Rotary Cutter Lift arm

[Den44057]

Hi guys, I have a 1973 ford 3400 diesel and just purchased a new 5' rotary cutter for it.

I goofed everything up and the cutter does not lift strait, the left side is a little lower then the right which is the same problem I had with the old rotary cutter that came with it and you really couldn't get it level so the left side corner always wanted to dig into the ground.

I measured the lift arms from center to center and the one on the right is a half inch longer then the left side, would this be causing my problem?.

Thanks for any help in advance.

 

[MutantGenepool]

Hi guys, I have a 1973 ford 3400 diesel and just purchased a new 5' rotary cutter for it.

I goofed everything up and the cutter does not lift strait, the left side is a little lower then the right which is the same problem I had with the old rotary cutter that came with it and you really couldn't get it level so the left side corner always wanted to dig into the ground.

I measured the lift arms from center to center and the one on the right is a half inch longer then the left side, would this be causing my problem?.

Thanks for any help in advance.

Usually there is a Turnbuckle on one of the arms to adjust that arm height.

 

[Roadworthy]

You should indeed have a turnbuckle on one side. Adjust it so that the arms are the same length then tighten the jam nut (which it should also have) to hold the adjustment.

 

[i7win7]

Ford Leveling Box Assembly ENN569AA

Since it's a ford, it may have leveling box, turn crank to raise or lower right hand lift arm.

 

[Den44057]

I understand what you all are saying about the turnbuckle and I have done that, but the right lift arm from center of ball to center of ball is a half inch longer 32" 1/2 , the left lift arm is 32"

Should they both be the same exact length?

 

[John0829]

Apparently at some point someone replaced one of the lift arms with the wrong one, it will not make the implement do anything other than track slightly off center. The height adjustment should be adjusted with the leveling box that should be on the right lift arm. Just turn the handle

 

[Den44057]

John0829 you are correct that someone changed the right side lift arm. I did get it pretty much level but it does track to the right.
I ordered a new lift arm too fix that problem.
Thanks for the info.

 

[kthompson]

The longer arm will raise that side more than the shorter arm will. It has more leverage.

 

[CoyPatton]

I understand what you all are saying about the turnbuckle and I have done that, but the right lift arm from center of ball to center of ball is a half inch longer 32" 1/2 , the left lift arm is 32"

Should they both be the same exact length?

From your description, I wonder if there is a miscommunication of terminology going on.
Not everyone uses the same term for parts of the 3PH.
Personally, the LIFT ARMS are the ones high with the connection on the tractor near the tractor top link connection. Then there are the lift linkages, typically one a fixed length and one adjustable (turnbuckle probably the most common but a gear box with handle being common on Fords). These connect the lift arms to the lower arms that pivot at the tractor end connection on a ball type swivel connection and raise/lower the implement on the opposite end on the same ball type swivel.

Sorry for the length, but I at least want to define the terms I will use.

Base upon your reference to ball center to ball center measurements, I believe you are referring to the ‘lower arms’. If I am correct, yes the should be a match set installed in opposing orientations on the tractor. If they are of differing lengths, the geometry of the lift/lower will always change at a different height of the 3PH.
Is my assumption correct?
If so I can give you a short term fix, but recommend you take both to a New Holland dealer and try to match up one or the other. Or any number of farm stores will sell these in a similar length—Personally, I would buy a matched set a issues should be resolved assuming you set your linkages to the same length.

 

[skipperbrown]

On my NH which is a category 2, the left arm is adjustable without any implement hooked up. It is a set once and forget it. The arm on the right has a rachet style handle for on the fly adjustments. Maybe the left side can be adjusted?