MF 35 - lower link pin size

Wondering what is the original diameter of the lower link pins MF 35 tractor? The pin on either side of the rear end where the lower 3 point hitch bars attach.

I noticed more then normal wear and play in the lower bars as I'm trying to get this tractor ready for mowing.

I removed the bars and noticed the link pin on either side of the rear end had some sort of bushing over the pins. I was able to take the bushing sleeves off. I measured the diameter of the pins and found them to be 3/4 inch but they did appear to be worn on the back side. The bushings appear to be a makeshift thing from a piece of pipe with 3/4 inch inside diameter and about 15/16 inch outside diameter. It was apparent the sleeves were sanded down on the outside diameter surface that eventually allowed the lower bars to be attached.

Then I checked both ends of the lower bars and noticed that 3 ball ends were 15/16 inside diameter with very much play in the bar socket hole. The fourth end was cut off and a new one welded on with a new 7/8 inch inside diameter ball.

CAT 1 is 7/8 inch. So is this strange size of 3/4 inch for the lower link pins caused by wear and tear and the sleeve bushing was just a quick fix to make up for looseness? And 3 of the 4 lower bar ends are wore out and there is no such thing as 15/16 inch diameter balls?

Or was there some crazy metric sizes back in the day for the lower bars and the lower link pins?

Thanks

Scott

The hole in the ball end will wear also. To replace the link pins you have to remove the axle housing (one side at a time) because a nut holds the link pin in on the inside. That is why someone put bushings over the link pins because it's not easy to replace them.

Sounds like the lower pins mounted to the tractor body and your lower like arms balls are worn out,

Buddy of mine had a lower arm ball break out, rotary cutter came around shredded his rear tire and was climbing up the rear tire after him
before he got it stopped,

Cost him a change of pants, new rear tire and two lower lift arms, rear fender, plus a lot of straighting on the cutter lift frame,

Could have been a serious accident, disaster

Those lower pins might last a while if you do light work, would not want to plow with them
Just my suggestion
Would not let a kid use the tractor,