Replaced turnbuckles with telescopic stabilizers

Baby Grand · Sep 29, 2012

Just replaced the turnbuckles on our B5100 with telescopic stabilizers from StabilWorks:

StabilWorks

The installation took about 20 minutes and they are a huge improvement.
Hitching an attachment is much faster now. I had considered Pat's, but didn't want to move the mounting point any further aft.
Our B5100 can only manage a little over 300 lbs on the 3 point and we have a 40" tiller that it just manages with the present geometry.

Mark was very helpful and warned that I might have to trim the PTO guard a bit (it's close, but so far no clash).
I highly recommend these as a very affordable upgrade to anyone who frequently changes implements and wants to preserve their present hitch geometry. Cast off the turnbuckles of oppression!

Jim

naildriver111 · Sep 29, 2012

I just installed mine yesterday, It's the best money I've spent on my little B7200. Mark is very helpful and make's a great product.

JOHNTHOMAS · Sep 30, 2012

Is there a reason no one gives the price they paid for the actual one they rec'd? I hate calling for a price and finding out something is about 5 times more than I'll pay and that's always my assumption when a seller doesn't give a price or even a price range so I just move on.

savageactor7 · Sep 30, 2012

thanks for the reminder BG...I've been wanting to trim back the PTO guard for some time now but somethings else always comes up. Good luck with the telescopic stabilizers

kcender · Sep 30, 2012

Looks good.As I mentioned in another thread I made a set for my BX 2360 and find them to be a definite improvement over the turnbuckles.Just curious what the tab is for on each one?

Baby Grand · Sep 30, 2012

kcender said:
Looks good.As I mentioned in another thread I made a set for my BX 2360 and find them to be a definite improvement over the turnbuckles.Just curious what the tab is for on each one?

The tabs are parking spots for the pins while you are adjusting the length so you don't drop them.
I paid $131 for the set, which included shipping.
Very reasonable price for a well made, hand built product that works right.
I thought about making my own, but couldn't find exactly the steel sections that I wanted and knew that there would be a lot of trial and error to get everything just right - there isn't much room in that area on the B5100.

naildriver111 · Sep 30, 2012

JOHNTHOMAS said:
Is there a reason no one gives the price they paid for the actual one they rec'd? I hate calling for a price and finding out something is about 5 times more than I'll pay and that's always my assumption when a seller doesn't give a price or even a price range so I just move on.

I also paid $131 to my door.

94BULLITT · Sep 30, 2012

I have seen him have them listed on craigslist.

JOHNTHOMAS · Sep 30, 2012

Baby Grand said:
The tabs are parking spots for the pins while you are adjusting the length so you don't drop them.
I paid $131 for the set, which included shipping.
Very reasonable price for a well made, hand built product that works right.
I thought about making my own, but couldn't find exactly the steel sections that I wanted and knew that there would be a lot of trial and error to get everything just right - there isn't much room in that area on the B5100.

Thanks for the price. Seems reasonable for those of us that don't weld. Not cheap but reasonable. Also thanks Naildriver, TBN is not functioning properly and couldn't add your to the same reply.

hodge · Oct 22, 2012

I can answer that. I build three different sizes, to suit the owners tractor size and needs. Within those three sizes, there are often differences in tractors, which leads each set to be custom made. So, I price them based on the size, in addition to unique needs. In most cases, the prices are the same- $120 plus shipping for a small set, $130 plus for a medium set, and $140 plus for a large set. That is standard- in 98% of the cases, that price never changes. I use flat rate shipping, so there aren't variations in the shipping price, unless the customer lives outside the continental US. If a customer needs heim joints, etc., or if the set is excessively long (more material), I charge extra for that. But, I only charge the hardware/material difference, because the labor is about the same. So, when a customer contacts me with their needs, I give them a price then, and it doesn't change at that point. If I miscalculate, I absort it, not the customer.

TripleR · Oct 22, 2012

I have two sets on the way for my BX's, it will be a welcome improvement and Mark is great to work with.:thumbsup:

gwdixon · Oct 22, 2012

TripleR said:
I have two sets on the way for my BX's, it will be a welcome improvement and Mark is great to work with.:thumbsup:

Have to agree.

My set for the BX2200 is due to arrive today or tomorrow. I agree, Mark (screen name "hodge") has great communication, sends photos of your set(s), and keeps up with e-mail.

Edit: The set did arrive today. Very well packaged, clear indication of what goes where, and well made and finished. Welds look good. It will last the life of the tractor. It is obvious that Mark takes pride in his work.

Installation tomorrow (weather permitting).

aczlan · Oct 22, 2012

TripleR said:
I have two sets on the way for my BX's, it will be a welcome improvement and Mark is great to work with.:thumbsup:

Thanks to this thread, I got a set to put on our B7500. Great communication from Mark and they were exactly as described. One note, the tab is no longer on there (unless you request it), he now just uses a short chain.
Installed on both sides with an old turnbuckle on top for comparison:

Closeup of the one on the right side:

Installation was simple, I cut the turnbuckle link off of the tractor end, pinned the stabilizer in its place, unbolted the other end of the turnbuckle from the lower arm and bolted the new bracket into place. I think it took ~30 minutes INCLUDING driving the tractor to my inlaws, getting out the tools and putting them back away. I am very happy with them.
They will help keep the trailer from jamming up on the lower arms and will make attaching implements a much easier exercise.

Aaron Z

CHDinCT · Oct 22, 2012

Hmm, would anyone with a BX have a pic and/or the open and closed lengths for the StabilWorks stabilizers? Thanks in advance.

TripleR · Oct 22, 2012

CHDinCT said:
Hmm, would anyone with a BX have a pic and/or the open and closed lengths for the StabilWorks stabilizers? Thanks in advance.

Don't have mine on yet, but will post pictures when I do if no one else shows up with one.

hodge · Oct 22, 2012

Chris, a BX25? I haven't built a set yet for a 25, but I build them for a span of 13"-16", pin to pin, for other BX models (the 25 should be the same). That is the sweep of the lift arm- they will open farther than 16". I will post a photobucket link of a BX stabilizer.
A standard set for a BX2360-
BX2360001.jpg picture by br549_red - Photobucket

A custom set with heim joint, BX2360-
BX2360custom001-1.jpg picture by br549_red - Photobucket

Mark
By the way, the sets in the photos aren't painted yet. I prime and paint them before shipping.

hodge · Oct 22, 2012

TripleR, did yours show up yet?

TripleR · Oct 22, 2012

hodge said:
TripleR, did yours show up yet?

Yes, they got here this afternoon, thanks.

gwdixon · Oct 23, 2012

CHDinCT said:
Hmm, would anyone with a BX have a pic and/or the open and closed lengths for the StabilWorks stabilizers? Thanks in advance.

Not sure if this is relevant, but for the BX2200 the stabilizers open and close far enough to span the full adjustable width of the lift arms. In other words, the lift arms run out of adjustment in narrowness and greatest width before the stabilizers do.

Due to the variety of hole placements there are many, many adjustment choices between the two extremes. The stbilizers will work great on my variety of implements, some homemade, that have different pin widths.

CHDinCT · Oct 23, 2012

hodge said:
Chris, a BX25? I haven't built a set yet for a 25, but I build them for a span of 13"-16", pin to pin, for other BX models (the 25 should be the same). That is the sweep of the lift arm- they will open farther than 16". I will post a photobucket link of a BX stabilizer.
A standard set for a BX2360-
BX2360001.jpg picture by br549_red - Photobucket

A custom set with heim joint, BX2360-
BX2360custom001-1.jpg picture by br549_red - Photobucket

Mark
By the way, the sets in the photos aren't painted yet. I prime and paint them before shipping.

Thanks Mark. Will have to take some measurements tomorrow but a set of these will likely go on my want list. Seems I'm adding to the "want" list faster than I can fiscally obtain what's already on it. Got's to plant me one of those money trees one of these days. :laughing: