New to the forum and need some help!

[njc110381]

Hi guys. First off I feel I should introduce myself - My name is Neil and I'm a gardener from Gloucester in the UK. I just went out last week and bought myself a used B4200 with a mid mount deck and now I'm trying to learn how to get the best from it and look after it properly. I came here after watching Vic's videos on Youtube.... What a first class job, I've learned a lot already!

Moving on to my problem - the hydraulic lift arms aren't level. I can see that they are fitted with some kind of compression joint which gripes a shaft with splines on so I need to take it off, move it around a notch and then refit. Problem is it's not coming off! I've loosened the bolt and given it a light tap to try to persuade it off of the shaft but it's not shifting! Any ideas where I may be going wrong? Have I missed something or is it just stuck because it's old?!

I'd really appreciate some help with this!

 

[birddogger]

Usually the right hand (as seated) lifting link (vertical member)is either a turnbuckle or has 3 separate holes at the lower-end clevis pin to set level of the lifting arms(horizontal member). Adjustment of the upper arms is not typically the approach.
This should show the turnbuckle in the right link:

 

[GWD]

Moving on to my problem - the hydraulic lift arms aren't level. I can see that they are fitted with some kind of compression joint which gripes a shaft with splines on so I need to take it off, move it around a notch and then refit. Problem is it's not coming off! I've loosened the bolt and given it a light tap to try to persuade it off of the shaft but it's not shifting! Any ideas where I may be going wrong? Have I missed something or is it just stuck because it's old?!

I'd really appreciate some help with this!

First of all, welcome.

A photo, or several, would be of considerable help in diagnosing and suggesting a remedy.

 

[njc110381]

Thanks for the replies chaps. I actually went out with the releasing oil and spent what seemed like an age getting the hydraulic arms off - it turns out that with the way the splines are set it won't go level anyway!

My right lift arm is connected with a turnbuckle so that the arm can be adjusted, but even when fully wound in the right hand lift arm is still low compared to the left. Should I just buy a shorter turnbuckle?

I guess what's confusing me is that the top arms aren't level and they are the first stage of the whole system.

I piled a lot of tools around the tractor when I got back from my mowing job today so a picture isn't the easiest task right now unfortunately! On a positive note though it's the first time I've used it and it went well. It also used about £1 worth if diesel compared to over £5 of petrol/gasoline which my old ride on would have used! Now all I need is a loader!

 

[GWD]

Thanks for the replies chaps. I actually went out with the releasing oil and spent what seemed like an age getting the hydraulic arms off - it turns out that with the way the splines are set it won't go level anyway!

My right lift arm is connected with a turnbuckle so that the arm can be adjusted, but even when fully wound in the right hand lift arm is still low compared to the left. Should I just buy a shorter turnbuckle?

I guess what's confusing me is that the top arms aren't level and they are the first stage of the whole system.

I piled a lot of tools around the tractor when I got back from my mowing job today so a picture isn't the easiest task right now unfortunately! On a positive note though it's the first time I've used it and it went well. It also used about £1 worth if diesel compared to over £5 of petrol/gasoline which my old ride on would have used! Now all I need is a loader!

It sounds like you could adjust the vertical arms by using the different holes in them. The stirrup that fits over the lower arm should have several holes for adjustment. You can make up a lot of adjustment just by placing the securing pins in a different spot. However, that is a temporary fix.

Most top arms are held on by the splines and a nut/bolt combination that compresses the end on the splined shaft. I think by your description that you are right on target.

If you can heat up the nut to cherry red then it will come off. A small propane torch might do the job after a while depending on the size of the nut. Oxygen/ Acetylene would be much faster and more efficient.

 

[njc110381]

I got one of the top arms off but the splines didn't allow it to line up with the other. The place it is at is as close as it would go? I'd say it's about an inch lower at the end furthest from the tractor?

What would cause them not to be level? I assume they're supposed to be?

 

[B7100]

The only thing I can think of is the cross shaft may be twisted causing the splines not to be in line.
Dave
edit See item 220 from B4200 parts manual,welcome to the forum,its nice to see a member so close to my location

 

[njc110381]

I guess the shaft could be twisted? How would it manage to take on a load that was capable of that though? It's a pretty hefty part!

I head over to Wales occasionally - I shoot on a range by the bridge the last Sunday of every month. Likewise, it's good to know there are members of the forum nearby.

 

[jcansler]

I had a B7100 that I was using to pull a heavy log and had it chained to a boxblade, I had to jerk on the log a few times to get get it moving and on about the fourth jerk I noticed one side of the boxblade was on the ground while the other side was where it should be. I found out I had stripped out the splines of the right side lift arm. I replaced the arm and ended up with the same problem you describe, the only way I could get the lift arms level was by adjusting the turnbuckle on the right side. This got the arms level enough to use but I know that I twisted the cross shaft that the arms connect to. So it can happen, lesson learned....yours probably got twisted in a similar manner.

Joe

 

[njc110381]

Thanks Joe. I didn't really consider being able to shock load the linkage, that makes perfect sense. The linkage is very nearly level so I'll not worry about it, I can put the turnbackle in my lathe and modify it slightly so it has some more adjustment and then all will be well.

 

[birddogger]

Someone might have backed into an obstacle with a lift-arm and bent it up, who knows?