3pt lower arm pins backing out

[Shimon]

Had my L3400 for a couple of weeks now...nearly 10 hours on it.

Just noticed that the pins that hold the lower arms of the 3pt hitch have backed out to the point where they nearly fell out. Appears the bolts that hold those pins in place were installed at some point but maybe forgotten to be re-installed by the dealer or have both backed out and disappeared. Not sure which is the case since I can't recall if they were ever there.

Guess it time to do the 10 hour check of bolt torque and integrity.

Has anyone else seen this problem?

 

[Shimon]

Another photo.

 

[kubotabilly]

Shimon,
You need to go to your dealer and get 2 bolts to hold those pins in. Someone at the dealer probably just hand tightened them and they fell out. Your mower blades don't like those pins when they fall out (don't ask how I know that) /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif.

Bill

 

[wushaw]

Yes obviously someone failed to tighten the bolts, I have not had that problem in 72hrs of removing/installing the 3pt arms many times. It takes a 14mm wrench to secure them.
The bolts also have lock washers.

 

[hunterridgefarm]

Samething happened to my 3130 after about 30 hrs; arm pin on one side fell out while using box blade. Fortunately I was using the tractor at home because I never could find the pin, it was lost while spreading 14 ton of gravel.

Now everytime I use the tractor I check these pins.

 

[bandit67]

I had the same problem early on with my SubCUT, but fortunately I caught it before the bolts dissapeared. I re-tightened them and added Locktite (there are no lock washers), and they haven't budged since. I'm now at 155 hours.

 

[jrlichina]

If you look at his second photo you'll notice the rust pattern then the paint circle from the hole in the pin mounting tab. It looks like the bolts were never installed from the get go.

 

[Shimon]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( If you look at his second photo you'll notice the rust pattern then the paint circle from the hole in the pin mounting tab. It looks like the bolts were never installed from the get go. )</font>

Actually, I have to disagree. I think the second photo looks like bolts were installed. You can see where the bolt head made a mark on the flat plate of the pin from the torque.

I stopped by the dealer and they gave me some new bolts. Installed them with some blue Loctite and they should be good to go.

 

[wushaw]

Shimon, if the bolts you got from the dealer has lock washers on them there should be no reason to use loctite...although if you have no reason to need to remove the 3pt arms then it will work just great.
Yes I know the blue stuff is removable but the lock washers do work.