3-Point Hitch 3 point links/attachments breaking?

iamgott · Jun 9, 2003

Hi er'one, Im just wonderin if anyone else has had problems with the lift links "turnbuckle" breaking? I have had to replace the turnbuckle, lift link, like 10 times now. This time when it broke I was moving backwards, the box blade dropped, cocked to the side and broke the attachment points off the right rear axle housing that connect the drag links. Needless to say, I am totally frustrated. Many times, I can just be traveling, hit a bump, and the link will snap. I have had this machine for 2 years now, warranty expired last month, and 400 hours and at least 25 reepairs, most to the 3 point assembly. If this keeps up, Im gonna take it to a bridge and drive it off the edge! I really feel, this axle housing should not break so easily, sheeeeeesh!! /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif <font color="black"> </font>

agcomike · Jun 9, 2003

keyword backwards probaly one of two things eather your using the implement in reverse which is not recommended/designed to do and possibly the sway control is set too tight?

But i'm just guessing knowing a deere could be some parts failure issues?

DIYGuy · Jun 9, 2003

I broke mine recently and found out it was pilot error. The pivot point for the turnbuckle is higher than the pivot point for the 3pt lift, so if you tighten the turnbuckle with the implement off of the ground, then lower the implement, it places huge strain on the turnbuckles. Anything that then loads the turnbuckle even further can break the turnbuckle. I have since learned to tighten the turnbuckle with the implement lowered, and then only tighten it enough to remove sway.

I have destroyed a Boxblade in reverse, but didn't break either one of my turnbuckles.

Hope this helps...

DIYGuy

iamgott · Jun 17, 2003

Hey er'one, The turnbuckle Im referring to is the one used to adjust the "level" "tilt" of the box blade. Not the upper one, the one on the lower right hand side is the one Im referring to.
This piece has broken on me at least 6 times in 2 years, and usually when the boxblade is in the upper position. This time when it snapped, it fell, and since I was moving backwards to pull some more dirt, the corner jammed into the ground, cocked and broke the attachment points off the axle housing. A word of warning, this piece is apt to break. I am using a 6' land pride box which the dealer sold me, maybe its to heavy for the attaching hardware?. All I know, is that Im really getting tired of it breaking, if you look at one after its broke, you will see its made of sometype of cast metal. I feel this is a mistake, My thoughts are that it should be made of steel, "it isn't", what it is Im not sure, but be careful, because if yours is made like mine, I can almost gauruntee ya, its gonna break if you really use it to do any type of hard work. Like I said, mine usually gives when the box is raised, say when hitting a small bump or something, and I really mean small. It probably gets fatigued, then with the wieght of the box, it finally snaps. If you have a 5' box, you may not have probs like myself, I definetely hope not. I was quoted $750 to fix the axle housing. It broke doin a $700 job, which I had to finish by hand. After spendin $20,000 plus on a tractor, I cant say Im too happy, over 20 trips to repair in 2 years?? somethins not right

_RaT_ · Jun 17, 2003

Ed, I don't know why this is happening, it just shouldn't is all I can say. I do not know what a JD 430 hydro is as your bio shows you have. I use my tractors, a International and more recently my Kubota L3830 HST in reverse routinely with a boxscraper. My recently sold L48 was perhaps the most heavily used in reverse to cut nearly 2000 yards of what is essentially decomposed granite. My boxblade was used in reverse going downhill (very steep) using 4WD and all the tractors weight to push like a dozer. I could not drag the load uphill because of the steepness. The 3 pt hitch and lower link sways were never in any apparent harm and to the day I sold it remained straight and solid. I have used my L3830 HST in much the same manner but to a much lesser extent. I wish you the best in resolving this issue, Rat...