On to the next.

[Hay Pirate]

Today when riding the wagon while stacking hay, the draw bar and PTO cover was kinda hanging lop sided. I told the driver to stop and shut off the PTO and I checked it out. 6 out of 8 bolts were missing on the entire hitch assembly! If I didn't notice that any earlier, we could have had some REAL damage.

The way this works is theres 8 bolts that bolt a box onto the back of my JD 5520. This Box covers the PTO and holds the drawbar assembly.

--*-----------*
----*---#----*
----*--------*
---*__________*

That's the bolt assembly, with the bolts as the '*', the PTO as the '#', the '-' are just spacers (not physically there, just making space for the illustration) and the drawbar as that line.
The red bolt snapped, leaving the other part still in there.
Another bolt, somewhere, tore the threads right out, the bolt was found with the threads still in the threads of the bolt.

Can I just go to my local super bolt store and pick up super strong Grade 8 bolts and replace them and go? Or this more serious than I think it is?

 

[Soundguy]

first, you'll have to remove that one broken one.

then.. the one that stripped out... If the casting is thick enough in that area.. I'd tap for the next larger standard size.. or helicoil back to original.. your choice. ( helicoil may take the least metal out.. but will also not be as strong as virgin threads.. however.. again.. the casting in that area may not be thick enough to drill out and tap next larger size.. so a helicoil kitmay be the ticket.. plus oem bolt sizes will work, and you won't have to drill out the hole larger int the bracket for that one. Also.. you may want to make that one bolt a stud instead, and threadlock it into place with permanent thread locker once you helicoil it.

My only fear for that reapir would be that I'd get into the internal sump and then have a sealing problem if it was below the oil mark... thus.. if you think the metal is thin.. consider helicoil..

After addressing those 2 issues.. i'd chase the holes to make sure they were claen then drop in new bolts. Assuming the holes are blind, be carefull about bolt length, etc.

Perhaps use a lock washer on them as well.. maybee even some thread locker.. etc..

Soundguy

 

[RickB]

Those bolts may be metric; be sure you buy the right size/thread pitch. Forget the lock washers; use a thread locking compound. Bolts with serrated flange heads and either grade 8 or 10.5 if metric would be my choice.