X728 - front hitch - lock out pin question

[mikefamig]

I have an X728 tractor with a quick front end attachment and am learning to use my 47" snowblower with it. I understand that I should use a lock out pin to lock the angle movement of the attachment when using the snowblower so that you don't damage the drive shaft. Not having a lockout pin I made one in the lathe by turning a 3/4" shaft x 5.5" long and drilled a hole in each end similar to the John Deere part. My problem is that the pin will not drop all of the way into the hole that locks the attachment. Things don't line up well enough for the pin to fit. I've tried centering everything with the controls several times and the hole appears straight but just not straiht enough to get the pin in.

So am I missing something? Can anyone describe the JD pin to me and maybe give me some help here? Does it slip in easily or is it a general PIA? I'm considering turning the pin to a little smaller diameter or cutting a taper on one end to make it start easily. Any help?

Thanks in advance, Mike.

 

[arlen4720]

It is kind of a pain to get in there, but not impossible of course. You should have got a pin with either the blower or the quick hitch, I forgot which.

 

[mikefamig]

It is kind of a pain to get in there, but not impossible of course. You should have got a pin with either the blower or the quick hitch, I forgot which.

I bought both used and didn't get the pin. Is it a straight 3/4 pin?

Mike.

 

[arlen4720]

It is straight, but I don't know the diameter.

 

[glgeek]

So am I missing something? Can anyone describe the JD pin to me and maybe give me some help here? Does it slip in easily or is it a general PIA? I'm considering turning the pin to a little smaller diameter or cutting a taper on one end to make it start easily. Any help?

Thanks in advance, Mike.

Mike, is this what you are looking for?

it measures exactly .75" dia.
with the hitch laying on it back, the pin falls into the hole with no resistance.



ba

 

[bigtiller]

Release the pressure in the hoses and the hitch should be able to be moved by hand fairly easy.

 

[rtgt]

Are you trying to put the pin in with the blower attached / lifted? Mine was easier to put in if I remembered to do it after I took off the blade and before putting on the blower....

With nothing on the hitch and the pressure off of the hoses there was enough wiggle to drop the pin in pretty easy.

Just another thought - Have you checked for any burrs or irregular shape to the holes?

 

[mikefamig]

Are you trying to put the pin in with the blower attached / lifted? Mine was easier to put in if I remembered to do it after I took off the blade and before putting on the blower....

With nothing on the hitch and the pressure off of the hoses there was enough wiggle to drop the pin in pretty easy.

Just another thought - Have you checked for any burrs or irregular shape to the holes?

I finally got it together but it wasn't easy. I did some filing to smooth the bore and removed the snowblower so that I could manipulate the attachment and it finally went in but it seems to me that it shouldn't be so difficult. Most of the machine's fit and finish is excellent and this is kind of flaky but it works.

Mike.