Needham Ag - John Deere Main Opener Arm - Pivot Repair Kits
Part Detail
Main Opener Arm Pin (1.25” OD x 5.50” - replaces JD part number N282536)
Main Opener Arm Outer Bushings (1.25” ID x 1.63” OD - replaces JD part number N283636)
Thrust Washer (1.3” ID x 2.5” OD x 0.16” thick* - replaces JD part number N216568)
* Exact dimensions may vary with supplier.
Key Benefits
Available for John Deere 50, 60 and 90 series openers.
The Needham Ag main opener arm pins and bushings have been field tested for over three years on drills and air-seeders planting large number of acres per row and we have found their service life matches or exceeds OEM pins and bushings.
Our main opener arm pins are made from a very hard, heat treated material that’s precision ground for very tight tolerance and consistency.
Each pin features a chamfer on each end to aid in with its installation. This is especially helpful when trying to install the pins when the openers are still mounted to the drill or air-seeder. The OEM and after market pins are almost flat on the ends and much more difficult to align during installation.
Our main opener arm pins feature a socket to aid with their install and removal. OEM and aftermarket pins are smooth on the ends and are more difficult to drive out (or install) with a punch or air-hammer.
Our hardened and heat treated outer bushings provide a very long service life and are easy to install with our install tool. The hardened install tool is made of hardened steel. It helps remove the old bushings and install the new ones without damage, plus helps align the second bushing with the first one during installation.
We also supply washers to help eliminate the side to side play in the opener mounting points. Both sides of the castings wear over time, so be sure to shim the opener arm as tight as possible with the washer provided.
When to Replace the main opener arm pins and bushings.
We suggest wiggling some of the openers side to side, paying particular attention to openers on the ends or within wheel tracks which generally wear the fastest. When measured at the rear of the disc blade, we suggest replacing the pins and bushings when the total side to side play coming from the main opener arm and bushings reaches or exceeds 1/2” (1/4” in either direction).
In most examples, the main opener arm pin and outer bushings will wear similar to what is illustrated in the image to the right, so just turning the pins often doesn’t fix the play in a satisfactory manner. These very worn OEM pins and bushings produced about 1” of total side to side play (1/2” in either direction) measured at the rear of the disc blade. This much play had serious effects on seed placement, seed firming and seed slot closure because those two wheels are no longer aligned with the seed slot. Growers will also see a rapid increase in the wear of the seed boot when the main opener arm pins and bushings wear significantly, because the disc runs at too small of an angle to create a seed slot wide enough for the seed boot to operate within. Therefore, we suggest replacing the main opener arm pins and bushings when you can measure 1/2” or more of total side to side play (when measured at the rear of the disc blade).
Replacing the Main Opener Arm Pins and Bushings
Some producers prefer to remove the opener from the 4x4” rock-shaft when replacing the main opener arm pins and bushings as illustrated right, plus if you have other parts to replace, its easier to do this with the openers removed. While the pins and bushings can be replaced with the openers still attached, the pins often have “wear steps” as illustrated in the image above right, making them more difficult to remove. Producers will appreciate the socket in the end of our main opener arm pins when it comes to removing them. This is because its difficult to use an air-hammer on the OEM and aftermarket pins with the ends being flat (and extended out above the cast housing) because its hard to hold the air hammer in place.
Main Opener Arm Installation Tool
We offer this heavy duty 2.5 lb installation tool to help remove the old outer bushings, plus help align and install the new ones. It high grade steel design features a socket in the top of the tool to allow the use of an air-hammer with a 1/2” diameter punch. This makes removal of the old bushings and the installation of the new ones much easier.
For more information on the Needham Ag Main Opener Arm Pins and Bushings, watch the YouTube Video below.
For more information, together with pricing – please click the link below.
Product Guide