Needham Ag - Installing MAIN OPENER ARM PINS AND BUSHINGS on John Deere Openers.

A short 4 minute video which explains how to remove and reinstall new main opener arm pins and bushings on John Deere 50, 60 and 90 series openers. Some growers remove the old, and install new main opener arm pins and bushings with the openers still installed on the drill. However, we have found our method to be faster, especially if you have other parts to replace on the openers.

[@EDBZ28]

I’ve been told if it hasn’t been done so, you can turn the pin 180 degrees and it’ll tighten things up again....just curious of your thoughts? At what point do you know to turn it to ensure getting most wear outta original side?

[@NeedhamAg]

We have found that the outer bushings wear at approximately the same rate the center pins. This is especially true with cheap aftermarket outer bushings, which are MUCH softer than OEM or extended wear Needham Ag MOA kits.
So, if the outer bushings account for at least half of the total side to side play, rotating the pins 180 degrees doesn't change the amount of side to side travel at all, all it does is keeps the opener running at maybe 6 degrees (rather than maybe 5 with worn pins and bushings).
But once the angle drops much below 7 degrees (factory opener angle with new pins/bushings), the cutting performance in damp/tough residue drops quickly. Therefore, by the time growers are contemplating turning the pins, their bushings and pins are both shot and need to be replaced.

[@detroitdiesel2983]

I turned my pins 180 degrees a couple years ago, eliminated 50% - 80% of the side-to-side travel. Eventually I will replace pins and bushings, but this will get me by for quite a while.

[@EDBZ28]

@@detroitdiesel2983 hey thanks for sharing.