Seized Lower Hitch Point

[CompactTractorFan]

I need some help:

The lower hitch point on my BX's left lift arm is sized. It will rotate in some directions but not in others (like the right one does). This makes hooking up an implement very difficult. I have to hit the lift arm with a mallet to get it to go on. I tried using some WD-40 but that did not work...Anyone have any ideas???

 

[RoyJackson]

Can you get a picture of the pivot point of the hitch arm? I'm pretty sure that's an "eyeball" at the mount, similar to the eyeball on the implement end. Just want to confirm that.

Also, you wrote that it will pivot in some directions, but not others:
1) Will it pivot up and down?
2) Left and right?

It cannot hurt to spray a lubricant on the pivot In fact, spraying a lubricant (remember the spray white grease from that other thread?) is a good part of lubing the tractor.
I'm not sure if WD-40 is the best, but if that's what you've got, use it. Work the draft link after you spray.
While you're doing that, look at the mount. It should be a lynch pin or hitch pin or cotter of some sort holding the arm on. See if there's enough room to remove the pin and slide the arm off.

EDITED:
I may have misread your post. Is it the draft (lower) link pivot you have problems with? Or the implement end eyeball? Even if the draft link was bent, the "eyeball" rolls in all directions. Is it (use your fingers to roll it around)? Is there a burr on the eyeball through hole (you'd feel upset material with your fingers). If the eyeball rolls as it should, this could just be some rust in the through hole. If the eyeball doesn't roll all directions, look for any burrs or deformation of the ball.

Forunately, it's a nice day to be outside...

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Can you get a picture of the pivot point of the hitch arm? I'm pretty sure that's an "eyeball" at the mount, similar to the eyeball on the implement end. Just want to confirm that.

Also, you wrote that it will pivot in some directions, but not others:
1) Will it pivot up and down?
2) Left and right?

It cannot hurt to spray a lubricant on the pivot In fact, spraying a lubricant (remember the spray white grease from that other thread?) is a good part of lubing the tractor.
I'm not sure if WD-40 is the best, but if that's what you've got, use it. Work the draft link after you spray.
While you're doing that, look at the mount. It should be a lynch pin or hitch pin or cotter of some sort holding the arm on. See if there's enough room to remove the pin and slide the arm off.

EDITED:
I may have misread your post. Is it the draft (lower) link pivot you have problems with? Or the implement end eyeball? Even if the draft link was bent, the "eyeball" rolls in all directions. Is it (use your fingers to roll it around)? Is there a burr on the eyeball through hole (you'd feel upset material with your fingers). If the eyeball rolls as it should, this could just be some rust in the through hole. If the eyeball doesn't roll all directions, look for any burrs or deformation of the ball.

Forunately, it's a nice day to be outside...

Thanks for the reply Roy! It is the implement end eye ball...

Here is a short video:

YouTube - VID00010.MOV

It shows how it can move side to side and down but not up. If you look, the other can move all around. Also, it will move up with some leverage (wrench)...It sure is a nice day...

 

[RoyJackson]

Thanks for the reply Roy! It is the implement end eye ball...

Here is a short video:

YouTube - VID00010.MOV

It shows how it can move side to side and down but not up. If you look, the other can move all around. Also, it will move up with some leverage (wrench)...It sure is a nice day...

Looks like you've got a burr or a flat spot in there. Right off the bat, I suggest you spray a good lubricant and "work" the ball (even with a tool) as much as possible. You might wear the upset material down.
These balls press in and out, so you could try that, but try the lubricant and working it first.

 

[Usta]

Put a good coat of oil on the ball like SAE 30 or 10W-40 and put a long bar through the hole for leverage and move it around for a while. It will free up just like the other side.
Always wondered why there is not a grease fitting on them.

 

[Johndeere3720]

I would spray WD40 in there and put the top hitch pin from your carry all through the eye ball and move it best you can. I have had similar problems on the 3720 before abd using the hitch pin to "break it free" works pretty good. Luckly, the 3720 now has an imatch so i dont have to worry about it anymore.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Looks like you've got a burr or a flat spot in there. Right off the bat, I suggest you spray a good lubricant and "work" the ball (even with a tool) as much as possible. You might wear the upset material down.
These balls press in and out, so you could try that, but try the lubricant and working it first.

Thanks...I tried working it with a screwdriver, so I guess I'll have to work it more...

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Put a good coat of oil on the ball like SAE 30 or 10W-40 and put a long bar through the hole for leverage and move it around for a while. It will free up just like the other side.
Always wondered why there is not a grease fitting on them.

Yeah, there should be a grease fitting...

 

[CompactTractorFan]

I would spray WD40 in there and put the top hitch pin from your carry all through the eye ball and move it best you can. I have had similar problems on the 3720 before abd using the hitch pin to "break it free" works pretty good. Luckly, the 3720 now has an imatch so i dont have to worry about it anymore.

or I could use the extra long pin since I bought one of every size from TSC...

 

[SandburRanch]

Try inserting a long pin and smacking the side of it with a hammer in different locations to make the tight spot conform to the ball.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Try inserting a long pin and smacking the side of it with a hammer in different locations to make the tight spot conform to the ball.

Maybe I'll try that...

 

[RoyJackson]

Maybe I'll try that...

BTW, has this sticking ball been a problem from when you first got the tractor?

We Deere guys (especially those of us with gear transmissions) don't have this type of problem...we have perfect balls.

 

[kennyd]

Try something better than WD40 which is a poor lubricant/penetrating oil at best. PB Blaster or Fluid Film.

 

[jenkinsph]

BTW, has this sticking ball been a problem from when you first got the tractor?

We Deere guys (especially those of us with gear transmissions) don't have this type of problem...we have perfect balls.

Thats because you guys never get your balls in a crack or tight spot.

 

[radioman]

looks like you got a burr or paint still stuck there. get a half inch pipe to work it. wd 40 is only good to "wipe away the debris clean" but doesnt lubricate. I don't put grease on mine so i use white teflon spray from lowes. a screw driver will not get the leverage you need. I used to have same issue, but i worked it out. I finally got a quick hitch from HF so I don't have to fight with the eyeballs anymore. :thumbsup:

 

[Gordon Gould]

Thats because you guys never get your balls in a crack or tight spot.

:thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[CompactTractorFan]

BTW, has this sticking ball been a problem from when you first got the tractor?

Probably, I haven't really done a lot of hooking up to the 3-point...

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Try something better than WD40 which is a poor lubricant/penetrating oil at best. PB Blaster or Fluid Film.

I may be going to Home Depot soon, so I'll have to look for something else...

 

[kennyd]

I may be going to Home Depot soon, so I'll have to look for something else...

They sell PB Blaster...

 

[ctgoldwing]

Put a good coat of oil on the ball like SAE 30 or 10W-40 and put a long bar through the hole for leverage and move it around for a while. It will free up just like the other side.
Always wondered why there is not a grease fitting on them.

+1
that's what I would do