3p hitch lower lift arm attachment bolts - replace with pins & clips?

[ning]

I've been wondering if I can replace the bolts that attach my 3ph's lower lift arms to the tractor with similarly-sized pins & clips, so installing or removing the 3ph parts would be a tool-less exercise, when swapping 3ph & backhoe (note that the backhoe hooks on to these bolts, too).

The other parts of the 3ph are all attached with hitch pins & clips - any reason not to swap the lower bolts for pins & clips too?

Tractor: Branson 3520H, if it matters.

 

[CincyFlyer]

I've been wondering if I can replace the bolts that attach my 3ph's lower lift arms to the tractor with similarly-sized pins & clips, so installing or removing the 3ph parts would be a tool-less exercise, when swapping 3ph & backhoe (note that the backhoe hooks on to these bolts, too).

The other parts of the 3ph are all attached with hitch pins & clips - any reason not to swap the lower bolts for pins & clips too?

Tractor: Branson 3520H, if it matters.

I certainly would, at least for 3-point operations. However, if the bolts actually tighten (don't rattle around) then you may need them for backhoe installation.

 

[RalphVa]

If you have a Tractor Supply or similar outfit near you, look at what they have. Bet they have something that'll work. I've changed out the pins and bolts on my JD's 3ph. The dealer often puts keeper pins in that are easily knocked out by brush. There are more secure ones, equally fast and easy to put on or off.

Ralph

 

[houska]

Sorry to awaken old thread, but wondering if you (or others) went ahead and did this?

On my Branson 4225H, the nut on one of these bolts loosened, and the screw thread got flattened as it moved around (but fortunately didn't drop). I'm trying to figure out if to replace it with another bolt or if a more convenient pin+clip would do. Like you, I also use a (Branson BH760) backhoe. So it's (currently) a 3 1/2" long 7/8" or 3/4" bolt with nut and washer, not a conventional lift arm pin.

Thanks!

 

[Tinhack]

Wow, I just bought a 1 3/8" wrench to get mine off for painting. I had to jump up and down on the wrench to loosen the nuts. You really think a pin and clip will work there? :confused2: As mentioned before, brush will pull clip out in nothing flat. Mine has special bolts that are stepped. They're about $60 each. One side had a locknut the other side had a lock washer and nut. They probably need to be tight for a reason.

 

[CoyPatton]

First I would suggest a new thread.
As opposed to using lynch pin clips or removal pins, buy a bunch of cotter pins and some extra washers if you go the pin route. Cotter pins twisted around pin will not be pulled out by brush, but unfortunately are susceptible to breaking when reused.
Not familiar with your setup on the Branson, but for a lock washer to work, it needs to be tight. Lock nuts or a royal pain to remove, but seldom work loose. If a lock nut is not hard to tight it needs to be replaced. If having issues with nuts backing off after torqued, try using a second nut as a jam nut.

 

[WranglerX]

One can always safety wire lynch pins, but not much you can do with "R" clips (hair pins).... I always have dozen or so length pre cut of mechanics wire (bailing wire) in tractor tool box for securing clevises and what ever...

Dale

 

[ning]

[OP here] I'd asked my dealer (Dave's in Red Bluff, CA) about this and while initially they said they thought it was doable, later I got a message:

We have had a hard time find the right pins that are like the bolts for hardness to support the backhoe without any doubt. I actually have a customer that found some pins and he said they ended up bending and he had to cut them to get them out. I do not believe we are able to get you an aftermarket pin knowing that it will work for sure.​

Given that I only occasionally swap mine, I declined to change for the moment, though I have doubts that the pins would be any more likely to bend with the backhoe than with a big piece of kit sitting on the back of a 3ph?

 

[houska]

[OP here] I'd asked my dealer (Dave's in Red Bluff, CA) about this and while initially they said they thought it was doable, later I got a message:

We have had a hard time find the right pins that are like the bolts for hardness to support the backhoe without any doubt. I actually have a customer that found some pins and he said they ended up bending and he had to cut them to get them out. I do not believe we are able to get you an aftermarket pin knowing that it will work for sure.​

Given that I only occasionally swap mine, I declined to change for the moment, though I have doubts that the pins would be any more likely to bend with the backhoe than with a big piece of kit sitting on the back of a 3ph?

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately, it makes (at least some) sense. While it depends on usage patterns, I can well imagine that banging rocks or digging up stumps *could* generate forces well beyond typical use of 3PH implements. Doing the calculation properly would need more engineering physics than I remember after a few decades, but bucket breakout force >> 3PH lifting capacity. And if you're fighting an ornery stump, your backhoe is essentially throwing your whole tractor's weight around with the hydraulics, while if you hit a boulder with a rotary cutter, at worst you'll lift the cutter and (hopefully) cut the shear pin.

I am somewhat surprised you can't get pins that *are* strong enough, but not that surprised that they might not be readily available, or it may be far too easy to get ones that *aren't*, even though they're the right size. Though for myself, I'll continue looking and if I find them, use the cheap pins for 3PH implements are reserve the specialized/expensive bolts for when I put the BH on.

 

[ning]

I'll continue looking and if I find them, use the cheap pins for 3PH implements are reserve the specialized/expensive bolts for when I put the BH on.

Please update and let us know what you try.
Thanks!