Stuck BX backhoe pins

Mowbizz · May 22, 2015

Went to remove my backhoe today so I could mow with the BH and FEL off and after about an hour of trying, prying, banging and swearing I had to mow with the full regalia attached.
Not that this is a problem but the BX25D rides much smoother without the bounciness of having the BH and FEL attached. Sprayed all the pins with PB Blaster and went out and mowed. I'll see if the pins
loosened up tomorrow...BTW the BH has been on since last mowing of 2014,,,I'm thinking they rusted in place. :thumbdown:

jeff9366 · May 22, 2015

I lube draw pins with spray graphite. Pretty good lube also very slightly abrasive so the pins polish up over time, making them easier to couple.

Spray graphite is slightly hydrocscopic, so occasionally I spray over the graphite with Eureka Fluid File, one of the best anti-corrosion sprays, probably The Best Lube for PTO splines. I like this graphite/Eureka combination.

My implements are stored outside under cotton canvas tarpaulins and I have plenty of humidity in Florida.

I have had good success with Blaster at breaking frozen fittings. Obviously, the stitch in time would have been to lube thoroughly after the last mow in 2014.

50% chance it is rust; 50% chance it is compacted dirt/dust. Blaster is good for dissolving both. Tap the frozen joints with a non-marring hammer or other tool periodically after spraying on Blaster.

Scooby074 · May 22, 2015

prob not rusted. someimes you have to jiggle and adjust the hoe and stab position to take weight off the pins. i coat them with lith grease before installing

Mowbizz · May 23, 2015

jeff9366 said:
I lube draw pins with spray graphite. Pretty good lube also very slightly abrasive so the pins polish up over time, making them easier to couple.

Spray graphite is slightly hydrocscopic, so occasionally I spray over the graphite with Eureka Fluid File, one of the best anti-corrosion sprays, probably The Best Lube for PTO splines. I like this graphite/Eureka combination.

My implements are stored outside under cotton canvas tarpaulins and I have plenty of humidity in Florida.

I have had good success with Blaster at breaking frozen fittings. Obviously, the stitch in time would have been to lube thoroughly after the last mow in 2014.

50% chance it is rust; 50% chance it is compacted dirt/dust. Blaster is good for dissolving both. Tap the frozen joints with a non-marring hammer or other tool periodically after spraying on Blaster.

Did you mean "Fluid Film"? or is there a product called fluid "file" ??

Mowbizz · May 23, 2015

Scooby074 said:
prob not rusted. someimes you have to jiggle and adjust the hoe and stab position to take weight off the pins. i coat them with lith grease before installing

Oh I adjusted and jiggled the hoe and stabs plenty...I actually was getting the pin to turn slightly when tapped on the handle but still way too tight to pull out. I have had the BH off several times but this time the pins were just non-cooperative.

jeff9366 · May 23, 2015

Mowbizz said:
Did you mean "Fluid Film"? or is there a product called fluid "file" ??

Eureka Fluid FILM. Sorry.

Scooby074 · May 23, 2015

Mowbizz said:
Oh I adjusted and jiggled the hoe and stabs plenty...I actually was getting the pin to turn slightly when tapped on the handle but still way too tight to pull out. I have had the BH off several times but this time the pins were just non-cooperative.

If youre getting it to turn, it likely isnt siezed solid. Ive had them be real buggers until it gets in just the exact right position where there is no weight on the pins and theyll pull right out., Keep jiggling :thumbsup: Id'd be tight but you might be able to get a hammer and punch up in there and try hitting the pins from the inside.

dougtrr2 · May 23, 2015

On my BX24 sometimes I can get the pins to come right out, but some days the pin Gods just aren't smiling. On those days I grab the cross pin and try to turn the pin as I play with the stabilizers and bucket. Once I can get the pin to turn I use a block of wood and drive it out.

Doug in SW IA

Mowbizz · May 23, 2015

Well, I'm wondering if these pins are manufactured a little too tight fo easy removal? Would "sanding" or polishing them down a bit hurt anything? Another problem getting them out is the lack of space on the inside of the pin...hard to get any leverage in there to do some tapping. I see that I am not the only one with pin problems...just one of those things we have to deal with on these little machines...:mur:

Poopdeck Pappy · May 23, 2015

Mowbizz said:
Well, I'm wondering if these pins are manufactured a little too tight fo easy removal? Would "sanding" or polishing them down a bit hurt anything? Another problem getting them out is the lack of space on the inside of the pin...hard to get any leverage in there to do some tapping. I see that I am not the only one with pin problems...just one of those things we have to deal with on these little machines...:mur:

If you reduce the diameter of the pins, it creates slop and slop creates wear. Not recommended.