Word to the wise, don't lose any small parts on a Deere front hitch

[tomd999]

Hiya,

Was at the dealer today, stopped by to say hi mainly. While I was there I figured I would order a couple spare lower arm pins and a retainer plate for the front hitch because they look pretty easy to lose.

Now, keep in mind, that these pins are just about the same as a cat 0 top link pin with a groove instead of a shoulder on one end. (1/2" x 1-1/2") The retainer plate is a small 1/4" plate steel about (1-1/4 x 2") with 2 U shaped grooves and a slot for the lock pin.

The shocker was that the pins are priced at $94.00 each and the retainer plate is $121.00 :shocked: :confused2: If you do the math, to replace the 4 link pins and the 2 retainer plates, you will spend more than 50% of the cost of a complete front hitch kit... Simply mind boggling but it must make sense to some bean counter in some dark corner of corporate headquarters.

OK, soap box off

Tom

 

[creekbend]

Those are pretty high prices. Exorbitant would be a better choice of words. Is there any other source that you can buy the parts from instead of a JD dealer? Are there any after market sources that are designed to replace the original JD parts, that should be relatively cheaper in price? Just a thought. Good Luck.:tractor:

 

[fountain42]

a machine shop may make you a set for less then that?

 

[glc24]

Hi Tom
Is this the right hitch pic?
Which parts are they?


Greg

 

[tomd999]

Hiya,

Actually, I guess I forgot to mention what front hitch it is. It's the 3-point A-frame type for the 3x20 series.

I can't find the exploded diagram for it, maybe someone else is better than me and can post it.

Tom

 

[JDTank]

For that price, you'd feel better with yourself if you just ordered the entire kit and kept it as a spare!

 

[herd]

For that price, you'd feel better with yourself if you just ordered the entire kit and kept it as a spare!

Shoot, all that stuff is expensive at the Deere dealer. I bent the screw end on my top link, cost of replacement, just the screw end = $106.00. After market top link at TSC = $39.00.

Also, did not have a drawbar on tractor when I bought it, cost of drawbar at Deere dealer = $200.00.

Yeah, small stuff but not small prices.

 

[kansas john deere]

Thats why when you go to the counter they have seat for you to sit on.:thumbsup:

 

[teg]

That's ridiculous, who cares if you can get parts for a tractor *IF* you can not afford to buy them???

PS. How much per ounce are these???

 

[wdchyd]

Tom,

Curious, was it the dealer slightly north of you or southeast..??

I've seen the same troubles on alot of replacement parts.....seems as though when their sales for newer stuff doesn't fly then just go up on replacement parts....:confused2:

Best maybe to have spares made somewhere or paint them some SHOCKING color for visibility (just in case)

Thinking I'd speed up a repair on a hyd cyl, last year I went in to the JD Const Dealer (yellow deeres) north of us and had the old part (gland head) in hand for a hyd cyl off a JD 310 BH......The parts guy wanted a serial number for the machine (which I didn't have) and refused to look in the stockroom for the new part.....He said "What you are asking is impossible, and you'll never get a new part ANYWHERE without it".....

My reply: "When I get back to my shop, I'll make the doggone thing and your company won't make a single penny on it"

Three hours later, the part was done and the job was reassembled, I pocketed the $350 they would have charged me for the new part they were too lazy to look for.....:laughing:

When they think they are the only place to go, the prices have a tendency to grow....:confused2: