Bush Hog BH25 yokes breaking

[JWR]

Except I just unwrapped then new parts and helped him install them ..... new parts had a tag with that exact part number. I double checked.

The possibility is that the same part number is used both before and after a design change like moving the kink further down towards the rear of the strap. Older versus newer part with the same numbers. If it were a whole tractor there'd be records of "after serial # such and such" but they are never going to do that on a simple thing like a lift strap on a bush hog.

So the original post pictures may be just be of an older version of the straps. Not "incorrect" as wirlybird said, just older.

 

[JWR]

Just some more info to quell any speculation of the top flex link issues.

After installation I backed the cutter up an embankment and it rose up to about a 35-40° angle with the tractor. No problem with the link doing what it should do and it could probably go another 15° before the linkage would start to bind.

What I did notice was the difference in bends between the new and old arms. The old arms have been straightened out. This leads me to believe tension is the factor here. In raising the 3 point if you just pull the lever up it's a pretty violent action and the cutter actually bounces a couple times. He agreed that he needs to be smoother in raising it.

Soooo... he also changed his mind about going to chains. If we have to replace another, it will be chains.

When you backed up you probably did not back up into some obstruction like a tree or post to put forward force on the linkage. Might be instructive? But good grief -- we have beaten this to an interesting death -- CHAIN solves all the issues. Glad to hear chain is in your plans.

 

[JWR]

It's very surprising to me to see that the manufacturers still go with the bars instead of just a piece of chain, considering they're always looking for the cheapest way of doing something possible. The chains would fit pretty much any mower, is cheap for the manufacturer and for the end user and they wouldn't even need to redesign that part of the mower on new units or change to a new part number.

Is there really any point for the bars to still being used? Am I missing something really obvious?

No, there is no point in still using bars/straps yet all the mfrs do it. See my post # 39. I have to wonder if the lawyers have had a hand in this bars vs chain issue. Some far-fetched liability issue. Another possibility is the marketing/sales people [sometimes as quirky as lawyers] may think chain is not a fitting image for their products ?? Don't you wish we had access to the corporate discussions on such things? One of my fantasies.

 

[ning]

After installation I backed the cutter up an embankment and it rose up to about a 35-40° angle with the tractor. No problem with the link doing what it should do and it could probably go another 15° before the linkage would start to bind. .

I suspect if you lower the cutter a bit, those links will come into alignment with the yoke, and depending on how things are set up, as it raises there's a chance - influenced by how much the cutter is pushing (due to active backing on flat or going uphill) or pulling (tractor pulling on cutter, or backing downhill) on the links, it could get in a bind.

The evidence is there on that angle piece that the lower bolt is wearing a notch into it which can increase the odds of a bind-up.

Replace those links with chains, either now or after he breaks these links - they'll be breaking again soon.

 

[JWR]

...

The evidence is there on that angle piece that the lower bolt is wearing a notch into it which can increase the odds of a bind-up.

Replace those links with chains, either now or after he breaks these links - they'll be breaking again soon.

Amen. No matter how well behaved this operator is, the wear on the flex link underside from contact with that rearmost bolt is there. Undeniable. Slightly curved wear pattern. By the way, this wasn't a used hog was it ?

 

[ptsg]

No, there is no point in still using bars/straps yet all the mfrs do it. See my post # 39. I have to wonder if the lawyers have had a hand in this bars vs chain issue. Some far-fetched liability issue. Another possibility is the marketing/sales people [sometimes as quirky as lawyers] may think chain is not a fitting image for their products ?? Don't you wish we had access to the corporate discussions on such things? One of my fantasies.

I don't know the reasons either but to me, a piece of chain looks way better, cleaner and it simply works great than all of those flimsy setups with bars, brackets flopping around just getting bent.

 

[wirlybird]

The possibility is that the same part number is used both before and after a design change like moving the kink further down towards the rear of the strap. Older versus newer part with the same numbers. If it were a whole tractor there'd be records of "after serial # such and such" but they are never going to do that on a simple thing like a lift strap on a bush hog.

So the original post pictures may be just be of an older version of the straps. Not "incorrect" as wirlybird said, just older.

Yes, I think the current strap is a new version or an actual manufacturing mistake.
I think BH may be outsourcing replacement parts.
Anyway, it is too bad the dealer wouldn't take a more proactive approach to helping with the issue.