How do I keep adjustments in place

Daffy · Sep 18, 2004

I can't keep the top link or turnbuckles on the lower arms where I adjust them. Either using the 6' BB, 8' FM or 6' BH they will all loosen within a matter of minutes. This is really aggravating when trying to control the FM around young trees I have planted.

Also there are 3 positions to mount the top link at the tractor. How do you determine which to use for any given implement?

Obviously a newbee.... Have a Branson 3510 with above attachments plus Auger, rake, plow. Hope to get FEL soon.

beenthere · Sep 18, 2004

Welcome to the forum.

Usually there is a lock-nut (jamb nut) on the top link as well as on the turn-buckles to tighten when adjusted the way you want them. Are you using them?

Jim_Fisher · Sep 18, 2004

Daffy,

( I can't keep the top link or turnbuckles on the lower arms where I adjust them. )

Most top links have a lock nut. Once you have adjusted the length, tighten the lock nut against the center tube. That should prevent any changes while you are working.

By turnbuckles, do you mean sway adjusters or leveling adjusters (commonly called leveling boxes)?

Daffy · Sep 18, 2004

By turnbuckles I am refering to the piece that is connected to each lower link. On mine it is a long eye type bolt that is connected to the frame and screws into the "turnbuckle" which has another eyebolt attached to the lower arm. On the eyebolt nearest the lower arm is a nut.

On both the lower arm and the toplink I adjust them and then tighten the nut. However they all loosen very quickly. Maybe I need to use a bigger wrench to get more torque.

Jim_Fisher · Sep 18, 2004

Daffy,

( On both the lower arm and the toplink I adjust them and then tighten the nut. However they all loosen very quickly. Maybe I need to use a bigger wrench to get more torque. )

My sway arms are the telescoping kind and are locked in place by pins.

I've never used a wrench on my top link. I just run the nut in by hand and tighten against it using the adjusting handles. Not sure why yours loosens so easily.

A turnbuckle is essentially a rack and pinion. The pinion can move the rack but the rack can't move the pinion. Are you getting a lot of vibration?

RickNC · Sep 19, 2004

Daffy,

I have the same problem on my Kubota B7100. I use a piece of heavy fence wire that I run between the turn buckes and bend the ends back against themselves. It has worked for 20 years. Just be sure it doesn't interfere with the PTO drive shaft. Cheap - Effective - Easy to replace.

Bird · Sep 19, 2004

I always just tightened that jam nut with a crescent wrench. Hand tight would loosen by itself, but just good and snug with the wrench was all it took to make it stay on my B7100, and I did the same thing to the manual top link on both the B7100 and the B2710.

GaryM · Sep 20, 2004

The jam nut on my JD has a 1/4" dia pin weled to one of the flats. I hand tighten the nut and rap the pins with a wrench to "set" the nut in place.

Daffy · Sep 22, 2004

Thanks for the replys! I don't get abnormal vibration, but I tightened with a wrench and then used the wire suggestion as well and it is working. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif