MX8 cutter snapping stabilizer bars?

[ddivinia]

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

They did look stouter. I didn't look close enough to figure out how they adjust. I guess I will figure that out PDQ. I am going to pull the remains of mine off when I get back from lunch so I don't mess a tire up or something.

I had my so the MX-6 would swap some in case i hit something. I wonder if that was a mistake. Momentum might have hurt me in this case.

D.

 

[Turkeyman]

With the old design (square bars) I would break 6-7 male bars per yr, usally on on the left side, at $40 per bar. I keep a spare on the tractor as I break them so much. I complained and from the 2-3 dealers I use for parts so did they. My 7.5 disc and Tree cutter broke most of them. I pull a Bush Hog, 3008, 8ft 3pt cutter and never broke any with it. Until this year you could buy either the male or the female bars but now you must buy both and the price has almost doubled, but the bars are now round, stronger and weigh more.
I was desperate for change that I looked at the screw type found on the 5003 and the very HD used on the 5x25, but they use different pin sizes.

 

[ddivinia]

I got the replacements yesterday. They are night and day. I believe the problem is solved.

D.

 

[jerrynycom]

Can you post a picture of the new ones please.......

 

[ddivinia]

Can you post a picture of the new ones please.......

I'll try to do that today before I install them.

D.

 

[ddivinia]

Here are pics of the new arms. I think JD finally solved the problem.

D.

 

[jerrynycom]

Thanks for pics!

My 4720 is at the dealer and I am gonna have him order those arms.....What did you pay for the pair?

 

[ddivinia]

Nothing - they replaced them under warranty.

D.

 

[jerrynycom]

Ok thanks....

 

[jerrynycom]

Heres a pic of mine after my dealer did mine....under warranty of course....One big question....The pin doesnt reach thru the hole as the round bars are thicker than the old square ones, did you get longer pins? When I say dont reach I mean the ball bearing that locks in place doesnt reach all the way thru, its short by like 1/8 inch or so.....

 

[ddivinia]

Heres a pic of mine after my dealer did mine....under warranty of course....One big question....The pin doesnt reach thru the hole as the round bars are thicker than the old square ones, did you get longer pins? When I say dont reach I mean the ball bearing that locks in place doesnt reach all the way thru, its short by like 1/8 inch or so.....

I will have to check mine. I got new pins with mine. I suspect they reused the old pins.

D.

 

[beefeater]

The short pins sound bad, thinking about the everything that can go wrong will philosophy. I see them popping out with use or travel if they do not go all the way through

 

[beefeater]

Ok Update time.

I finally got a chance to test the new round stabilizer bars and pins.

After 10 solid hours of cutting time, no problems. The new bars seem to be up to the task, thankfully. I recommend anyone with the old flat bars upgrade to the new ones.

The MX8 and the 4720 are a nice combo. The tractor has plenty of power and size to handle the mx8 up and down steep hills. In transport mode, I can tow the MX8 in high range C gear up and down steep dirt roads to get to fields.

I do recommend going very slowly when backing up and slow in the turns to minimize stress on the stabilzer bars and 3 point retaining pins.

The MX8 cuts full grown hay fields and pasture grass without missing a beat. No bogging down. Bushes and small trees are no problem either.

Run at about 4mph when cutting grass or hay due to bumpy field conditions.

Very pleased overall.