Stiff 3PT Lift Arm Sockets?

Mayhem · Mar 14, 2005

For lack of a better description the implement end of my 3PT hitch arms where the balls are. They move very hard and make mounting equipment very difficult.Has anyone got an idea on how to free these up? I have tried lube with a ton of ELBOW grease, but they just won't free up. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

44trxfun · Mar 14, 2005

I haven't tried it myself, but I wonder if some dry graphite would help???

RickNC · Mar 14, 2005

Just be patient. They will eventually free up. Just keep them lubed with light oil, and keep a piece of pipe around to rotate them into position. The oil will attract dust and dirt and create a little play in the balls eventually. Also, there may be some paint on the balls that are causing them to be difficult to move.

Best of luck.

MarkLeininger · Mar 14, 2005

Every time I grease I splooge a little on those balls and wiggle them around. Now that the grease is worked in it keeps the water and ice out so the rust thing doesn't bind it up. At first I used WD40 on them because mine were stuck too. The WD40 worked to get them loose.

btolle · Mar 14, 2005

I have started using silicone lubricant for a lot of things. It doesn't seem to attract as much dust as WD40 and it is very slick. Perhaps some silicone to get them freed up a bit and then a light coat of grease now and then to keep them loose.

Bill Tolle

Stef · Mar 14, 2005

I removed the paint with a grinder equiped with a cotton pad and I put some grease on the balls. Now the balls rotate freely and it's a child play to connect implements. It took me about 15 minutes to do the job and now it works very well.

Mayhem · Mar 14, 2005

Man I've lubricated and wiggled till the cows came home and they just won't loosen. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif The balls are clean and shiney,not sure what the inside of the arm looks like.I'm going to keep lubricating them and working them around,but boy it makes it hard puting equipment on and off.
/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

jhbusa · Mar 14, 2005

Mayhem,

Mine were new and stiff too. I got mine loose by spraying a ton of wd40 then inserting one end of a strong, long metal rod. A contractors stake that holds carpenter string works great. Hold one end of the rod (3ft or more) and move in a figure 8 pattern. They loosen up quick. The paint comes off with the friction and the WD40. Of course the balls / arms must be secured to something. I used this with other implement / ball attachements including the hydralic cylinder balls with great success.

ges · Mar 14, 2005

sent you a PM

stevenf · Mar 14, 2005

Mayhem, mine were very stiff to the point I could barely shift them with a loose cat2 pin. Somebody suggested PB Blaster and it sure has worked well for me. So well in fact that now when I put my cat 1 bushings in to hook up smaller implements I have a tough time keeping them from rotating and dropping my freshly cleaned ready to go bushings in the dirt. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Steve