3-Point Hitch LS mt125 3 point "update"

[LS Tractor Owner]

Well, finally received the LS factory fix :thumbsup:for the 3 point issue (having to remove rear tire). Attached are pics of the parts. They allow the lower link / stabilizer bar to be easily removed or installed by loosening and / or removing 1 bolt. :cool2:
The stock lower brackets (drawbar) are removed and replaced. There are 2 spacers, and 2 "pins" (bar holder), and a new bar. The "pins", spacers, and bar are held in place with 1 bold on each side. There is a roll pin in each side of the "pins" to center the bar.

I have not been able to install it yet due to having knee surgery just 3 days ago. (Parts came day of surgery ) I will update with pics of the install when I can get to do it, hopefully in a couple of weeks.

There are individual part numbers as well as the "kit" number:
Kit: 20147916 Lower Link Kit - hinge - MT 1
Shaft-lower link- TRG896. #40369512
Spacer-lower link- TRG896. #40369430
Pin-lower link- TRG896. #40369516
There was no part numbers on the brackets

My dealer told me that LS is not considering this kit as a "fix" or "update", there is no "service bulletin" issued. The kit is listed as an "upgrade", available for purchase. He said LS initially wanted to charge $150, but lowered the price to $75. He wasn't sure what other dealers may charge for it. My dealer said they paid for it "because it was the right thing to do" and didn't charge me a thing.

 

[George2615]

Sounds like you have a great dealer.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Sounds like you have a great dealer.

Yes definitely! Considering they are 550 miles away, they could have just said 'deal with it'. When it comes time to get another tractor, I'll make the road trip again.

 

[Peter 315]

Very nice dealer:thumbsup:

 

[jdom84]

Very nice dealer:thumbsup:

I like that design much better then whats on the XJ. Even though you dont have to take the tire off, the bar cant be removed unless you do and the bracket only allows you to put 1 side on at a time then slide the bar all the way over to do the other... and the cotter pins get bent and fall out.

 

[mslisaj]

I'm gonna have to wait for you to heal to see this on the tractor to get the picture. I don't see where the black "L" brackets go. I know it's just me that can't picture this but I kind of get the idea but it will be interesting to see it on your machine. Thanks for posting the info and get well soon.
Lisa

 

[tomplum]

I like that design much better then whats on the XJ. Even though you dont have to take the tire off, the bar cant be removed unless you do and the bracket only allows you to put 1 side on at a time then slide the bar all the way over to do the other... and the cotter pins get bent and fall out.

? I'm confused . Have you had to take the bar off? I'm almost ready to put my slippers on and have a look.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

I'm gonna have to wait for you to heal to see this on the tractor to get the picture. I don't see where the black "L" brackets go. I know it's just me that can't picture this but I kind of get the idea but it will be interesting to see it on your machine. Thanks for posting the info and get well soon.
Lisa

They replace the existing "L" brackets that drop below where the 3 point is, they drop down and another piece (existing) is bolted across side to side horizontal, where you could mount a trailer ball. A big U mounted to the sides of the BH subframe.

 

[jdom84]

? I'm confused . Have you had to take the bar off? I'm almost ready to put my slippers on and have a look.

no never, dont think i will have a reason unless it gets bent or something... but its tough to slide all the way through both directions sometimes. Just saying, that idea seems pretty sweet for ease of getting the 3 point on and off. The pins getting bent and falling out is an issue though.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

? I'm confused . Have you had to take the bar off? I'm almost ready to put my slippers on and have a look.

This is a specific fix for th MT 125. In order to put on the 3 point arm and stabilizer brackets, you had to remove a tire in order to have enough clearance to slide the bar out enough to put the bars / brackets on. Same if you had to take them off in order to put the BH back on. This setup allows the 3 point hardware (arms, brackets) to be put on / off in a similar manner as your XJ. Instead of cotter pins on the bar, this has "cups" that are bolted to the side of the frame.

 

[mslisaj]

I get it now!! Thanks for the further explaination. Slick idea for sure and simple. Yes the roll pins could be an issue but that could be easily fixed but for an initial idea this is a winner. I don't use my three point that much if at all so not sure the upgrade is worth the cost to me but it is a nice work around.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

I get it now!! Thanks for the further explaination. Slick idea for sure and simple. Yes the roll pins could be an issue but that could be easily fixed but for an initial idea this is a winner. I don't use my three point that much if at all so not sure the upgrade is worth the cost to me but it is a nice work around.

This year will involve a lot of work for the tractor, switching between the BH and other implements. I will be building a new small home, putting in a drive, grading, trenching, mowing etc.. This fix was an essential fix for me.

 

[mslisaj]

Oh, don't get me wrong. If I was lucky enough to be able to work my tractor like you I would not only be smiling big but the "fix" would be esential. If LS sent this out as a fix I would gladly install it and look for work for the three point. But right now "the fix" is not worth buying for what ever the dealer will pass it on for. Truly their original design was extremely poor at best! This fix should be provided to all MT125 owners as it would be good advertisement for the machine as other users would be jealous of such a great machine with great features. As it is now if someone looked at my tractor and I told them how tough that three point is to get on and put into service it could drive a potential buyer to the other guys.

 

[tomplum]

This is a specific fix for th MT 125. In order to put on the 3 point arm and stabilizer brackets, you had to remove a tire in order to have enough clearance to slide the bar out enough to put the bars / brackets on. Same if you had to take them off in order to put the BH back on. This setup allows the 3 point hardware (arms, brackets) to be put on / off in a similar manner as your XJ. Instead of cotter pins on the bar, this has "cups" that are bolted to the side of the frame.

Thanks for the info. We leave the arms on when we hang the backhoe. I'll have to look closer. With the lower support on the XJ, the rear bracket is changed from stock.

 

[mslisaj]

Today I went into my LS dealer and asked about the "20147916 Lower Link Kit - Hinge - MT1" and they could not find it in the system. Do I have that number right? I know it's a new number but it was funny they couldn't find it. Just checking back with the forum.
Thanks for your help.

Lisa

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Yes, that is the correct number of the kit. I know my dealer would call LS in N. Carolina when he was working on getting the kit for me. It was also the same number when ryder7767 had first knowledge of it when they were initially designing it. Maybe your dealer didn't enter it right?

 

[mslisaj]

Thanks "LSmt125owner" for checking on this for me. After I posted this I got a call and while the dealer didn't find the "kit" number some how he found the individual pieces that you listed (did not have the individual numbers when I went in). Here is what he sent back to me:
40369512 lower link shaft need one @ $12.75
40369430 lower link spacer need two @ $16.98
40369516 pin need two @ $18.95 each
Total was $83.81 but the parts are factory back ordered and no ship date.

That price doesn't seem too bad and it's the factory fix. Would be nice if LS offered it as a "fix" to their lazy first design. We'll see what happens. And thanks again for the original post and pictures so now we all know how they fixed their original (lazy) poor design.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Thanks "LSmt125owner" for checking on this for me. After I posted this I got a call and while the dealer didn't find the "kit" number some how he found the individual pieces that you listed (did not have the individual numbers when I went in). Here is what he sent back to me:
40369512 lower link shaft need one @ $12.75
40369430 lower link spacer need two @ $16.98
40369516 pin need two @ $18.95 each
Total was $83.81 but the parts are factory back ordered and no ship date.

That price doesn't seem too bad and it's the factory fix. Would be nice if LS offered it as a "fix" to their lazy first design. We'll see what happens. And thanks again for the original post and pictures so now we all know how they fixed their original (lazy) poor design.

You don't need the spacers if you have the backhoe subframe in place. You would only need the lower link rod (I can't see why the original could not be cut down and made shorter) and the 2 "pins". I am going to be installing the kit today and post the results later today or tomorrow.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Well, update on the "kit", the new brackets are a necessary part of the fix. The original brackets have a sleeve welded onto them. The pins will not fit into the original brackets. The original sleeves could be cut out of the brackets, I would think, if needed to adapt them. There was no part number individually on the brackets, only the main kit number.
As the workability of the kit, loosen one bolt and the entire 3point assembly will come off, goes back on in about 30 seconds....much easier than taking off a tire!. I'll post some pics later this evening.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Figured I may as well post some pics now. Loosen one bolt (where I'm pointing), slide the "pin" out. Move the 3 point assembly towards that loose pin, and the assembly will come out. Installation is simply the reverse. I timed from loosening the bolt, installing the assembly, and tightening the bolt. Took 1 minute and 20 seconds. COOL DEAL! My tractor's 3 point is much, much easier to use for sure.:thumbsup::cool2: