Lower Link bent

[JonM]

I was using the tractor too move some dirt piles and noticed the scoop was at an odd angle. Closer look and then I saw it. The lower link was bent. This steel on the link is 5/8" thick and it bent. I'll take it to work and see if it can heated up with a torch and straightened out. If not, I'll stop at the dealer after work.

 

[JonM]

Another picture of the links removed from the tractor.

 

[johnday]

JonM; Any idea on how that happened? /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gifYou might be better off buying a new link. I believe heating it up to bend back in shape would probably weaken the metal. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[tawilson]

I bent mine and used heat plus some press tricks. Been abused lots since with no problem. Best to get it pressed with no heat if you can. I figure I'd rather deal with a bent link than have something else break.

 

[PineRidge]

That arm looks like a pretzel. Might you have bent the arm by pushing in reverse at some point in time? It almost looks like that how the forces bent the arm like your picture shows.

While quite strong otherwise, the 3-point geometry is not made to withstand pushing forces in reverse.

 

[frank_f15]

how did one link bend so badly without bending the other? or damaging the implement. not sure if i would heat it and TRY and straighen it. don't think you will ever get it back to the right position. if i was you (which i am not) i think i might just get a new one.

 

[jinman]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I was using the tractor too move some dirt piles and noticed the scoop was at an odd angle. Closer look and then I saw it. The lower link was bent. This steel on the link is 5/8" thick and it bent. I'll take it to work and see if it can heated up with a torch and straightened out. If not, I'll stop at the dealer after work. )</font>

Jon, you must have had your dirt-scoop reversed and been backing into your pile of dirt. With that geometry and all four wheels pushing, your turfs must produce a lot of power. Obviously, your links can't take that, so when you get them straight, you might consider adding some additional bracing.

I bent the right link on my tractor when it was new. It turns out that New Holland had a bulletin out that said the metal was too soft on the original arms and they replaced them for me free of charge. Since then, I've not had a problem. Of course, I also haven't lifted the end of anymore 40 ft containers either. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

(see attachment)

 

[normde2001]

That's a prime example of what can happen when one uses a boxblade/dirt scoop in reverse, 3 point hitches are not meant for pushing. A good $100, 20 ton Chinese built shop press would straighten that right out.

 

[Soundguy]

Shazam that's bent like a pretzle. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

I'd chalk that one up as dead.. If you do bent id back.. weld a gusset to it.

Soundguy

 

[Syncro]

My old Ford 4000 was used as a fiinish grading tractor on job sites and quite often I'd slam a 72" Gannon into a dirt pile at full throttle in reverse with never a problem. What made the difference was that the 3 pt arms had 2 additional braces attached under the wheel axels which formed a triangle on each side of the lower links. I guess those extra arms kept things straight as the arms themselves weren't all that thick, I'd guess ~ 1/2".

 

[JonM]

Decided to get a new one. Stopped at the dealer and ordered one. It will be in friday and was only $68. I'll just leave the dirt pile until the weekend. Time to mow, at least I can still do that.

 

[beenthere]

Jon
From the pic you showed, it looks like the tightening turnbuckle was not attached to that side arm, or did it bend with it hooked up? They are more meant for lifting and pulling, than pushing, but things happen.

If it was hooked up, I would suggest a milder form of use, or it will be another $68. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[Catmando]

It looks to me like it bent because it was picking up too much weight. If you notice it is also twisted some. That is an indication that it was the weight. The arms are bent so that they have the proper spacing on the tool end for the catagory that they are. This causes a somewhat eccentric load on the arms.

 

[PineRidge]

Jon the guys are asking you how you were using it when the damage occurred not to make fun of how you bent the arm but to learn so that it doesn't happen to them in the future.

I don't think that you have ever said exactly how you were using the scoop but we are assuming that it was being used in the reverse configuration when you noticed that the damage had been done.

 

[SCB]

Mine looked just like that from hitting a stump in reverse while pushing dirt.

 

[JonM]

I was using it in the reverse position, won't work the other way with the BX2200. I got to the point where I had to hit the pile to one side to knock it down so I could scoop it up. That dirt is kind of wet and heavier than I thought. The tractor was in 4wd and slow/"turtle" speed with the throttle close to full. I'll go a little easier in the future.

 

[beenthere]

Can't say you didn't have plenty (or at least enough) power. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Was everything hooked up when you found it bent and draggin on one side? ie the turnbuckle and the lower pins?

 

[JonM]

Yeah, I had enough power, now I realize it!

Everything was hooked up and tight. The pictures show after we started to take it all apart to get the links out.

 

[PineRidge]

Jon from time to time admittedly I have used our box blade to push or smooth dirt while backing.

But knowing the extra forces that are generated on the 3-point I have always gone slow, didn't hog the blade, and knew beforehand that there weren't any hidden surprises waiting for me to hit.

Still things do happen pretty fast and sometimes without much warning. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif