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Warning!! Snap Coupler Failure

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Kevin

05-29-2003 08:00:19




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I put this out as a warning to other unsuspecting AC snap coupler users.

Monday I used my 2 bottom plow off the back of my WD. Without warning the plow came loose from the snap coupler, the tongue stuck in the ground, and the plow pivoted right up onto my back. The plow knocked me forward and bashed my head against the steering wheel. This was a horrible experience and could have been fatal. Although banged up pretty bad, I am lucky that it was not worse.

I just wanted to let you guys know the danger if you didn't already.

I will not run anything off this snap coupler again, but I may try to replace it with something more secure. Any ideas??

Thanks for your time and please take warning.

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Dave K

05-30-2003 15:00:34




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 Re: Warning!! Snap Coupler Failure in reply to Kevin, 05-29-2003 08:00:19  
I hear more and more of this when using SC plows. We farmed for 35 years with SC and I still use a WD with SC and plow today. If...your release linkage/chain is set up correctly this should not happen. Also keep the spring and snap coupler moving parts lubricated! This seems to be most prevelant with plowing. That plow can move around a lot and if your release chain does not have slack when closed the plow can move around to where the chain comes under tension and releases the hook. Some people want that chain tight because it is eaisier to release with less movement of the lever. Wrong way to go. We always kept ours set up so the release lever makes full travel before it lifts the hook.

Dave

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den/southern illinois

05-29-2003 16:32:04




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 Re: Warning!! Snap Coupler Failure in reply to Kevin, 05-29-2003 08:00:19  
Did this plow have the ends to go into the snap over ends on the lift arms or did they slip over the arms and then have a set bolt to hold them on the lift arms. My understanding is that they droped the set bolts ends due to this potential problem and that with the latch arms, if the center latch came unhooked for any reason, then the lift arms would also open up and release to keep what happened to you from happening. Just an idea of what the problem may be. Still I agree, you still want the center loop to stay attached.

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Kevin

05-29-2003 22:37:00




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 Re: Re: Warning!! Snap Coupler Failure in reply to den/southern illinois, 05-29-2003 16:32:04  
This style has the set bolts for the hydraulic lift arms. I see the logic of the other style you mentioned, but that system may get a little hairy too. If I ever use it again, I plan to have a positive lock on it and maybe a safety chain too.

Thanks



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Dave Grubb

05-29-2003 11:41:08




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 Re: Warning!! Snap Coupler Failure in reply to Kevin, 05-29-2003 08:00:19  
This type of accident generally happens when the chain from the release lever to the hook is too short. If everything goes wrong at the same time the lack of enough slack in the chain will cause the hook to move and release the implement. It is a safe system if maintained and checked for proper rigging periodically. Glad you didn't get hurt any worse than you did.



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Brian G. NY

05-29-2003 19:14:13




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 Re: Re: Warning!! Snap Coupler Failure in reply to Dave Grubb, 05-29-2003 11:41:08  
Apparently this was not an uncommon occurence. There have been several discussions on this either here or over on the "Unofficial Allis" site. One guy said he used a "safety chain" hooked to the plow near the snap coupler and to the belly of the tractor. Sounds like good insurance.



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mojo

05-29-2003 21:56:30




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 Re: Re: Re: Warning!! Snap Coupler Failure in reply to Brian G. NY, 05-29-2003 19:14:13  
dad always said the life of the equipment was grease, and grease can save your life. before you 'hookup' "grease". that means hitch points and pto. after you unhitch, grease, that means hitch points and especially pto. BUT ABOVE ALL...the life of a/c equipment is the snapcoupler. if the intially point of hitch fails, you are history(unless very lucky) i've heard of safety chains and i think they're great if the equipment is questionable, not absolutely neccasary if the equipment is alright, altho, alright might have pasted 20 yrs ago.
my point being, yes, snap couplers are dangerous if not maintained. but there is an equally and maybe greater threat from the pto.

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so, where is

05-29-2003 22:20:39




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Warning!! Snap Coupler Failure in reply to mojo, 05-29-2003 21:56:30  
the zerk on a snap coupler?



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david l wilson

05-30-2003 01:15:08




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Warning!! Snap Coupler Failure in reply to so, where is , 05-29-2003 22:20:39  
my dad & grandpa both used safty chains on there plows just in case. they started using them after an incident just like yours and they used them from then on.



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