Rake EA Rock Rake, hydraulic top link interference problem.

[joea99]

Got an EA rock rake a year or so ago. We are all aware of the calamity, so no need to go there.

From the git-go, I found there was an issue with the top link mounting design. Otherwise no complaints. Well other that the "special orange paint job".

Issue is the Kubota (Gannon) hydraulic top link for my B21 has such a large gusset welded on the "eye" that it interferes with the bolt/bush/spacer on the rake, preventing any real motion. EA was "interested" but had no solutions and offered zero help, only talk.

I let it go as the manual top link worked fine and, well, it was only a rake. But now, as I have a need to swap between a box blade/scraper and the rake, often, as it look right now, the extra work to swap the top link around will be a PITA.

So, I have options.

- grind down the gusset on the top link. Not a favorite as there is a LOT of steel to remove and, well, the did it for a reason. I guess.
- move the bush/spacer by drilling a new hole closer to the center or end of the top link bracket, weld up (or leave alone) the old hole.
- just swap the position of the bolt and the top link hole. Not sure that will work, really but it would be quick enough to try.

What do you folks say?

 

[ptsg]

I think I would drill the hole for the bolt lower rather than grinding on the top link, even though there is plenty of meat there. Or simply swap the bolt to the top hole and use the bottom hole for the top link.

Looking closer, not even sure if the bolt is needed since there is a small plate welded that connects both Z shaped bars together. Almost looks like that bolt and spacer was meant for those QH but could be wrong.

 

[Rustyiron]

It looks like that bolt is just sleeve over the bolt and possibly loose - independent of the bolt.
I understand that removing it and replacing just the bolt that it will only be work in one direction (that I agree with PTSG to its questionable purpose) but that might provide enough clearance without permanently altering the rake.

 

[Xfaxman]

I vote for removing the bolt and sleeve.

 

[joea99]

I moved the bolt and "eyeball" suggests it will work. It's just a bolt and nut through a sleeve. I think it is there to help "hold open" the U shape where the top link eye mounts. I suppose a custom bush for the eye or spacers to make it "tight in the channel" would do almost as much?

Never tried drilling or welding "hardox", so if this works OK I may leave it as is.

Not gonna try it tonight as it is late and thunderstorms are coming tomorrow, they say, if it rains as hard as predicted, I will probably need the box more than the rake to fix any road washouts.

Don't always have washouts, but, it's a convenient excuse to knock off for the day.

 

[mikester]

move the bush/spacer by drilling a new hole closer to the center or end of the top link bracket, weld up (or leave alone) the old hole.

 

[joea99]

It looks like that bolt is just sleeve over the bolt and possibly loose - independent of the bolt.
I understand that removing it and replacing just the bolt that it will only be work in one direction (that I agree with PTSG to its questionable purpose) but that might provide enough clearance without permanently altering the rake.

Well, the sleeve was not quite "loose" and required a fair bit of pounding to move.

Unfortunately, I was not smart enough to just tap it into the new position, but knocked it completely out.

Why does that matter? Because it would not go back in. The gap closed up a bit and I had to go dig out my HF "port-a-power" to widen the gap. Probably should have just left it out at that point as others suggested.

 

[joea99]

The weather held off so I mounted the rake having moved the bolt/sleeve.

No interference and it seems to work fine. Now if only the operator knew how to use it correctly . . .

 

[Rustyiron]

Patients, practice and prayers.

 

[Xfaxman]

The weather held off so I mounted the rake having moved the bolt/sleeve.

Need pictures of where it moved to please.