Have your balls ever fallen out?

[slipshod]

Today I had to change out of the back-hoe to three point hitch on my 4600. The arms are held on by lynch pins and are easy to take on and off the tractor. When I went to hand the one arm I noticed that one of the balls that nount on the pins had fallen out. Must have looked for it for about half an hour, just ready to go to the dealer for a new one.This is the first time I realized that if you turn them just right they are made to come out of the arms, for what purpose I am not sure. I found the thing about a foot away from where the arms were sitting, but I will pay closer attention to my balls in the future.

[ducati996]

ROF sometimes they pop out of my shorts but thats another story for a different day...glad you found them ROF

[jodyand]

Maybe its so you can change them. They have to be cheaper then the arms.

[Archdean]

To the best of my knowledge , since it's a heavy wear point they can be replaced more easily then buying the socket and in some cases the entire arm also, The McCormicks are shipped with a tie wrap through them but the Kubotas are not! Don't know why that is!!

[slipshod]

Maybe its so you can change them. They have to be cheaper then the arms.
Well then I think I will buy a spare set of balls, may come in handy!

[john-in-ga]

On my 69 3000 Ford the balls can be easily removed by lifting up a clip (easy done with a flat tip screw driver) then turning the balls a certain way. I’ve found this useful in changing between category 1 and category 2 implements. That may be the reason yours are made the way they are. My 5300 John Deere doesn’t have this feature. I wish it did. Of course, if you start out with a category 2 (which the 5300 has) it is easily to step down to category 1 with a sleeve made for the purpose.

I’m not familiar with a 4600 but I wouldn’t think the balls would just fall out, unless you have something worn or missing. When you are at the dealer picking up extra balls, it might be a good idea to ask if the balls falling out is normal.

[Argee]

This is the first time I realized that if you turn them just right they are made to come out of the arms, for what purpose I am not sure.
I believe you can change from Cat 1 to Cat 2 balls to grab a mower or etc.

[guest]

That might be pretty risky messin' with cat balls! :hide:

[jdkubotamurray]

Cat 1 and 2 and cat 2 and 3 interchangeability is a main reason, also makes replacement easy. My new JD5520 has the balls WITH BOTH Cat 1 and Cat 2 holes, why did it take us engineers 70 years to do that?! :fing20:

[CatDaddy]

That might be pretty risky messin' with cat balls! :hide:
ROF ROF ROF

[Ingersoll444]

I would think the socket would wear long befor the balls would, so I bet its to change size like the others have said.

[DYT4000]

ROF sometimes they pop out of my shorts but thats another story for a different day...glad you found them ROF

That sounded just like something Ed would have said!! ROF

[ducati996]

That sounded just like something Ed would have said!! ROF

He's got a lock on the hooker stories - ROF

[USN_ED]

I have a story about a hooker and basket full of tennis balls but I'm saving it for a more appropriate occasion.

[Mickey]

To answer your question, NO I haven't. But, this past week I've been stepn' on my nuts. Filbert (hazel nut for you Easterners) tree has been dropping nuts and I can't walk anywhere near the tree with out steping on them. Seems to be a little early for nut trees to be droping fruit but this is a strange yr for Ag crops.

[dirtybernie]

hmmmm a hooker and a basket of tennis balls. sounds like a good one! ROF

[2CED]

ROF sometimes they pop out of my shorts but thats another story for a different day...glad you found them ROF

ditto! roflmao

[Team_Green]

2CED what where you searching for when you found this thread thats five years old?????

[Edward]

2CED what where you searching for when you found this thread thats five years old?????
I'd say he was looking for his balls.

[WNYTractorTinkerer]

We always leave pins installed in these to prevent your problem.. :trink40:

[PaulChristenson]

Gee...they have made bushings for years...;)
http://www.tractorsupply.com/agriculture/3-point-hitch-parts/category-2-to-1-lift-arm-bushing-0268454

[2CED]

2CED what where you searching for when you found this thread thats five years old?????

Reviews ... then I saw this ... and couldn't resist!

[Ken in NJ]

I'd say he was looking for his balls.

I wonder if Slipshod has found his balls that he lost in 2005 .. it would stink to go that long with out balls :D

[Chuck in Idaho]

If I got a second set my wife would probably be upset since she keeps the first set. In a jar on the mantle. She lets me look at them though.:crybaby:

[Team_Green]

:fing20: :biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh: