New JD 3038e, busted the chains??

[ericstac]

Nermind on the replacement parts.

I went to the hardware store and picked up a few of these:

They are rated for 3300lbs of safe working loan.. This should do it good..

 

[nunyabinis]

That'll work but here's the link to the online Parts Catalog:



John Deere - Parts Catalog






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[RWolf]

That's just weird. Somethings wrong. I've been pretty abusive with my 3pt and haven't even come close to breaking a chain. I've even tightened both chains to the max and lifted (very carfully) and I don't bind up at all. IMO your chains are too short.

Good luck.

 

[nunyabinis]

That's just weird. Somethings wrong. I've been pretty abusive with my 3pt and haven't even come close to breaking a chain. I've even tightened both chains to the max and lifted (very carfully) and I don't bind up at all. IMO your chains are too short.

Good luck.

There's really no way to get the chains too short on a 3038e. The chains are hooked to the tractor on the centerline of the drag links. The geometry between the chains and drag links doesn't change when raising the 3pt.


It is very interesting that he keeps braking the chains. The only thing that I can think of is that the chains are too loose which may allow the implement to swing back and forth enough to build a lot of kinetic energy thereby snapping the chain when the chain suddenly tightens.

 

[ericstac]

I may have them too loose. This is my first tractor and I don't have any first hand knowledge telling me how tight to have them. The 3pt can move side to side though. I will measure tonight or this weekend.

On a bright note, it held up good with the link I bought from the hardware store. I used the box blade only but did some pretty hard hitting work removing those darn Chinese Tallow roots and stumps.

 

[RWolf]

When setting my chains I tighten both sides evenly until there is only a small amount of side play. If it's building up enough kinetic energy to snap chains that's a lot of play. Just make sure your implement is centered and tighten both chains evenly.

Good luck.

 

[ericstac]

When setting my chains I tighten both sides evenly until there is only a small amount of side play. If it's building up enough kinetic energy to snap chains that's a lot of play. Just make sure your implement is centered and tighten both chains evenly.

Good luck.

I will measure the play.. I do know that I make sure it doesn't allow the 3pt to get anywhere near the tires when I move the implement side to side, so there probably isnt much play.

I will check tonight....

 

[ericstac]

I measured the sway of the box blade while it was held up a few inches off the ground.

I moved it to the left and put a marker on the ground and then moved it all the way to the right and then marked the ground again. This distance was right about 3 inches.

The chains are definitely not tight. I can grab them and rattle them up and down a little.

From what I understand I should center the box blade and then tighten the chains snug, and then move the 3pt up and down to make sure it doesnt bind up, from being too tight?

 

[nunyabinis]

From what I understand I should center the box blade and then tighten the chains snug, and then move the 3pt up and down to make sure it doesnt bind up, from being too tight?

That's the way I usually do it.

I'll attach the implement, raise if off the ground a few inches, then tighten the chain on the side that's closest to the centerline so that it draws the implement back toward the center. Once centered I'll then tighten the opposing chain until snug. Just don't over-tighten it. Snug is all you need.




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[ericstac]

I tried to snug my chains this weekend and noticed I couldn't get it 100% snug because the darn quick link is about a 1/4 inch longer than a link and with the adjuster all the way tight it was still loose, but not much..

nothing busted this weekend while hogging 4 acres and dragging dirt.