3-Point Hitch Branson 3120R obstructed 3-point stabilizer pin...

[smorloc]

Howdy.

I recently purchased a used Branson 3120R with a BH760 backhoe. It may be a 2013.

I have an issue with the three point hitch stabilizers. The pins on the tractor for the stabilizers are hard up against the tractor frame. I destroyed a clip trying to get one out and I see no way to get a new clip in there. It is as if the frame was assembled after the pin/clip was in place and pressure was put against the pin/clip. This assembly just doesn't seem right. I am hoping someone can help me figure this out and come up with a workable solution.

I have some images that will hopefully show you what I am seeing (two of the thumbnails are upside down and I'm not sure why):

Picture of the three point setup. The stabilizer is not attached...


Closer view of the right hand lower hitch arm and the pin where the stabilizer should be connected...


Close up of the right hand stabilizer pin showing how tight it is...


The tractor seems to have had very little use and I don't see any evidence that the thee point hitch was ever used. The original/only owner passed away and the dealership that originally sold it is no longer in business. Currently I don't have any local resource for assistance.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[FastEddieR]

My 4720 is the same, very tight fit. I haven't had to remove the arms, but it looks like the pin should rotate so you can get a screwdriver through the round end of the clip and pry it out. There should be enough space to then slide the pins out towards the wheels. Maybe judicious use of WD40 may help things move easier.

 

[smorloc]

Thanks for the reply. Are your pins so hard up against the frame that they are not able to rotate without significant force? This seems like a flawed design in an otherwise pretty nice tractor. The 3 point hitch, and even the backhoe, go on easily except for the stabilizer pin & clip.

I did rotate the pin (with much effort using channel lock pliers) to position it properly to remove the clip however the clip would not come out without enough force to ruin the pin. Once the clip was removed, the pin moved freely so I believe the pin was bound in place by the clip. There is currently no way, at any angle of pin rotation, to put a clip back in. Only part of the clip hole is visible.

I am assuming that the correct stabilizer pins were installed. Since there is no other solution presenting itself, I think I will grind down the end of the pin so the clip hole can be exposed enough to get the clip in.

My 4720 is the same, very tight fit. I haven't had to remove the arms, but it looks like the pin should rotate so you can get a screwdriver through the round end of the clip and pry it out. There should be enough space to then slide the pins out towards the wheels. Maybe judicious use of WD40 may help things move easier.

 

[LouNY]

Thanks for the reply. Are your pins so hard up against the frame that they are not able to rotate without significant force? This seems like a flawed design in an otherwise pretty nice tractor. The 3 point hitch, and even the backhoe, go on easily except for the stabilizer pin & clip.

I did rotate the pin (with much effort using channel lock pliers) to position it properly to remove the clip however the clip would not come out without enough force to ruin the pin. Once the clip was removed, the pin moved freely so I believe the pin was bound in place by the clip. There is currently no way, at any angle of pin rotation, to put a clip back in. Only part of the clip hole is visible.

I am assuming that the correct stabilizer pins were installed. Since there is no other solution presenting itself, I think I will grind down the end of the pin so the clip hole can be exposed enough to get the clip in.

You have the correct solution right there just shorten the end of the pin just a bit.
You could loosen the bolts that secure the forward loader frame brace and possibly drive it inward a small amount,
but it would likely work its way back over.

 

[Cougsfan]

That definitely looks like a flawed design where the guy designing the loader frame and the guy designing the stabilizer mount forgot to talk to each other. I too think that grinding some the inboard end of the pin away will solve the problem. You could also consider drilling a new hole for the retaining clip closer to the inboard edge of the pin.

 

[ptsg]

That definitely looks like a flawed design where the guy designing the loader frame and the guy designing the stabilizer mount forgot to talk to each other. I too think that grinding some the inboard end of the pin away will solve the problem. You could also consider drilling a new hole for the retaining clip closer to the inboard edge of the pin.

Indeed they forgot to talk to each other. The loader is most likely built by Ansung, which builds attachments for several other brands.

They should have checked that a bit closer though.

I can't see why one couldn't drill an hole on that loader frame bracket. Just a little bit bigger than the pin for the stabilizer.

 

[ericm979]

You can see how when they bolted the loader frame on to the axle they slid it over as far as possible to give some clearance for the 3pt arm mount. You could undo the loader frame bolts and grind out the holes a bit so it can be slid even farther inwards. But grinding the pins down would be easier.

 

[ruffdog]

Compare the left side and right side....they sure are not mirror images. The RH one is mounted near the outer axle bolt and the LH one is near the inner bolt.

 

[LouNY]

Compare the left side and right side....they sure are not mirror images. The RH one is mounted near the outer axle bolt and the LH one is near the inner bolt.

I believe that is just a perspective from the picture,
if the OP were to take a close up picture of the left side then it would be easier to tell.

 

[ptsg]

Compare the left side and right side....they sure are not mirror images. The RH one is mounted near the outer axle bolt and the LH one is near the inner bolt.

The left one is not mounted in place. It's just hanging there.