 Here is a picture of this mower. I've had it for over a year, but I'm just starting to use it now. The tag is a little hard to read - but I think it says 40 or 46 in the middle. I assume now it is a New Idea Model 40. If someone can verify this, I will go get a manual or something. It appears to be a two-point. There are chains on each of the arm which I bolt to the drawbar to avoid excessive sway. I've lost one of the belts, but it seems to run OK on one. It's not obvious how to install a new one or adjust the tension. Any ideas? The pitman attaches to the bar via a two-sided ball hitch arrangement with a bolt (shear bolt?) running through it. The one that was on there was too long to get tight - but seemed to work OK - it was always coming lose whenever I stopped and checked things - and I never took the time to add washers or anything. After awhile, It broke or fell out and I replaced it with one the proper length with a nylon nut and everything - got it nice and tight. I could cycle the thing easy by hand at the belt pulley. Then, after a few minutes or mowing, the pitman broke. Does it count on a lose fit to allow some freedom to keep from stressing the pitman? Perhaps there is some additional mechanism between the end of the pitman and the ball of the bar that I am missing? It seems to me that since the angle is changing, it would be better to have a flexible joint there rather than just the rotation inside this ball? I plan to make another pitman out of an old hoe handle, but I want to understand how this is supposed to work first. Any help would be appreciated. I have more pictures, and more questions, but I'll leave it here for now.
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