Okay to Put Strong Bolt in Subsoiler Shank?

   / Okay to Put Strong Bolt in Subsoiler Shank? #1  

Suburban Plowboy

Platinum Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2018
Messages
521
Location
FL
Tractor
Kubota L3710
I have a subsoiler for a Cat 1 hitch, and I use it with a 37-HP tractor. I got it so I could hook it under roots and stumps and pull stuff out.

I had to modify it a little, because the ears that held the lower pins bent when I put a lot of stress on the subsoiler. I welded in gussets, and now I use a straight 3/4" bar that goes from one side of the subsoiler to the other instead of two short pins that direct torque to the pin mounts and which, themselves, are not hard to damage.

The subsoiler's shank is held in the subsoiler with two bolts that go through it. One at the top is heavy. The lower one is lighter. The bolts allow me to turn the shank around so the blade points backward if I want.

I keep snapping the lower bolt on the subsoiler. My question: is this thing supposed to be a shear pin, or can I go ahead and replace it with a stronger bolt?

I assume it would be pretty hard to hurt the tractor by pulling or lifting the subsoiler. I don't really care if I hurt the subsoiler, since it's easily replaced. I can't imagine Kubota's engineers making a 3-point hitch that can't be maxed out, but I have seen plenty of stupid engineering, so I may be wrong.

I managed to bend the bar that replaced the lift pins, but that was my fault. I let my Pat's Easy Change open up too much so it applied force to the ends of the bar. I plan to put in a new bar that has stops on the ends to keep the Quick Hitch close to the subsoiler. I guess I could have prevented the problem by using the stabilizer bar the Easy Change came with, but I couldn't be bothered.

I'm about to weld up a new shank which is more like a hook. I want something that will hold a root firmly instead of slipping off when I lift the rear hitch.


09 28 20 subsoiler with gussets welded in small.jpg
 
   / Okay to Put Strong Bolt in Subsoiler Shank?
  • Thread Starter
#2  
Is this pin or bolt intended to prevent problems when the tractor is moving at a good speed? I don't do that. I hook the rock or stump or whatever and then pull in low gear.
 
   / Okay to Put Strong Bolt in Subsoiler Shank? #3  
I would replace it with a stronger bolt and than look for the next weak point...
 
   / Okay to Put Strong Bolt in Subsoiler Shank? #6  
Can you take a different picture of the implement? It may be assembled like that with the bolts only for shipping purposes.
 
   / Okay to Put Strong Bolt in Subsoiler Shank? #7  
You MAY realize you've gone too far when something on the 3-point breaks.
 
   / Okay to Put Strong Bolt in Subsoiler Shank? #8  
Grade 8s or drill rod work well for what you are talking about.
 
   / Okay to Put Strong Bolt in Subsoiler Shank? #9  
When subsoiling going forward with momentum and hit a rock or root too big the small bolt is suppose to shear and release the shank to prevent from folding the top link toward the tractor. Some top links are made beefier than others. Made to be easy to replace. You strengthen the weak link , you make another.
 
 

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