bent 3ph lift link on right side - 4100 HST....

[garchib]

while I was re-attaching my JD 261 RMM, I noticed that
the right-side (facing forward) lift-link on my JD 4100 HST
was bent.....so I looked it up in the manual and noticed
it is bent in the manual....right ? actually, mine was bent
worse than it should have been /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif I took it to the dealer and they agreed and ordered me a new one....what
is interesting is that these lift links are MUCH heavier on the
4110 than the 4100...obviously, this has been a problem. what is more perplexing is how they got bent, as I only have
75 hours on my tractor in under two years from mowing.
I keep the sway links nice and tight so the mower deck does
not swing around at all. Oh well, just another reason to
go for the next larger tractor (4210/4310) /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Anyone out there in 4100 land have this happen to them ?

 

[normde2001]

See the thread entitled "4300 repeatedly breaks turnbuckle". I think his problem was lower pins too wide apart, (31.5" instead of cat. 1 norm. of 26"), and sway arms too tight, throwing everything into a major bind when lifted.

 

[garchib]

....thanks....I should get a dope-slap for not looking a little
more carefully myself /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

....I don't think that is the problem, as I have very little adjustment on the width of the arms on the 4100 when
attached to the 261 mower......I will ask the dealer about
this, as they have a pretty large service department and see
what they say......

 

[iamgott]

garchib, is this the adjustable lift link? "turnbuckle"? If so, I'm suprised it bent, they are of a very strong, but brittle cast. Usually, they will snap before they bend. Oh, and Normd, it was the hieght of the center pin on the draft link that measured 31 and 1/2" inches. After I lowered it to 28" I see it soes not twist nearly as much. Since the dealer serviced this part many times, incl. adjustment, one would think they would have realized it was to high. Im sure there is a specific specification for the hieght of the 3 pt. although I haven't yet found it.
Garchib, If it is the turnbuckle that bent, you might want to check the hieght of the draft arm/link. These really should not bend, under any circumstance, unless something's out of adjustment. Also, the newest replacement they gave me is a little different than the other turnbuckles they have been giving me. I have a 4300 hydro and this turnbuckle has repeatedly broke over the past 2 years. I believe it was the hieght of the 3 point that was causing it. Hope you get it worked out, gott

 

[normde2001]

I guess I just don't know what draft arms and draft links are. I'm familiar with lower lift arms that attach to the lift arm pins on the implement and are raised by the lower lift arm links. are they the same things? I can't imagine what the 31 1/2" distance was.

 

[garchib]

Re: bent 3ph lift link on right side - 4100 HST...

gott, the lift link on the 4100 has a bend designed into it and it appears
my bend "worsened", for a lack of a better term.....the reason I think
this might have been a problem on this model is that they are REALLY
beefed up on the new 4110 tractor.....the only other option is mine had
too much of a bend to begin with (i.e. defective part). I did a little
persuading of the dealer to give me a new one, as my tractor
will be out of warranty in a couple of months /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I am going to verify my 3PH is adjusted correctly and then keep an eye
on it.....I am also going to lubricate the ball joint ends of my 3ph to make
sure they are not binding at all and putting stress on the setup.....
The only thing I do differently than most people is I put my RMM on and off a lot, because I attach my little Sears trailer for hauling stuff.
Other than that, I am a weekend mower....
Thanks to all, G