I did basically the same damage when I was a complete newbie to tractor's/loaders, etc. with my DK-35se/HST. I pretzeled the '1/2 moon' linkages the first time. Dealer replaced at his cost to me, and we beefed them up with an added weld on plate. I soon started bending them again, then decided to trade up to the DK-40se/HST, for greater loader capacity, and after 700+ hours I have caused no similar damage.
My damage was from back-dragging too, sometimes with the loader bucket edge at 90-1?? degrees, (past vertical). I would also allow the front wheels to raise off the ground, DUH! to add to my errors, at the time thinking I had a tank with front loader attached. I've since mended my ways.:confused3:
Sometimes the solution IS to go bigger or go home. I paid for my mistake at trade in, less than a year old, BUT I definitely needed the bigger capacity in the end. I'd be looking at a 60+HP now but it wouldn't fit in my barn doors height-wise.
BTW, good luck with the repairs - you caught it before it really broke. :thumbsup: