Deere 3120 (3320, 3520, 3720) Snapped trailer hitch tow bar bolt houseing - fix/weld?

[B8FISH]

I think I'd leave it alone and use the quick hitch mounted bar--if you fix it, you'll want to use it and that could lead to bigger problems....just remember to careful with a load on the 3PH that could raise up on you when you don't want it to ;-)

 

[Mechanos]

I don't think you'd ever get the "ears" to stay on there by just welding them on. IF I were to fix it, I just build the whole area up with weld and then drill and tap new holes. That part wouldn't be too bad, but I think you'd pretty much have to remove the case and probably partially disassemble it. That's probably the deal killer.

Looks like a classic case of someone using too little tractor to attempt to move too much object and jerked the strap or chain.

 

[Shawk]

I think I'd leave it alone and use the quick hitch mounted bar--if you fix it, you'll want to use it and that could lead to bigger problems....just remember to careful with a load on the 3PH that could raise up on you when you don't want it to ;-)

Yeah, I think you're right B8 and that's the way I've been leaning. With the wealth of experience on this forum I thought I'd post in case there was a "simple" fix (ha!). What do you mean by the 3ph raising up when I wouldn't want it to? Are you talking about if I fixed it? Thanks

 

[Shawk]

I don't think you'd ever get the "ears" to stay on there by just welding them on. IF I were to fix it, I just build the whole area up with weld and then drill and tap new holes. That part wouldn't be too bad, but I think you'd pretty much have to remove the case and probably partially disassemble it. That's probably the deal killer.

Looks like a classic case of someone using too little tractor to attempt to move too much object and jerked the strap or chain.

Ah!! Bingo, I bet that's exactly what happened... :thumbsup: It's amazing what these machines can do... but more amazing what some think they should do!

 

[dusty3030]

3pt doesn't have any down pressure. It only raises up, gravity down. So if you were pulling a trailer that was heavy on the back of the trailer it could jerk the hitch straight up.

 

[Mechanos]

Yeah, I think you're right B8 and that's the way I've been leaning. With the wealth of experience on this forum I thought I'd post in case there was a "simple" fix (ha!). What do you mean by the 3ph raising up when I wouldn't want it to? Are you talking about if I fixed it? Thanks

There is no down force exerted by the rockshaft, so if you're towing a trailer with a 3pt hitch mounted drawbar and the tongue of the trailer gets light, there is nothing stopping the tongue from lifting up on the 3pt hitch linkage.... until the rockshaft tops out. Slamming the rockshaft against the max lift limit can damage stuff.

 

[Shawk]

Got it guys... I knew that and have had a tractor of some kind for quite a while now... I wasn't sure if there was something else you were talking about. Thanks for the heads up! I'm always open to learn more.

 

[Shawk]

As I think about that and how this thing probably broke... I've gotta hand it to the engineers and the design. While maybe it could be stronger, it's a good thing it was designed separate from the housing otherwise these guys that over use would be yanking the entire house out rather than just the bolts holding that little receiver on. :thumbsup:

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

There is no down force exerted by the rockshaft, so if you're towing a trailer with a 3pt hitch mounted drawbar and the tongue of the trailer gets light, there is nothing stopping the tongue from lifting up on the 3pt hitch linkage.... until the rockshaft tops out. Slamming the rockshaft against the max lift limit can damage stuff.

The little 9N Fords had a solution for that. A pair of stabilizer arms that went from the pin on the drawbar to the top link. On the downside, that also eliminated height adjustment IIRC.

 

[jgayman]

The little 9N Fords had a solution for that. A pair of stabilizer arms that went from the pin on the drawbar to the top link. On the downside, that also eliminated height adjustment IIRC.

Yep. You also needed to be sure to flip the little lever to lock-out the 3PH from raising. Otherwise a fist full of rock shaft lever while having a brain fart left you with a couple pieces of steel pretzels.