Turnbuckle Play

kentrodngun · Oct 24, 2005

Hi all, I'm fairly new to the forum and wondered if anyone has issues with excessive turnbuckle play. I have an LK3054 and use a backblade, PTO powered chipper and a rotary mower all on a regular basis. My turnbuckles don't seem to be able to tighten up enough to avoid rubbing the wheels when turning. I've thought of buying shorter ones (mine are approx 12") but I figure something must be wrong since I don't see anyone else posting with a similar problem. By now, my tires have a few good chunks out of them. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, John

mathey · Oct 25, 2005

My CK20 was the same way...even in the shortest configuration, it had way too much play...not hitting the tires but it sure did a number on the inner fenders.

I ended up using the existing end mounts, some chain and threaded chain connectors. It not a tool-less adjustment, but its strong and seems to work well.

bncsauve · Oct 25, 2005

I have an LK2554. The adjusting chains are on the outside of the lift arms. (keeps them from coming together). There is nothing that keeps them from swinging into the tires when there is no implement in place. (no matter how short they were). When not using an implement, I loosely chain the lift arms together with the small chains that are attached to the arms to capture the lift pin pins.

George2615 · Oct 25, 2005

My rear arms are the same as yours (turnbuckles on outer or closest to tire side). My tractor came with a short black bungee cord hooked on each arm to keep them together with no implement on. I've never taken it off, leave it on all the time with or without implement on.

SpinyMouse · Oct 26, 2005

The black bungee that came with my 3054 keeps the arms from touching the tires.

I usually have an implement attached (even if it's just my log hauling frame, which is pretty light) in any case and that keeps them under control.

mathey · Oct 26, 2005

I'm pretty sure he was referring to side-to-side play when using an attachment...but I maybe wrong. Guess we'll have to wait for his return to clarify.

It happened once before /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

bncsauve · Oct 26, 2005

After re-reading his post, I think you're right.

My only suggestion for too much slop when attachments are mounted is to look at which holes on the lift arms are being used to lift and which are being used for the chains. He may be able to swap holes to attach sway chains out further on the arms

bncsauve · Oct 26, 2005

I forgot to add: I swapped the lift and sway attachment holes when I first got my tractor. The way it arrived, the lift arms wouldn't drop low enough to hook up to my RFM. I haven't had any problems with any attachments since. I haven't noticed a lack of lift power either.

kentrodngun · Nov 4, 2005

Hi guys, I've been away at my property receiving a number of building shipments for the last week. Only returned yesterday and checked the posts. To clarify, I was talking about excessive slop with attachments on. When nothing is on, I chain or bungee the arms together and do not have any problems with them hitting the tires. The comment about switching the lift and sway holes might help. I'll certainly give it a try. Alternate plans I guess would be to buy shorter turnbuckles or eliminate them and substitute lengths of chain. But again, one would think everyone with this machine would experience the same problem as I'm having so I still suspect something is amiss on my setup. Thanks to everyone for their suggestions.

KiotiJohn · Nov 8, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( But again, one would think everyone with this machine would experience the same problem as I'm having so I still suspect something is amiss on my setup. Thanks to everyone for their suggestions. )</font>
I hate to make an obvious observation, but I suspect you're simply not tightening the turnbuckles the proper way and locking down the nut so they maintain the tightness. Loosen the lock nut and turn the buckles till you have the attachment centered and with about one to two inches of sway, then tighten the lock nut down while holding onto the turnbuckle shaft. With a brush cutter, I don't allow any sway, but most everything else, I leave a one-two inch sway in. Those knuckles on the chain thread back and forth a good way, and you should be able to position them so that they don't have any sway that would hit the tires.
John