D17 Spring missing from Quick Hitch bell

It's called a "Snap Coupler Bell Hook Spring". It's supposed to be inside the Snap Coupler bell. I recently got this tractor and that spring is missing. I just put on the drawbar and had to tap the snap with a hammer to get it latched. It appears latched tightly, but seems sort of sloppy as well. This makes me ask if this spring is really necessary. The local ACCO dealer said it's almost $40. Seems very costly for a spring. For the few times I need to change an implement, I'll get out the hammer and save the $40. But maybe it's more necessary than it appears. That's why I'm asking this question. I also dont see how it goes in there. Can anyone explain or post a photo of the spring.

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There is supposed to be a disconnect lever to disconnect an implement. I had to use a prybar to remove another implement. The ACCO dealer said that lever and the knob are no longer available. From the printout he gave me, it looks like that is just a piece of rod, so I can make something to work. However I'd greatly appreciate if someone who owns a D17 could give me the length, diameter, and any info about bends, how it attaches to the latch, and/or a photo. As far as the knob, I'll make or find something. In fact I think I have a few ball-like knobs from other equipment that I have saved.

I have implements for that Quick Hitch, so I want to get it working properly. But this is my first Allis tractor so I'm learning as I go, and dont have another tractor to compare it to. Your help will be greatly appreciated.

Spring is $19 if you search this term "Allis Chalmers Snap Coupler Bell Hook Spring - 70226514" and look at the DJS Tractor Parts links. I'll snap a picture of the release lever on mine, but it might be as easy to find a used one off of a salvage machine.
AaronSEIA

You need to buy the proper spring for this hook,

Skimp on price on something else not this part, I consider this a critical safe device,

The reason some people sold these tractors and bought tractors with 3 pt hitch,
The snap couple hitch came loose, snap couple hitch tounge goes into the ground and then the plow Starts coming up and over onto the driver, believe me, it can happen,

The lift arm clamp springs must be in good shape and properly fitted so they will come un hitched, if this were to ever happen,

I ran a D14 for years with snap couple hitch and pulled plenty of snap couple hitch tools, but I made sure all my snap couple components were in proper order,
Be Sure that bolt or pin that holds the snap couple catch has proper cotter keys in place
Just a word to the wise, check all parts of the hitch from time to time,

Note to file, tractors with 3 pt hitch parts can also fail and cause accidents if not kept in proper order,

That spring is VERRY NECESSARY. Mine on the WD45 got weak, I now have a huge scar in the middle of my back where the plow came unhooked and landed on top of me. Happened 30+ years ago and I suffer with back pain every day because of it. For gosh sake get it replaced asap.

HD, sorry to hear about your accident with the snap couple hitch,
Shortly after I got my tractor D 14 many years ago a fellow at an equipment dealer told me to keep a close eye on that hitch,
He told me about of one of the large farm family's in the community that ran nothing but AC equipment,
One of the son's was plowing with a WD45 pulling 3-16's, the snap couple hitch came loose, plow flipped over and broke his back,

The next day the father traded all the AC equipment in on tractors with 3 pt hitches,

AC is good equipment, but like any equipment you can not just set up there and drive any never check that snap couple hitch,
My buddy broke a lower arm on his Ferguson 135, the rotary cutter started climbing up the other side tire, he hit the clutch as the blade shredded the rear tire, scared the xxddxx out of him, as the cutter was coming up the tire after him,

Yes, the same thing happen to a friend of mine, at a plowing bee, so there were plenty of guys, there to help, but never broke his back, but pinned up against the steering wheel, one scary day for everybody !!

I'd greatly appreciate that photo. From a parts drawing I got from the dealer, it looks like that lever is just a straight piece of rod, with threads on both ends. The nearest tractor salvage yard is about 50 miles away. By the time I spend 2 hours of driving time and pay for the gas, I can make that piece in half the time and for less money. I am curious how far it's supposed to extend above the "floor plate" that it comes up thru. It should be easy to grab, but not in the way of other stuff, or where it can get released when it's not supposed to. So, I'd like to know about how long the factory one is. I have several black ball-knobs that I can put on it. A one foot ruler in the picture would probably help, or just post the length from the lever to the handle knob.

Thank U, and thanks to all who replied to this!

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(quoted from post at 06:09:15 04/21/16) Spring is $19 if you search this term "Allis Chalmers Snap Coupler Bell Hook Spring - 70226514" and look at the DJS Tractor Parts links. I'll snap a picture of the release lever on mine, but it might be as easy to find a used one off of a salvage machine.
AaronSEIA

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