John Deere #5 Mower.........

Goose · May 31, 2010

Does anyone have any "tricks of the trade", or easy way to get the spring loaded socket on the end of the pitman arm off the ball on the sickle? And the hard part, back on again?

Every time I have to do that, I wind up fighting with it for an hour or more. Usually wind up taking the pitman arm off the mower, taking it in the shop and clamping it in a vise and swearing at it until I get the spring worked back and something stuck in the halves of the socket to hold them apart till I get it set back on.

If anyone has any little tricks, I'm all ears.

gregk · May 31, 2010

Sounds like something I'd try to hold apart with my thumb sooner or later OUCH.

Harvey Brinker · May 31, 2010

I used one for years, and always used a very long stout screwdriver to pop it off. To get it back on is a bit more difficult as it likes to slide away from the top of the ball. Thus I made up a hard wood 2x4 with a bit of a dent in the end,,,centered it on top, then drove it down,,and onto the ball,,with a hammer. Once you get the knack, it works fairly well.

Now mine, and I presume yours too, has a spring loaded wedge that needs to be pushed back,,,to release the clamping effect of the two metal side plates that attach to the end of the pitment stick. The big screw driver,,helps force the wedge back,,and load the spring up.

Actually, I had more trouble every time I hit an ant hill on the outer end of the cycle bar,,,and the unit came un-latched and swung back,,,dropping slightly. Then when I backed up, to re-snap it into position,,,it wanted to bind up. I resolved the problem by carrying an old car bunper jack to lift the side up a bit.

Good luck,,,Harvey

Bob · May 31, 2010

Are you missing the middle "strap" (Key #3, part # Z7327H) though which a long punch can be inserted to pry the spring back? (It's about $20.00 at your local Deere dealer.)

<img src = "http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u125/27Grainfield/Deere5Pitman-1.jpg">

(I use a BIG Phillips screwdriver who's tip is worn too badly to be of any use for it's original purpose.)

Harvey Brinker · May 31, 2010

By the way: Another issue I had with mine was that every time I went to raise the bar to the vertical position, like to transport out of the field...the bar wanted to drop down and dig into the ground. It was also dangerous in that you had to keep your fingers away back. Thus I always carried a 24 inch long piece of No.9 wire that I used on the frame, and under the pitment stick. I presume you already know all this,,,but then can be dangerous to kids and others if parked without having the pitment stick held up, otherwise they might drop when least expected.

Again Good Luck,,,Harvey

JD Seller · May 31, 2010

If yours has the strap # three you juststick a small pry bar down through it from the top and pry the lock u back while at the same time pushing the strap between the two halfs of the pitman arm socket. The strap holds them apart so you can remove the sickle. When you go to reinstall it you just line the pitman up with the ball socket on the sickle and pry the strap up out of the middle. It will snap shut and you are good to go. IF YOU don't have the strap I have bent a 90 in the end of a piece of flat iron and used it seperate the two halves. I would get the strap if you plan on keeping the mower.

Goose · May 31, 2010

Aha! Mine doesn't have the top strap. Looks simple enough with that in place. I'll have to see if JD can still get one.

Thanks a bunch!!!!

Bob · May 31, 2010

Harvey, here's why your knife is dropping downwards when you transport...

<img src = "http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u125/27Grainfield/Clip.jpg">

Harvey Brinker · Jun 1, 2010

Bob and others, thanks for the clarification. Obviously, I am missing a few parts, and just made-do over the years.

Thanks again, Harvey

John Deere #5 Mower.........

Goose

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gregk

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Harvey Brinker

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Bob

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Harvey Brinker

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JD Seller

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Goose

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Bob

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Harvey Brinker

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