MX5200 broken hydraulic lift arm

[stanishr]

While cutting hay last night a loud noise and one of the two hydraulic lift arms dropped. Noticed a failure in the connection to the lift shaft. Pulled of the drum mower and pulled off the arm this morning. Ordered a new one but noticed on the removed piece several cracks in other areas. Wondering if anyone else has experience? I fear I'll need to order another for th other side.

The drum mower is unbalanced as installed by design and puts more weight on the arm that broke. Curious if there shouldn't be a 'better' weak point in the linkage? The ground is bumpy and it

The two arms are identical and I'm contemplating swapping sides after inspecting for cracks in case it was a poorly made or improperly stressed relieved. Any advice.

 

[Pburchett]

Would that be a warranty item with such a new tractor? I looked at mine and they are both still intact. Hopefully that was just a defective arm as it would be costly to replace those every mowing.

 

[stanishr]

Bought the tractor in December 2014, asked about the warranty and too late. Just under 300 hours. Had part overnighted. Reinstalled part, a little chore starting and getting arms level and the spring clip on in the 100 degree heat. Not a lot of room to pound it back on, had to get a prybar to get it started.

Putting on the cutter to finish hay cut tonight and maybe tomorrow. Lost a day and a half. Dealer said they never had one ordered before, so it's hopefully a rarity. The new part was from India, hope its solid. Looked good.

 

[100 td]

The new part was from India, hope its solid.

That will depend on what the scrap steel ship they were melting down on the day was made of.........

 

[stanishr]

Finished cutting, raking, baling. Went a lot slower than usual because of the repair. Found the heavy seat springs - were out - one end had broken off and the entire tensioning mechanism was off, ordered two new springs and will fix seat next week. Guess our field is too bumpy for going fast and wild. Will have to sloooow down to avoid more failures.