Help with 3-Point Hitch Adjustments [Kubota B3200]

[Forest_Man]

I am having a hard time adjusting the top link on my Kubota. I loosened up the locking nut but I was not able to turn the adjuster. I suspect these (2) screws on the adjuster could be also locking pins? Could someone tell me what these are and whether they need to be loosen up before attempting to adjust the top link?

 

[Gordon Gould]

I would say by the looks and top links I have seen that they are not original screws but put on by a previous owner as an extra lock. I would try loosening them. They will tighten into the jack screw if they are long enough.

gg

 

[garry1p]

Could be depth adjustments

 

[Forest_Man]

Could be depth adjustments

What does that mean or how would that be used?

 

[CH4Ohio]

Whether they are some kind of packing screws or DIY add-on set-screws, I don't know why anyone would use Phillips head screws or want to "jam" into the threads of a link like this. Just remove them and throw them away. They serve no purpose and will just cause wear on the threads of your link. The jam nut is the only "lock" that you need. Lube the top link up real well.

 

[Eagle1]

Not sure why but many Kubota top links have those screws. LInk for B3200 parts
Kubota Tractor B3200HSD K12000 3-Point Linkage (Top Link) | Kubota Tractor

 

[Roadworthy]

As long as we're guessing, they may be removed to verify grease is getting into the link. You could remove them and see if they're long enough to even contact the threads or if they just plug the holes.

 

[Gordon Gould]

Not sure why but many Kubota top links have those screws. LInk for B3200 parts
Kubota Tractor B3200HSD K12000 3-Point Linkage (Top Link) | Kubota Tractor
View attachment 878618

Never seen a TL with screws like that - never to old to learn. They are short and must be just for grease exit holes - when grease comes out that's enough type thing. I'm guessing now that one of the jack screws is bent ???? Take the top link off and see if one end is bound up.

gg

 

[CH4Ohio]

Not sure why but many Kubota top links have those screws. LInk for B3200 parts
Kubota Tractor B3200HSD K12000 3-Point Linkage (Top Link) | Kubota Tractor
View attachment 878618

Good catch! I jumped to conclusions when he said it wouldn't turn.

If those Phillips head screws are that short, he just needs to get some wrenches and get both ends of the top link apart in order to assess the situation. It must just be seized up or rusted up.

 

[dougtrr2]

I heard it is possible to actually bend the threaded portion of a top link if you put it in a bind. Then it becomes very hard to screw those threads in and out of the link. A close inspection might be in order.

Doug in SW IA

 

[Gordon Gould]

I heard it is possible to actually bend the threaded portion of a top link if you put it in a bind. Then it becomes very hard to screw those threads in and out of the link. A close inspection might be in order.

Doug in SW IA

Yes, I have done that.

gg

 

[Peter 315]

If you take those screws out and unscrew the ends there are pins that keep the ends from unscrewing all the way out . You can pull the pins out and unscrew the rods all the way out .

 

[Eagle1]

If you take those screws out and unscrew the ends there are pins that keep the ends from unscrewing all the way out . You can pull the pins out and unscrew the rods all the way out .

Now that would make sense.

 

[number two]

Always wondered what those screws were for!
Good Luck!

 

[oosik]

My Ford 1700 had a manual top link. It didn't have any grease zerks and it didn't have any "locking screws". To grease it - unscrew both ends - grease the threads liberally - reassemble. Simple and quick.

 

[Forest_Man]

If you take those screws out and unscrew the ends there are pins that keep the ends from unscrewing all the way out . You can pull the pins out and unscrew the rods all the way out .

Oh, I see it. They are for limiting the rod play but not for locking it place.

 

[Peter 315]

Oh, I see it. They are for limiting the rod play but not for locking it place.

Not really . The pins just keep the rods from unscrewing all the way out. If u take the screw out and turn the rod out u should see the pin its near the end .

 

[Peter 315]

Here you go........
Part Details | Coleman Equipment

 

[charlessenf]

Not sure why but many Kubota top links have those screws. LInk for B3200 parts
Kubota Tractor B3200HSD K12000 3-Point Linkage (Top Link) | Kubota Tractor
View attachment 878618

Wow! Someone looked it up! Everyone else hazarded a guesstimate.

The three most important words one might share (if one must share) when one doesn't actually know for certain are "I don't know."

Instead of "Just remove them and throw them away."

These are also a most valuable response from the min wage 'associate' in the big Box Store instead of several minutes of speculation wasting my time while they're paid to waste theirs.

I've a B-7800 and I do believe my top link has such screws. I suspect that they are simple caps to the sight holes there to allow one to see if grease has gotten to where it needs be. But I'd have to read my manual before concluding as much.

I would agree with those suggesting that screws long enough to contact the threaded portions of the top link would, if tightened nicely, screw up the threads of that part of the link they were intended to secure.

Removing the link might well facilitate the application of some penetrating lubricant, use of a vise to hold a part of it steady while attempting to 'free it up.' And removing those screws and looking into the voids might offer some insight into the sticky situation.

It might allow one to determine which of the ends were stuck - if not both, of course.

 

[Mudfarmer]

Top links get damaged (bent, nicked, stuck, rusted, corroded, etc.) and are relatively disposable. Toss it in your scrap pile and buy a generic replacement at any tractor store. Better yet replace it with a hydraulic top link