2520 leveling arm slipping

[jtheys]

I need advice. JD2520 with iMatch hitch. The right 3-pt leveling arm likes to rotate on it's own and drop the match hitch down almost as far as it can go, while mowing with no load on the match. This happens after a matter of hours over bumpy terrain. The lock hex nut and the turnbuckle rotate together down. At the end of mowing the first time I walked around back and my iMatch hitch is rotated at almost a 30 degree angle as the arm extended almost all the way down on the right side.

How do you guys stop this from happening?

Yesterday when mowing I used zip ties to tie to the top link arm. Didn't think I should have to do this. What is wrong with my setup?

 

[beenthere]

From what it sounds like, the locknut isn't tight enough against the turnbuckle.

I don't follow the zip tie procedure.

Any pic or pics of what you are facing?

 

[hanson1999]

just tighten the nut against the turnbuckle. that is what its for

 

[jtheys]

Yep, that's it. I just went out and tightened the crap out of that locknut with a big wrench. Maybe I didn't have it tight enough for some reason.

To prevent it from loosening up the last time I simply ran zip ties and connected both turn buckles so it couldn't rotate.

My land is pretty rough when mowing. I think it puts quite a jolt on those arms and the locknut just loosens. I may have to add a dab of locktite to the thread at the location I need the locknut to stay at.

 

[tmshort]

Interesting. I just noticed my imatch was off level yesterday and tightened the link, too. Both the link and nut were loose.
Same setup, 2520 and nothing on the hitch. I need to tighten down the nut today.

 

[jtheys]

the threads on that leveling arm actually have quite a bit of grease on them. I wonder if the dealer "over greased" it to the point that the components move too easily. I've got 48 hours on mine.

 

[tmshort]

Yep - mine are greasy, too.
I'm just over 30 hours.

 

[beenthere]

A pic of what you are seeing would help. I don't see a lock nut in jdparts for the JD 2520. Mostly curious. Others may be as well.

 

[jtheys]

I'm away on business so I can't take a pic for a few days. It's the right 3-pt leveling arm with the turnbuckle and locknut on top. My turnbuckle will loosen up as I operate the tractor with nothing hanging from the iMatch. Eventually it spins enough that the rich side drops to where the iMatch is about 30 degrees from level. It's a minor issue as nothing is hanging from it, but it's weird.

I really cranked down on the locknut and I hope that will fix it. It almost seems like there should be a locknut on top and bottom, not just the top. That would definitely stop it from happening.

 

[glc24]

A pic of what you are seeing would help. I don't see a lock nut in jdparts for the JD 2520. Mostly curious. Others may be as well.

This arm is what they're talking about beenthere.

Greg