Lost bushings on TN 3-ph. with clip installed!

[fieldman12]

Has anyone lost one of cat-1 balls, also called bushings, were you attach an implement to the 3-ph. with the clip that is suppose to keep it from coming out still in place? The clip that holds it is not bent and the ball is suppose to be the correct one for the tractor. The dealer didn’t believe me when I told him I lost one so they charged me $17.00 for a new one. I went home and looked into this problem further to make sure I was not wrong. On both lower bars I can push the ball out easily with my finger with the clip properly in place. I think they may have drilled the hole that the clip goes into not close enough to the ball or it is possible that the groove that the ball is made to ride inside of is machined to big allowing the ball when turned properly to move enough away from the clip and slide out. It looks easier to remove both lower arms than to try to drive the pressed pins out on both sides that keeps the ball arms from coming out to far. What would you guys do to fix this? The tractor is a TN70 with 25 hours. Would it be better to have the dealer come and look at it, even though they are an hour away? The problem is not a big deal, but I think it is silly that I could loose one of these again in the future and might have to pay 17 more dollars.

P.S. I also looked at a few TN tractors on dealer lot and none of the balls would come out with the clip installed.

Thank you,

Fieldman12

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I have never had that problem. I have a TN65 with over 300 hours right now and without being able to look at your lift arms I would have no idea. Talk to the dealer again and see if he will come out and look at it. Also let us know what you find out in case it does happen to another one of the TN's,

 

[bgott]

That's probably why they ship them dipped in paint.