Using Fast Hitch Lift Rod for Rear Rockshaft

[PoconoCub]

Apparently when I bought the 57 many years ago I received a few parts for a Fast Hitch (ie: Fast Hitch Lift Rod), but not the Fast Hitch itself

Fast_Hitch_Lift_Rod.jpg (484.69 KiB) Viewed 691 times

Does anyone think I will have a problem using the Fast Hitch Lift Rod for the Rear Rockshaft? It looks like it will work....

Fast_Hitch_Lift_Rod_Connected.jpg (384.46 KiB) Viewed 691 times

I know I will not be able to use the Universal Mount while using this lift rod, but I can atleast use the rear rockshaft with the rear cultivators until I get the proper lift rod.

I still have so many things to identify what they are

Scott

[dgrapes59]

I am new to Fast Hitches, I just put one on my LoBoy, so not much help on what parts interchange. But, did wonder, shouldn't the spring be on the lower, "helper spring" rod, it looks like it about to launch all coiled up like that (not sure what purpose it serves in that application)!

Good luck,

[PoconoCub]

I am new to Fast Hitches, I just put one on my LoBoy, so not much help on what parts interchange. But, did wonder, shouldn't the spring be on the lower, "helper spring" rod, it looks like it about to launch all coiled up like that (not sure what purpose it serves in that application)!

Good luck,

Honestly I know nothing about the Fast Hitch and your right it doesn't look like that spring belongs there. The only thing I can think of is the previous owner was using as a helper spring instead of buying a true helper spring which I happen to have bought a few years ago.

Scott

[Bill Hudson]

Scott,

As it appears to me, the spring is attached to exert down pressure on the rockshaft. In most situations the rockshaft is meant to only exert lifting force no down pressure. Take the spring off.

Bill

[PoconoCub]

Scott,

As it appears to me, the spring is attached to exert down pressure on the rockshaft. In most situations the rockshaft is meant to only exert lifting force no down pressure. Take the spring off.

Bill

From my understanding Bill the lift rod is supposed to slide through the trunion until the it hits the stop, right now it doesn't as it is rusted I guess. The spring really has no purpose that I can tell but I do plan to remove it as it is not supposed to be there according to the parts manual.

Scott

[Matt Kirsch]

A bar is a bar is a bar.

The only issue you may run into is range of motion on the rear rockshaft.

If the fast hitch rod is too long the rockshaft will start too low and not raise far enough. If it is too short the rockshaft will start too high and raise too far.

Too long is easy, just slip a piece of pipe between the nut and the trunnion to shorten it up.
Too short is easy to a degree, just let the nut out as necessary until you run out of thread. If you need more then it gets slightly challenging.

[PoconoCub]

A bar is a bar is a bar.

The only issue you may run into is range of motion on the rear rockshaft.

If the fast hitch rod is too long the rockshaft will start too low and not raise far enough. If it is too short the rockshaft will start too high and raise too far.

Too long is easy, just slip a piece of pipe between the nut and the trunnion to shorten it up.
Too short is easy to a degree, just let the nut out as necessary until you run out of thread. If you need more then it gets slightly challenging.

The range seems to be fine, but I will have to wait until after winter to play with it to make sure as I have the dual plow/grader blades setup for snow plowing.

Scott

[Bill Hudson]

... From my understanding Bill the lift rod is supposed to slide through the trunion until the it hits the stop, right now it doesn't as it is rusted I guess. The spring really has no purpose that I can tell but I do plan to remove it as it is not supposed to be there according to the parts manual.

Scott

Scott,

You are using parts from two different lift systems so there are some mechanical differences to account for.

In your case it is simple because the rockshaft you have uses a solid lift rod -no adjustment whatsoever. Since you are using a FH lift rod simply determine the proper length for the solid rod and set the adjusting nut and stop collar (after removing the spring) to the same length and tighten everything up. Your FH lift rod now functions as fixed length lift rod.

Using your FH lift rod on a FH is different in that some applications require a fixed length for slight down pressure. Other applications actually no down pressure, plowing being one that immediately comes to mind. Fixed length + down pressure applied + hitting a rock lifting the plow = bent lift rod.

Bill

[Jim Becker]

Not sure about relative positions of arms on the rockshafts, the FH rod may rub the fender when used with an early style rear rockshaft (even harder than the proper rod does). By the way, the FH rod is a lot harder to find (not bent) than the non-FH part. There must be someone nearby that is willing to trade with you.

[Scrivet]

.......I still have so many things to identify what they are ............

Scott, Scott, Scott......No need to be sad, take pictures and post them. Pictures and whatsits are some of the best threads.

To show you how easy it is; in the top right corner of your first picture, the "u" shaped piece looks like a Cub-22 sickle mower PTO pulley shield. The cultivator shield and the plow share should be obvious but then, hey maybe not.

[tmays]

.......I still have so many things to identify what they are ............

Scott, Scott, Scott......No need to be sad, take pictures and post them. Pictures and whatsits are some of the best threads.

To show you how easy it is; in the top right corner of your first picture, the "u" shaped piece looks like a Cub-22 sickle mower PTO pulley shield. The cultivator shield and the plow share should be obvious but then, hey maybe not.

And the two rods look like rods that attach to 22 mower grassboard

[PoconoCub]

Scott,

You are using parts from two different lift systems so there are some mechanical differences to account for.

In your case it is simple because the rockshaft you have uses a solid lift rod -no adjustment whatsoever. Since you are using a FH lift rod simply determine the proper length for the solid rod and set the adjusting nut and stop collar (after removing the spring) to the same length and tighten everything up. Your FH lift rod now functions as fixed length lift rod.

Using your FH lift rod on a FH is different in that some applications require a fixed length for slight down pressure. Other applications actually no down pressure, plowing being one that immediately comes to mind. Fixed length + down pressure applied + hitting a rock lifting the plow = bent lift rod.

Bill

No down pressure is my goal, the ground I will be working after the winter is hard and full of rocks. I am thinking of using the 193 moldboard first then the front and rear cultivators.

Scott

[PoconoCub]

Not sure about relative positions of arms on the rockshafts, the FH rod may rub the fender when used with an early style rear rockshaft (even harder than the proper rod does). By the way, the FH rod is a lot harder to find (not bent) than the non-FH part. There must be someone nearby that is willing to trade with you.

Belive it or not even with that spring on there that doesn't belong there it doesn't rub.

Oh how right you are Jim, So far I haven't found one that isn't bent and I have seen them with rebar welded to them. I have had a few offers to trade for mine, but I think I will hold on to it.

Scott

[PoconoCub]

.......I still have so many things to identify what they are ............

Scott, Scott, Scott......No need to be sad, take pictures and post them. Pictures and whatsits are some of the best threads.

To show you how easy it is; in the top right corner of your first picture, the "u" shaped piece looks like a Cub-22 sickle mower PTO pulley shield. The cultivator shield and the plow share should be obvious but then, hey maybe not.

Those were the easy things to identify

Scott

[PoconoCub]

And the two rods look like rods that attach to 22 mower grassboard

That is what I identified them as after I thought they were for a potato planter which uses the same rods.

Scott