3-Point Hitch BX 25 3PH question

rbarker · Sep 20, 2012

The 3ph kit finally came for my new BX25 yesterday and I set out to install it but ran into a problem. The pin that holds the link plate on the mounting rod doesn't go through the hole when installed from below as it appears in the picture. I am talking about the dual thickness pin that fastens with a hitch pin from the top. The fat part is supposed to go below the link plate to hold it onto the mounting shaft. It doesn't appear to be the hole because if I put the pin in from the top it fits fine (but doesn't secure the link plate). When I install it the way it should be the pin only goes about 2/3 of the way through the plate before binding. Has anyone encountered this? I keep thinking I must be doing something wrong but I'll be darned if I can figure out what.

Yooperman · Sep 20, 2012

You might try dismounting the mounting rod from the tractor and try mounting the link plate to it loose with the pin. It would also give you an opportunity to see better where the binding is occurring. Another thing that occurs to me is that dirt, metal filings, extra paint, etc might be in the "curl" of the link plate that keeps the mounting rod just forward enough to keep the pin from seating properly. Perhaps wrapping some sandpaper around the rod and running it through the curl of the plate would clear any obstacles. Just a thought. Of course, it could just be a bad fit.

uglyboywith11fingers · Sep 20, 2012

Sounds normal... Mine won't go in pushing it by hand... I push mine in and then give it a tap or two with a hammer or wrench from behind 'til it's seated, then put on the little hitch pin. Also needs a tap the other way to get it out again.

Pete

rbarker · Sep 20, 2012

Yooperman said:
You might try dismounting the mounting rod from the tractor and try mounting the link plate to it loose with the pin. It would also give you an opportunity to see better where the binding is occurring. Another thing that occurs to me is that dirt, metal filings, extra paint, etc might be in the "curl" of the link plate that keeps the mounting rod just forward enough to keep the pin from seating properly. Perhaps wrapping some sandpaper around the rod and running it through the curl of the plate would clear any obstacles. Just a thought. Of course, it could just be a bad fit.

Good suggestion, I did this today. The pin fits fine without the plate being mounted to the shaft so either the plate doesn't fit over the shaft quite the way it should or the hole was punched too close to the shaft. Upon closer inspection I don't see anything interfering with the shaft seating into the curl of the plate so I'm guessing that they messed up on the hole. I took a rat tail file and started working the hole but it's off enough so that it will take more than just cleaning out the paint and deburring The edges to get it to fit. I tried the other suggestion of a tap with a hammer but light tapping wasn't working and I didn't really want to start pounding it because I'm gonna want to take it back off. It's not going anywhere for now so when I take it off again I'll use some power tools and elongate the hole until it fits.

radioman · Sep 22, 2012

I got rid of my pin and threaded the hole. I use a bolt from the top instead so when I install it, I just turn bolt to tighten it and it holds everything in place. No need to use wrench or anything.

rbarker · Oct 1, 2012

Update for those who are interested. The tractor had to go back to the dealer for an unrelated problem and while it was there they changed the link plate which solved the problem. I'm guessing that the hole was drilled in the wrong place on the original plate.

Deano · Oct 2, 2012

Thanks for the update.

radioman · Oct 2, 2012

That is a interesting update- I can only wonder how in the world they drilled it in wrong place. Wish we had pics.

rbarker · Oct 2, 2012

radioman said:
That is a interesting update- I can only wonder how in the world they drilled it in wrong place. Wish we had pics.

I had planned to take some pictures but then the other problem happened and the tractor went back before I got around to it. The link plate was definitely replaced so either the hole was off or the mounting shaft didn't fit right in the groove. Either way it points to a defective link plate. It just seemed more likely to me that the hole would be miss drilled but I'm only guessing.