Aaaarggggh! I broke it! Help!

[shrike]

Oh Boy! Brand new TC30 and I broke it! I was at the end of a rake run and I went to lift the rake prior to turning around and I heard a "ping" and an obvious binding noise. I looked back and the top hitch pin was half in and half out and the left hand "tang" to the top hitch was bent out of alignment and I can no longer get the top hitch pin in. So.. what did I do wrong and how do I fix it. That top attachment is some pretty tuff steel. Can it be heated and hammered back into shape? Can I buy a replacement? It appears to be attached to the back of the transmission case with four bolts. Man, I feel like one dumb novice.

Bruce
I am cross posting this to general owning /operating, hope that is ok.

 

[hazmat]

Take it off & get a new one. PS you don't have to double post, the experts here will find you. Maybe one of the moderators can delete the other one (in owning & operating)

 

[MikePA]

You've probably already thought of these 2 things, but I thought I mentioned them anyway.

1. I'd give the dealer a call and find out what a new part costs.

2. Before I tried bending it back into shape, heating it, etc. I'd take it off the tractor.

My concern with bending it back into shape and/or heating it is that it'd lose strength.

 

[shrike]

Mike and Hazmat, I'm over the initial shock and after two brews feeling better. I've removed the bracket and will get a new one and not risk reforging this one. My concern is how did I get it it such a bind and not know it. I don't want a repeat of this event? Any thoughts on that?

Bruce

 

[JerryG]

Bruce,
Can you post a picture, so we can see what we are working with?

 

[shrike]

Jerry, I wish that I had that capability. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Alas a picture is worth.... If I keep breakin stuff, I'll get a digital camera! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Bruce

 

[MikePA]

<font color="blue">Any thoughts on that? </font>
Did this come out and let the pin back out?

 

[shrike]

Mike, I can think of two scenarios; either the linch pin came out allowing the hitch pin to slide part way out OR the binding caused the linch pin to pop off and the hitch pin to slide out. I could not find the linch pin, implying that it may have come off earlier.

Bruce

Bruce

 

[MLB]

I hate those kind of pins. They come off so easy. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

 

[shrike]

I guarantee that I will no longer be using that type of pin for my top link.

Bruce