backed up with a few vines in my bucket. The back of the tractor rose up - the same effect you get when you try to lift more than the tractor can handle. I lowered the bucket and - tho it took a few seconds for the left rear to drop- I didn't notice it for a few moments - then heard a dragging noise and checked.
The draft link had dropped and, as I backed, it had lifted up the back rear wheel and wedged forward.
I studied the situation - since I was a mile from anywhere, then removed the sway chain and slowly ran forward. The link lifted the tractor again and came out where it was supposed to be. I wired it up until I was finished.
The lift link broke at the weld, so I can only assume it was a defect - although I have used a box blade and rotary cutter on it recently without problem. Got 35 hours on the tractor.
I'll drop by the dealer tomorrow.
I was busy and didn't notice the break I guess, and backed up with a few vines in my bucket. The back of the tractor rose up - the same effect you get when you try to lift more than the tractor can handle. I lowered the bucket and - tho it took a few seconds for the left rear to drop- I didn't notice it for a few moments - then heard a dragging noise and checked.
The draft link had dropped and, as I backed, it had lifted up the back rear wheel and wedged forward.
I studied the situation - since I was a mile from anywhere, then removed the sway chain and slowly ran forward. The link lifted the tractor again and came out where it was supposed to be. I wired it up until I was finished.
The lift link broke at the weld, so I can only assume it was a defect - although I have used a box blade and rotary cutter on it recently without problem. Got 35 hours on the tractor.
I'll drop by the dealer tomorrow.