MX8 cutter snapping stabilizer bars?

[beefeater]

Hi gents,

I am running an MX8 semi-mount cutter on my 4720. I have snapped 3 stabilizer bars on the 3 point hitch in a few short outings. Most recently it happened just cutting some grass in an open, but hilly, field.

The 4720 is rated to pull this beast, but I now wonder if the 3 point hitch is too frail for the task of lugging this thing around the fields. The tractor/motor have no problems pulling/powering the MX8, even up and down fairly steep inclines.

Any ideas/suggestions? Can I find any stronger replacement stabilizer bars from another manufacturer? The Deere models are brittle cast metal. It doesn't bend at all, it just snaps in two. That may be by design?

I run about 3.5 to 4 mph max. Cut height is about 5 inches off the ground. Rear cutter wheels are set all the way down to "float".

 

[AKfish]

Hi gents,

I am running an MX8 semi-mount cutter on my 4720. I have snapped 3 stabilizer bars on the 3 point hitch in a few short outings. Most recently it happened just cutting some grass in an open, but hilly, field.

The 4720 is rated to pull this beast, but I now wonder if the 3 point hitch is too frail for the task of lugging this thing around the fields. The tractor/motor have no problems pulling/powering the MX8, even up and down fairly steep inclines.

Any ideas/suggestions? Can I find any stronger replacement stabilizer bars from another manufacturer? The Deere models are brittle cast metal. It doesn't bend at all, it just snaps in two. That may be by design?

I run about 3.5 to 4 mph max. Cut height is about 5 inches off the ground. Rear cutter wheels are set all the way down to "float".

Replacing those arms is gonna start "adding up"...

The MX8 is a pretty heavy beast! And if I'm not mistaken - the beauty of the semi-mount is to remove quite a bit of that weight off the tractor 3pt.

Seems to me if the rear support wheels are set to float and the 3pt is held to 5 inches or so, that the tractor is shouldering most of the weight.

I'd try to set the wheels in a fixed position (3"-4") and cut a few strips to see if that gives a good cut as well as shifts some of the mower weight off of the 3pt.

AKfish

 

[beefeater]

AKfish,

You may be right, now that I think about what you said. I was running it with the rear wheels down a bit when I first got it for some rear lift, but they tended to dig up the field when I turned. At least the stabilizers didn't snap in half though.

New bars are on order. So it'll have to wait.

 

[Bliz]

I had a 4720 with an MX7 and I had the same thing happen. Mine would bend all the time and finally broke. I traded my 4720 for a 6115D so I never really had a solution. You might try the I bolts with the turn-buckle type stabilizers from one of the larger model tractors. Let us know how you make out.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Do they have a position which is an elongated slot? If so, try it. Are you backing up a bunch? A bunch of old day tractors don't even have stabilizers. It will still follow you fine with the elongated slots. Just a little loosy goosy.

 

[jenkinsph]

I don't have much trouble with my tail wheel on the MX6 and would think the weight on an MX8 with two tail wheels should have less load per tailwheel. You might wan't to check the swivels under load to make sure they turn easily. If they bind at all it would put very high loads on your hitch when you turn. Unless the ground is real soft the tailwheels shouldn't mark too much. Conversely if they are not tracking the turns properly as mentioned above they would mark the ground pretty bad.



Steve

 

[beefeater]

Bliz,

I think the larger, heavier duty turnbuckle style stabilizers would definetly be better, but I don't think they will fit on the smaller 4720 3 point fittings?

Kyle,

They snapped with no backing up at all. This was all relatively slow, easy open hayfield mowing. Fairly steep hills though. The adjustable stabilizer bars do have an elongated slot I could try. The MX8 definetly needs some stabilizing as without them, it is all over the place.

Steve,

Good suggestions. I'll check that out as well.

I really hope I can get this worked out. This is an awesome combo when it is working. Small bushes, trees and hay have no chance, and the cut quality on grass is excellent. I really like the 8 ft cut width as well!

 

[RogerH]

It seems that John Deere changed the 4000 series stabilizer bars from a flat bar to a round bar in the last year. It looks beafier to me. Perhaps your new parts will be this way and will help solve your problem.

 

[beefeater]

Roger,

Thanks for that update. My 4720 was last year's model and does have the old style flat/rectangular gold painted, cast metal, adjustable sway bars.

I will put a call in to my dealer to check on these new ?tougher round ones. No sense getting the old ones, if there are new ones to be had.

Do you have any further info on these new round stabilizer bars? Are they cast metal? Are they heavier duty looking?

Any pics on the net anywhere to check out?

Thanks!

 

[beefeater]

Update,

I just checked this out at JD's new parts catalog for the 4720.

Roger is absolutely correct. There are new round stabilizer bars now available. Part 26B male and 27B female. Apparently, these were new for tractors SN H370035 and up.

Put a call in to my dealer. He was on the ball and had ordered the new set of the round bars. Hopefully, these guys will be up to the task.

 

[RogerH]

I didn't really closely inspect the bars that I saw, but they did look larger and stronger than the old ones. I looked at the online part catalog and it looks like the new part number is LVA15836. The picture is line art and doesn't show much detail. The older flat bars were also shown with a note of "NLA" which I assume means "No Longer Available." If that is true, you should get the newer ones. Here is a link to the parts catalog:

Featured Agricultural Parts

Choose "View parts catalog" from the lower left menu.

 

[beefeater]

Roger,

Thanks, we were probably typing at the same time.

No Longer Available eh? Interesting and timely.

As I noted just above you, my dealer did order the new round jobs. It looks as though you can't get the old flat ones any more, thankfully.

Encouraging news.

 

[MidGALandscaper]

Beefeater, how well does your 4720 handle the MX8? I don't have any thing real thick to cut, just some tall grass. I am torn between the MX7 and MX8. For me, time is money and I need to be able to get the job done as safely and as quickly as possible. I really like the MX8 but I want to make sure I can handle it. I will also have to transport the MX8 if I decided to purchase one. How do you haul yours around? How high will the 4720 lift the MX8. I need to be able to clear some fender wells or I will have to get a deck over trailer--more money.

 

[beefeater]

Smitty,

The 4720 handles the mx8 just fine. However, if they don't get this stabilizer bar issue worked out, it won't work. It will be a while until I can test out the new bars.

The mx8 is a great machine. It will handle your grass without any trouble at all. I have yet to bog it down.

the mx7 is not rated to work with the 4720. it is not offered in a semi mount and is too heavy for the class 1 3 point.

Regarding the lift height on the semi mount mx8, I believe it only raises up about 10-12 inches off the ground max. So you may have issues with your trailer. It weighs about 1700lbs. 4720 plus loaded tires, plus FEL, plus MX8 and you've got quite the load to tow.

 

[jerrynycom]

Update,

I just checked this out at JD's new parts catalog for the 4720.

Roger is absolutely correct. There are new round stabilizer bars now available. Part 26B male and 27B female. Apparently, these were new for tractors SN H370035 and up.

Put a call in to my dealer. He was on the ball and had ordered the new set of the round bars. Hopefully, these guys will be up to the task.

The picture looks confusing.....I need to order new bars as well cause mine are bent too! Seems when you travel with my MX6 lifted up and run on uneven terrain the MX6 sways and the bars bend easy....I posted a pic of the exploded view, 25A looks like the old flat bar and 25B looks like the new round bar....

I will call my dealer tomorrow but he didnt know about any "new round bars"

 

[Cidertom]

Weird:
My bars didn't break, the mount on the arm did. The weld broke on the mount and it tore the metal. I was doing some heavy offset blade work, which I would have thought would have bent them if they could be bent. I Wonder if there is something in the way they are adjusted that caused my stablizers to survive and others to fail?

I wound up doing the repair and not bothering to get a new arm.

 

[beefeater]

Jerry,

My 3 bars didn't bend, they snapped/sheared in half at the male end all 3 times.

The 25a appears to refer to the whole stabilizer bar pin unit- old style. The new round bar unit is refered to as 25B.

RogerH's link shows that dealers can only order the new round units, as the old flat units are NLA or no longer available.

 

[ddivinia]

Weird:
My bars didn't break, the mount on the arm did. The weld broke on the mount and it tore the metal. I was doing some heavy offset blade work, which I would have thought would have bent them if they could be bent. I Wonder if there is something in the way they are adjusted that caused my stablizers to survive and others to fail?

I wound up doing the repair and not bothering to get a new arm.

I have a brand new pair of those lower arms off my 4520. I upgraded to the adjustable ones and these are sitting here if you need them.

D.

 

[ddivinia]

Well - I just broke both arms on my 4520 with just a MX-6 on it.

I guess I jinked myself - I looked at a new tractor with the new style arms on mine.

Service department has them on order for me....

D.

 

[jerrynycom]

Do the new ones look like they wouldnt bend as much or break as easy?