3-Point Hitch Major Modification on LS MT125 3pt Hitch

[rider7767]

I hated the fact that I would have to take off a tire to put on and off my 3 pt hitch after removing the backhoe. I machined some parts and made it work like a John Deere 1025R TLB. I hope you enjoy the video. I will till the garden tomorrow with it. :thumbsup:
LS MT125 Major 3pt Hitch Overhaul - YouTube

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

I hated the fact that I would have to take off a tire to put on and off my 3 pt hitch after removing the backhoe. I machined some parts and made it work like a John Deere 1025R TLB. I hope you enjoy the video. I will till the garden tomorrow with it. :thumbsup:
LS MT125 Major 3pt Hitch Overhaul - YouTube

Thanks for the video, looks a whole lot easier. After you use it, make sure you do a follow up of how it worked / held up to stress. Do you think there is another way to do your mod without having to turn down the pin? I don't have access to a lathe and am very far from any shops. I have a bunch of upcoming projects that I will need to switch back and forth: using the BH, then 3pt attachments, then back....Seems like doing that w/o your mod will be a pita! You mentioned your mod is similar to the green tractor's setup, do they sell a pin that we could use (just bolt it on?) or is there another hole that a second pin could be added the opposite direction for the stabilizer? I have not had the time to be able to look at my tractor this week. Thanks for all the videos that you have been doing. Very informative.

 

[rider7767]

Thanks for the video, looks a whole lot easier. After you use it, make sure you do a follow up of how it worked / held up to stress. Do you think there is another way to do your mod without having to turn down the pin? I don't have access to a lathe and am very far from any shops. I have a bunch of upcoming projects that I will need to switch back and forth: using the BH, then 3pt attachments, then back....Seems like doing that w/o your mod will be a pita! You mentioned your mod is similar to the green tractor's setup, do they sell a pin that we could use (just bolt it on?) or is there another hole that a second pin could be added the opposite direction for the stabilizer? I have not had the time to be able to look at my tractor this week. Thanks for all the videos that you have been doing. Very informative.

You could always use the pins the way they come. You would not have any sway control, but it would work. I am having a knee surgery tomorrow, but I can fix you some after that.

 

[ThirdMan]

That looks great. Good work!

 

[rider7767]

That looks great. Good work!

Thank you

 

[jdom84]

Very smart! My Mitsubishi tractor used the pins to connect the 3 point arms similar to what you did. I'm not quite sure why LS went with the rod method... stronger?

 

[rider7767]

Very smart! My Mitsubishi tractor used the pins to connect the 3 point arms similar to what you did. I'm not quite sure why LS went with the rod method... stronger?

I am sure it is stronger for the non-backhoe tractors; however, with the backhoe attachment, this rear end is really beefed up. I don't see a need. It is made just as heavy as the JD 1025R.

 

[rider7767]

I sent in an email to LS about the problem and my fix. I got this email back. I sent another email asking about the people who already took delivery? I am waiting on the answer.

 

[ThirdMan]

Marketing oversight? That is a strange term for a technical problem.

 

[rider7767]

Marketing oversight? That is a strange term for a technical problem.

I thought it was unusual terminology also. I just hope they will send out the fix for free if it is a Marketing Oversight. Oversight means the fault is their's. If they fix this problem, I think the tractor will be just about perfect. I have looked it over from top to bottom and I have had nothing bad to say until I got to the 3 pt hitch.

 

[pmsmechanic]

Thanks for the video, looks a whole lot easier. After you use it, make sure you do a follow up of how it worked / held up to stress. Do you think there is another way to do your mod without having to turn down the pin? I don't have access to a lathe and am very far from any shops. I have a bunch of upcoming projects that I will need to switch back and forth: using the BH, then 3pt attachments, then back....Seems like doing that w/o your mod will be a pita! You mentioned your mod is similar to the green tractor's setup, do they sell a pin that we could use (just bolt it on?) or is there another hole that a second pin could be added the opposite direction for the stabilizer? I have not had the time to be able to look at my tractor this week. Thanks for all the videos that you have been doing. Very informative.

You could just drill out the sway bar end so the it fits over the threaded end. Use a cotter pin to hold it in place just like rider7767.

 

[rider7767]

Marketing oversight? That is a strange term for a technical problem.

It occurred to me this morning that Marketing oversight might mean, they did not think people would be that upset with taking a wheel off to change out the 3 pt hitch.

 

[ThirdMan]

I thought it was unusual terminology also. I just hope they will send out the fix for free if it is a Marketing Oversight. Oversight means the fault is their's. If they fix this problem, I think the tractor will be just about perfect. I have looked it over from top to bottom and I have had nothing bad to say until I got to the 3 pt hitch.

I agree with that. I have used it as a Swiss Army knife for many tasks and it has been great for everything I need to do. I am working in taming woods and working around the house. Anything much bigger would destroy my lawn or not fit into the spaces I need.

 

[rider7767]

I agree with that. I have used it as a Swiss Army knife for many tasks and it has been great for everything I need to do. I am working in taming woods and working around the house. Anything much bigger would destroy my lawn or not fit into the spaces I need.

It is a very handy tractor

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

You could just drill out the sway bar end so the it fits over the threaded end. Use a cotter pin to hold it in place just like rider7767.

I'll have to look at the sway bar end to see if it's wide enough to drill out. I may just have to get bigger ends.

 

[rider7767]

I still have not heard back from LS. I hope they send out the fix to all owners at no cost. If not I will cut you some.

 

[rider7767]

Here is the final part of my 3 point hitch upgrade on the LS MT125. There are two videos and they are both linked to each other at the end.

LS MT125 Part 2 of 3 Point Hitch Upgrade - YouTube

 

[ThirdMan]

I emailed the dealer about the kit. He looked into it and says the lower link kit is available for $240. However, he also said they are working on another kit. Not many details on how that will be different. I will probably wait for now till I know the options. I do want an easier way to do this.

 

[rider7767]

I agree. This is my last video on this subject. It shows the ease of removing the new hitch.
LS MT125 Tractor Part 3 Final 3pt hitch upgrade (John Deer 1025R Configuration ) - YouTube

 

[gif1]

Looks nice.

I went a totally different direction. I will start a new thread for mine.