NO apologies neccessary Zachary,
Your in the right place.
You would be money and aggravation a head by goin to the quartermaster
and seeing if they have some 3/8" turnbuckles that are 12 inches long and welding a drilled weldment to the left and right lower links and drilling a hole in the hitch at the appropriate point for the inside turnbuckle.
The drilled weldment would be the size of the turnbuckles pins ONLY and be the about one inch by one inch and it will be welded on both sides-unless you have some thick angle iron that can be cut on a power hack saw or a hand hack saw- if done by hand be sure to use a pair of small pieces of metal to guide the blade when cutting by hand as you will get tired and it will want to wander a bit if it is thinner than the thickness of the space within the turnbuckles ears.
If turnbuckles are unavailable, you can use chain heavy work or tow chain and a pair of 1/2 inch shackles for the frame attachmernt point and drill in to the lower link arms at a one or two points on the lower link arms to give you some adjustment. to attach the ears of the shackles
You will most likely need one inch shackles to pass over the lower links and 1-1/4" link chain to attach it to the hitch which will be the easiest point to avoid contact with the P.T.O. shaft.
I am very surprized that this John Deere Mule from Europe does not have sway chains or points to attach them.
Short of that you could order the turnbuckles from Mcmastercarr and have them at the APO, AFPO, in KABUL or Ramstein from thier warehouse in New Jersey or Europe.
Using turnbuckles gives your more physical control of the implement and it amplifys the control of the lower link on either side, please keep in mind the you may need larger turnbuckes- the ears of the turnbuckles will nee to be wide enough for them to pass over the drawe bar and to secure them with the turnbuckles pins-sizing the weldments for the opposit turn buckles still applies- saying that a properly welded shackle on each lower link will work well-you just need to secure the turn buckle to the drawbar first.
NO-THERE IS NO USING A SMOKE WRENCH ON EITHER THE DRAW BAR OR LOWER LINKS!
I will gladly help you with this repair if you do not have a large motor pool shop in your area as it will be easy to do and manage.
go to bed and get some rest, god bless you and your crew.
Asaalam Alaaikum.
