embarrassing 3038e question

Thomas99 · Apr 25, 2015

For the past 20 years, I have kept 18 acres bush hogged using a old Ford 600 tractor. Last week, I finally got a new John Deere 3038e for the job (kept the Ford...they'll have to pry it from my cold dead fingers). I thought I knew everything about a 3-point hitch, but I'm stumped by what seems a simple problem: The tractor was delivered with a bush hog, and I'm having trouble detaching it. The top link comes off fine. But, when I take the hitch pins off to free up the lift arms, there is NOT ENOUGH LATERAL MOVEMENT to get the arms off the bush hog. There has to be a simple answer to this. On each side the arms move freely, but I would need about another inch one each side to separate the lift arms from the posts on the implement. I suppose I will need to adjust or change something on the linkages of the hitch (...there is no anti-sway bar as on the old Ford, and instead there are chains and vertical members, but it seems inefficient to have to start taking the hitch apart just to detach an implement). Thanks (but embarrassed), Tom.

kub6040 · Apr 25, 2015

If you just bought it I would contact dealer and have him come out to show how his tractor functions as that may cause other problems when altering a hitch from factory.

Dan in Ohio · Apr 26, 2015

Tom,

I am not sure what size the 3038e is but think it is similar in size to my 2520. There is not much wiggle room with the way those hitches are made. At least you do not have one that rubs the rear tires like the first 2520's do. John deere engineers corrected the design on later models but not mine.

One solution is a quick hitch or use an impement that is a true category 1 hitch. You may also be able to turn the hitch pins on the implement around to face the inside (each other).

Good luck with the new tractor.

Dan

Mike M · Apr 26, 2015

Have you looked for the answer in the owners manual ? Without seeing it I'd guess you also have to loosen or unpin a sway chain or bar.

Wemedeeres · Apr 26, 2015

On my 3520 there is an arm with holes in it that attaches to each three point arm and goes down to the frame. There is a T handle type pin you pull which allows the arms to move retract in or out. It's kind of a way to eliminate the side to side slop without having sway blocks.

Machinery-Man · Apr 27, 2015

I'd recommend a quick hitch set up and spare the back.

embarrassing 3038e question

Thomas99

New User

kub6040

Well-known Member

Dan in Ohio

Well-known Member

Mike M

Well-known Member

Wemedeeres

Member

Machinery-Man

Well-known Member

Similar threads