Rear control rod for hydraulic lift on 140

[Istheace]

The lift rod that goes from the hydraulic pump,down the left side of the tractor,to the rear,to lift the rear cultivators…
Mine is 3/4 “ diameter rod with no springs. Its very flimsy,and bends easily with slight down pressure on the rear sweeps. I have seen
a larger diameter rod with a spring on some 140’s. Do i have the correct rod? Do i need a spring? This rod bows upward with slight down pressure on the hydraulics.
Thanks for any comments.

[Jim Becker]

I'm about 95% sure on this response. The other rod with the spring etc. is for the Fast-Hitch. The upward bow of your rod is from being bent in the past. Originally, the only bends were side-to-side. You might be able to straighten it so it doesn't rebend as easily as it does now. There is a set collar at the rear which is usually slid forward so there is no down pressure. Having it back to get down pressure should only be done for moderate pressure, not to try to lift the whole tractor. The down pressure should be used for things like the cultivators that have spring-loaded pressure rods.

It looks like you are trying to use it properly for the cultivators. You are just running into a problem because of previous damage. Straightening the rod to eliminate the bow up may take care of your problem.

[tst]

That is the rear rockshaft lift rod, yes its pretty bent up, can straighten but I have found they they tend to bend again easily has the metal does not like being made into a pretzel , spring only on the fast hitch rod

[workinonit]

All 3 of my 140s have a spring on that lift rod. They are all bent to some degree. One even had a piece of galvanized pipe slipped over the rod. The rod has a spring and slip collars. The spring is to maintain downward pressure.

[Board shortener Tom]

The guy I bought my fast hitch from suggested I drive a length of pipe over the rod to keep the rod from bending. Every one of the tractors he owns has this done to them. I have not done this yet but the first time I bend the rod you can bet I will!

[workinonit]

Only one of mine has a pipe on it. The other two aren't bent....yet.

[Istheace]

Thanks for the reply’s. I took it off and straightened the bow in the middle. I also drilled out all the broken thumb screws in the touch control stops
so i could set a limit on the down pressure. Hopefully this will work for me.

Bruce

[workinonit]

I'll never understand what those old timers did to break all the thumb screws on the lift stops.