Keep Loosing Pins

beersngars · Jun 9, 2008

Started to do a little brush mowing last Saturday. It was 93+ degrees and not all that much fun. Well after about 5 laps around a 4 acre field I look back and see my Woods rotary mower a little crooked. I look at the other side and the main pin that attaches to the lower arms is gone. I walk back around the field and find the pin. Next I notice the rear most threaded part of the turnbuckle adjuster is bent. This is the second time I have bent one. Is there a better set-up out there? Are there better "hair pins" or "hitch pins" to avoid the problem? Also the turnbuckle style adjusters on the lower arms are kind of weak IMHO. Any better alternatives?

wushaw · Jun 9, 2008

You can use bolts although that would be a pain.

What are you doin to your turnbuckles? I keep my 835lb BB on the back of my L2800 95% of the time and have not had any issues yet.

beersngars · Jun 9, 2008

wushaw said:
You can use bolts although that would be a pain.

What are you doin to your turnbuckles? I keep my 835lb BB on the back of my L2800 95% of the time and have not had any issues yet.

Well I adjust them pretty tight so the arms don't swing over and chew into my tires. That may not be a problem on larger machines, but the L3400's are pretty narrow. There is probablt only an inch between them and the tires with the mower on.

Soundguy · Jun 9, 2008

They do make lynch pins with small holes inthe ends for hairpins. i instead use keyrings thru the holes.. you get a pin that virtually can't be snatched out accidentally.. yet can be removed in a few minutes with no tools other than a thumbnail..

soundguy

beersngars said:
Started to do a little brush mowing last Saturday. It was 93+ degrees and not all that much fun. Well after about 5 laps around a 4 acre field I look back and see my Woods rotary mower a little crooked. I look at the other side and the main pin that attaches to the lower arms is gone. I walk back around the field and find the pin. Next I notice the rear most threaded part of the turnbuckle adjuster is bent. This is the second time I have bent one. Is there a better set-up out there? Are there better "hair pins" or "hitch pins" to avoid the problem? Also the turnbuckle style adjusters on the lower arms are kind of weak IMHO. Any better alternatives?

wushaw · Jun 9, 2008

beersngars said:
Well I adjust them pretty tight so the arms don't swing over and chew into my tires. That may not be a problem on larger machines, but the L3400's are pretty narrow. There is probablt only an inch between them and the tires with the mower on.

The L2800/3400 is the same frame tractor. I have the same turnbuckles as you do.

I basically have the same clearance issues as you do but have never had any tire rubbing problem, I just make sure that the turnbuckles are not in a bind when the 3pt is fully up.

ctpres · Jun 10, 2008

May be another plus for QA/QH, my Land Pride takes everything but PHD and I have even mounted it just to see, but to chicken to try. Pretty much set & forget.

sunspot · Jun 10, 2008

Is this what you are loseing?
I seem to be doing than same thing lately.

beersngars · Jun 10, 2008

sunspot said:
Is this what you are loseing?
I seem to be doing than same thing lately.

Yep..those are the ones. I quit using the hair-pin type in favor of those in hopes of better results. I have no idea why they get away, but it sure is a bummer when they do.