Top Link questions

[azhfl56]

Hello all,

I have a question. I have a new M6040 and was wondering if I somehow did something wrong to the toplink. When I first got the tractor the top link adjusted very easily, I could turn it with my bare hands. Now after doing some bush hogging, I can no longer adjust the top link by hand. When I removed the top link from the bush hog I could not turn it more than a half turn until it would bind. I then reconnected and used a wrench to turn it. Once I turned it about four times it seemed to get easier. What I noticed is that the end of the top link connected to the tractor turned with ease, the end connected to the bush hog, did not turn easily. This is with the top link disconnected. Is there something I could have done? Is this because it is new? Thanks,

Bryan

 

[RobJ]

Dirt and crap can get in there. But top links on bigger stuff can get bent pretty easy.

I bet one or the other.

 

[azhfl56]

Well there was some grass and what not on it, but I cleaned it off. No visible bending, but then again with threads, it would only have to be bent ever so slightly. What could I have done to bend it? Again the only think I have attached was a 6 foot bush hog. No problems with prior tractor, althought I did notice that I did not use the nut on the top link where it connects to the implement, (ie bush hog). I guess it would be called a stay nut or something similar. This nut was so different looking I did not recognize it until I noticed how hard things were to turn. Could not using this nut cause the top link to bend slightly? I think somehow I must have done something, but I can't figure it out. The stay nut I thought was used to keep the top link at the same length. Hmmmm... I just don't want to buy another just to do the same thing again. Any pointers? I have never had this problem with any other tractor I have used, but then again I have never used a tractor this size.

regards,

Bryan

 

[silverking]

Which toplink hole did you use? Is the pto shield scratched up or worse? Did you get on uneven ground and have the rear of the brushhog come up a bit too far?

Any one of those could cause it to be bent just enough to cause the problem, the good news is that tractor supply has a smooth a glass piece to replace it for about 25 bucks.

Replaced mine rather quickly because the factory piece was kinda wimpy,..............and well ok i bent it.

 

[azhfl56]

I will have to look into it. I was really careful. Don't know what top hole it is in. My ground is too flat to have caused the bush hog to come up too far. I thought maybe I missed some kind of adjustment. The top link still works, its just a bear to move. I will look at it more carefully tonight.

 

[JerryG]

I would be willing to bet that it is bent. I have bent several mowing rough strips of ground. That is why I went to a chain for a top link about four years ago.