Bent Draft Link

[snpower]

Ugghh. These are around $175.00. Any chance it could be straightened out, or is there an aftermarket/generic replacement that would work for part LVA23630?

TIA

 

[5030]

Looks like a lower hitch arm to me and yes you can straighten it by heating with an oxy-acetylene torch and a small rose bud along with a 5 pound drilling hammer and a flat steel welding table or hydraulic press.

 

[Big Barn]

Disconnect it and take to someone with a press. Bend it cold.

 

[oldtimer 66]

If you take the draft link to someone for repair, take the good one with you also. Then who ever does the repair will have a pattern/ out line to follow. Opposite hand/ mirrored image etc.

 

[5030]

Patently curious as to how you did that?

 

[beenthere]

Press it back cold, IMO too.

 

[snpower]

Thanks for the input, everyone. I took both links to my local and trusted auto shop and they made it as good as new - at no charge.

 

[beenthere]

Thanks for the input, everyone. I took both links to my local and trusted auto shop and they made it as good as new - at no charge.

Not telling what you did to bend it like that? If known, others may be able to avoid the same.

 

[snpower]

Not telling what you did to bend it like that? If known, others may be able to avoid the same.

I'm trying to compose it properly and add a picture

So I have a Heavy Hitch, with 8 40+ pound weights which was/is attached to the three point using Pat's system. I believe a I did not quite have the retaining clip (see photo) set in place correctly which allowed one side of the Heavy Hitch to slide up out of the sytem. I was digging out some stumps, with my CRI stump bucket and I felt an impact as I was backing up. I turned around and saw one side of the Heavy Hitch on the ground. After I shut down and inspected everything I noticed the bent arm. I am not certain that is what happened but... pretty sure.

Lesson --> Just like with airplanes preflight your tractor