New JD 3038e, busted the chains??

ericstac · Apr 13, 2009

I have a question for all the brilliant minds here.. I bought a 3038e last week and this Friday I was getting familiar with it doing some brush clearing/mowing with my rhino 160 and when I got off to switch out to the armstrong box blade I noticed one of the chains was missing. Now, this was a brand new machine and looking at it the eye where the link went to was so clean that I assumed it was left off, and I failed to check it when it was delivered.

So I rigged up something so I could try out the box blade and off I went. After an hour or so I noticed the box blade hitting the tire when the tractor was at a certain angle so I stopped and dumped the box blade. While taking it off the 3pt I noticed the other chain was now busted.

Sorry about the big pictures..

So what the heck am I doing that I can bust these thick chains? I told my dealer and they were in shock, they are coming out Wed. to put new ones on and check it out. I just need to know if I am doing something wrong or if it was just luck.

Other than that, it is a great machine!

AKfish · Apr 13, 2009

Glad you like your new tractor! Sorry to hear that you got a bit of a glitch with your 3pt, though.

Either the chain was pretty loose when you got started and just vibrated off - or the dealer didn't get the tractor prepped out completely. I'd say it was most likely the first scenario.

Without the chain link on the left side; the boxblade was tipping way off to the side into the tire - when that happens, the right side link can get tangled or kinked. If you raise the 3pt when the load is that unbalanced - you can bust the remaining link - really quick!!

If you really have to use the 3pt without a sway chain - lift the implement as high as the 3pt will lift - center the implement to the tractor; and wire the broken sway chain to the same length as the opposite chain.

Best of luck.

AKfish

greenmule · Apr 13, 2009

You want to have just a little slack in those sway chains when hog is lowered,not much but a little,if when hog is raised,and you center hog than tighten up chains tight,than when you lower it,they get just a littler tighter,[for some reason],than you don't have anygive,it might break chains.

nunyabinis · Apr 13, 2009

I'd say the first chain was left off by mistake since one-half of the assembly is completely gone. Seems that if one end or the other had broken it would still be attached at the other end, not missing entirely.

With one chain gone it allows the entire tph to swing wildly from side to side to gain momentum and once something starts moving it can build up a whole lot of kinetic energy which could be why the second chain broke.

Also, if you accidentally turned the tractor hard to the left with the box blade on the ground it could have ripped that second chain like that. I'm constantly having to remind myself to let a solid implement like your box blade get COMPLETELY off the ground before turning.

ericstac · Apr 14, 2009

nunya, thats what I thought when first looking at it but if you go look at your chains the piece that attaches to the eye on the lower arm is a solid link of chain. this means if the eye is on my tractor (which it is) then the link had to have been there.. the only thing I can think of is the link tore apart and then it unscrewed itself from vibrations??? It didn't rip out of the adjuster because the inner threads look new.

One thing I do know is it sure as heck sucks waiting for them to come look at it, my tractor is just itching for me to get back on her.

schmism · Apr 14, 2009

im glad i have rigid ones. no chain links to mess up.

dirt ditch · Apr 14, 2009

ericstac said:
the only thing I can think of is the link tore apart and then it unscrewed itself from vibrations??? It didn't rip out of the adjuster because the inner threads look new.

The sway linkage on my 790 is similar to yours but mine has a hole drilled through the turnbuckle about 1/4 inch from the end. When the sway linkage is properly adjusted a locking pin is inserted in the hole stopping any rotation of the turnbuckle. One time I did not replace one of the pins after readjusting the sway linkage for my ballast box from another implement. The turnbuckle unscrewed itself far enough that the lifting arm had just started rubbing the tire when I caught it. Now I have an imatch and don't have to mess with it.

ericstac · Apr 15, 2009

how does the imatch resolve having the chains? you still need them there for anti-sway right?

dirt ditch · Apr 15, 2009

Yes, the sway linkage is still there. I have the turnbuckles adjusted so my imatch is centered with the rear of the tractor. Works good for me.

ericstac · May 12, 2009

Did it again...

This time I figured it out. I was mowing the front field and came up on a low lying stump. As I past by it clearing it to my left I guess I turned a little and the rail of the mower hit the stump. Stopped me dead in my tracks and I heard a loud pop. Turned around and sure enough the chain was broken.

So is there an online source for this part to be shipped? The dealer had to order the parts last time so I figured I would just order them myself this time. And order a couple extra.