X Series Front Hitch Questions

[awlchu]

I just received my front blade, front hitch and angle unit for my X595. Nice equipment,

Some newbee questions:

- During the off season do you store the front hitch attached to the blade (as one unit) or separate them and store separately? I was thinking about recycling a motorcycle lift (the four-bar linkage variety) and build a custom wood platform to keep the unit horizontal, then roll it away for Summer storage. Does anyone else do this with their blade/hitch unit?

- I noticed on the hitch the top cylindrical cross member (the large 2inch dia) is welded completely around its circumference at both ends. The member has no drain holes to let condensation and air circulate... that I can see.... Has anyone have any problems with it. Seems like an ideal pocket for internal rusting to occur!

 

[glagen]

I take the hitch off and store it in the corner of the garage. Never noticed a problem with hitch after 2 winters of use.
Steve Z

 

[beenthere]

I don't do anything special for storage of my front hitch.

(Except I did weld another set of 'ears' on it to move the lift cylinder over and get full float, rather than 'float with some downpressure' that comes with the X series. Sure makes a world of difference when using the front 54" blade).

 

[Dutch445]

What do you mean by your modification?
Is there any way you can send a pic so we see what you mean?
It's the first I've heard of the hitch not having true "float"..

thanks,
/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[beenthere]

There is a 'fix' by Deere that suggests (because there is so much down force on the blade even in float) that wheel weights should be added to assist steering. Give me a break.

The problem exists when the x series had a hydraulic cooler change, that made the float act this way.

The new ears are welded such that there is a slot in the lower ones that allow the ram to travel full throw without pressure on the blade.

 

[Dutch445]

I guess I don't have that problem with my 445....

 

[cef2lion]

Before I remove the hitch on my 455 I set the lift and angle cylinders so the shiny part of the shaft is not exposed. Thought it might help to prevent corrosion.

Craig

 

[KB9R]

Hi Dutch445,

Here is my attempt at negating the down force. I installed a spring in parallel with the cylinder. It works well enough to make the front blade usuable on my large concrete drive. Without it, the shoes would wear out in a short time (actually I couldn't stand the skreeeeeching sound!). I have used this arrangement 2 years now here in Wisconsin. I can't remember where the spring came from other than it is John Deere Garden equipment and is 8" long eye to eye and is 1 1/2" diameter.

Joe

 

[awlchu]

Joe,

It looks like most ofthe parts are "off the shelf" except for the top spring mount. It appears to be machined.

Is the bottom mount machined too? Some close-up pictures would be great!

 

[KB9R]

I didn't want to make any welds or mods if I could help it during the experiments. So what I did is simply replace the bolts that hold the cylinder with longer high grade bolts. I made the spacers out of steel bushing material (thick pipe) and then used some brackets to prevent the springs from coming dislodged. I think I used the nylock type of nuts. Intially I used 2 springs (that is why there are spacers on both sides of the cylinder) but that over corrected the settup. Hope that helps.

Joe