BX Rear Frame Alignment @ Drawbar Shifted During Bro-Tek Skidplate Install

jster804 · Mar 2, 2009

I'm thinking that some type of jack in between the side plates might be the way to go for my application. I'm trying to get the Bro-Tek Skid Plate installed and it utilizes the two forward bolts. The pry bar / punch would work but I don't think I have enough hands to get the skid plate in place and handle the alignment. I haven't heard of anyone else having this problem for this particular install. Just my luck I guess. I got yelled at by my dealer today for taking my tractor apart

. They started screaming that I was voiding the warranty. Yeah, O.K.

WaxMan · Mar 2, 2009

Put the punch thru the skid plate hole and into the other two plates at the same time then pry it over to get a starter bolts to hold up the skid plate.
You could use a jack to help hold up the skid plate , but the jack won't help with the alignment.

dirtworksequip · Mar 2, 2009

Yea, do what WaxMan said. You are just going to be fighting it with the jack. If you don't have enough hands use a foot,knee,forearm ,thigh or any other available body part to put pressure on the bar.

Sincerely, Dirt

Evil the Weasel · Mar 2, 2009

Would it be possible to use some smaller diameter bolts on one side to get everything in place and then use the prying technique to replace the small bolts one at a time? That may make it easier to do without a bunch of help.

radioman · Mar 3, 2009

Actually when OP first posted about the problem, I envision the issue was the frame went out, not in. I would make it easier by just putting a tapered punch in the holes on the one side it doesnt line up and put a 3/8 plywood underneath one side of the tire and drive up and on it. this might help it spread. IF it doesnt spread enough, then try a 2X6 instead. IF it still doesnt line up, then I would follow what the other TBN'er said to do with a bottle jack or something to wedge it with. MY method would be the least paint damaging way. Let us know how it turned out. I am glad you have posted pictures of it and let us know if the potential problem. If I ever add the brotek plate, I would end up putting a 2X4 spacer snugged in before I pull the bolts. (sorry about the last sentence, you are probably kicking yourself on this but hey we all are still learning right ?)

jster804 · Mar 7, 2009

Rookie over-reaction folks. When the hole alignment shifted initially I figured that there was no way I'd be able to align that thick steel easily... Well, I gathered up a full arsenal of tools last night preparing to do what ever it took to fix this. I managed to get all the bolts in place by putting them in the plate first and then wiggling the whole assembly into place. This left me with some bolts that were really crooked due to the misalignment. Well the misalignment easily remedied itself as soon as I snugged up the nuts. No more problem. In fact, hindsight, I should have just tried that in the first place. I was just being OVERLY cautious. Problem resolved. Thank you very much for all of your suggestions.

By the way, I never did get the skid plate on. I'd like to get slightly longer rear bolts so I can continue to use the washer that's on the existing bolt. Does anyone know EXACTLY what size and type of bolt those are on the rear of the tractor?

CHDinCT · Mar 7, 2009

jster804,

Good to know you got it back together. Sometimes you just have to put a problem aside and come back to it another day, then, bingo, a light comes on and you have it figured out. Anyway, my BX parts manual gives a part number but it doesn't give the bolt size. If it helps any, I show the bolts as part 01133-51440 and the flanged nuts as 02771-50140. I put those part numbers into messicks.com and they come up, but again, no size is given. Maybe take one out and take it to the hardware store so you can get one slightly longer. Good luck.

Skyco · Mar 8, 2009

The bolts are metric and depending on suppliers in your area ones that big may be little hard to find. When I installed my home made skid plate I replaced them with grade 5 SAE bolts in a "close enough" size. They are a lot easier to find.

BXpanded · Mar 8, 2009

The bolts look to be 12mm diameter 40mm long...
Depending on the clearance in the hole, a 1/2" bolt (12.5mm) might fit. A 7/16" is just slightly smaller at 11.1 mm.

tommu56 · Mar 8, 2009

A big thing to remember is to loosen all the bolts on any bracket like that (ie the mounting bolts too) then put all the bolts in before tightening any thing usually there is enough play to get the bolts in then start the tightening process.

tom