Installation Guide · Patent Pending
A direct bolt-on replacement for the John Deere factory sway block and wedge system. No modifications, no fabrication, no special tools. Typical install runs 30 to 60 minutes per side.
The full PDF has every detail. This quick overview walks you through what to expect before you crack open the wrench drawer.
Installing a RollerGlide Six on a 6R / 6M? Jump to the 6 Series procedure →
Park the tractor on a level surface. Lower the 3-point arms fully and chock the wheels. Remove any implements. Make sure the area around the rockshaft housing and lower arms is clean enough to work in.
Confirm which RollerGlide variant you ordered matches your tractor's hitch hardware. If you have a John Deere 8000 Series (8100/8200/8300/8400), you should have RollerGlide Heritage. If your factory sway block shows part numbers R210605 or R207665, you should have RollerGlide Classic (or Trac for tracked tractors). If it shows R309701 or R274328, you should have RollerGlide Precision. If anything looks off, stop and email orders@truepointag.com before continuing.
Apply penetrating oil to the factory sway block bolts and let it soak for a few minutes. Then back out the bolts, slide the factory sway block and wedge assembly free, and set the OEM parts aside. Save the factory hardware as a spare or to mail back to us if you'd like — we like seeing what we replaced.
Wire-brush any rust, scale, or dried grease off the rockshaft mounting face. RollerGlide is a precision-fit component — it seats best on a clean, flat surface. Wipe everything down before bolting on.
Position the RollerGlide bracket against the rockshaft mount. The cam roller faces inward toward the draft arm. Hand-thread the grade 8 bolts (already torque-spec preset with nylock nuts) into the factory holes and snug them by hand first. Repeat on the other side.
Place the RollerGlide reversible glide plates against the inner draft arm face. The glide plates are sacrificial wear surfaces that protect the hitch contact points while maintaining proper fit and alignment. When wear eventually occurs, the glide plate can be flipped to present a fresh face, or replaced from a glide plate kit.
Torque all bolts to the spec listed in the included documentation. Nylock nuts are pre-installed at the correct values. Do not over-torque — the precision-fit geometry and grade 8 hardware do the work, not crush force.
Cycle the 3-point through its full range with no implement attached. Movement should feel smooth and consistent — rolling, not dragging. Then hook to a known implement and confirm alignment stays consistent through a yard pass before heading to the field.
Dedicated procedure for the John Deere large-frame 6-cylinder 6R and 6M tractors. The Six ships with base plates, glide plates, two bracket assemblies, and the supplied M16 hardware. Retain your factory sway block bolts — you will reuse them.
Remove the factory sway block components from both sides of the tractor. Retain the original mounting bolts — these bolts are reused to install the RollerGlide base plates and glide plates. You will need at least two factory mounting bolts per side. Verify the mounting areas are clear and all factory sway block components have been removed before continuing.
Begin by installing one base plate onto the tractor. The base plate is identified by the 1/2-inch kicker on the bottom. Base plates are side-specific and will only fit the tractor correctly one way. Make sure each base plate is properly positioned and seated against the tractor.
Next, install the glide plate on the outside of the base plate. Installation order:
Reinstall the retained factory bolts through the base plate and glide plate and into the tractor frame. Repeat on the opposite side. Once both sides are installed and properly positioned, tighten the retained factory hardware securely.
Install one RollerGlide bracket onto either draft link arm. The bracket mounts through the existing holes in the draft link arm using the supplied M16 hardware.
Important: On the mounting hole closest to the tractor cab, the bolt must be installed with the BOLT HEAD ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE DRAFT LINK ARM and the WASHER, LOCK WASHER, AND NUT ON THE INSIDE. This orientation is required to provide proper clearance for the cam roller bearing.
The bolt in the other mounting hole may be installed in either direction — whichever provides the easiest installation and access. Once the bracket is properly positioned, install the hardware and tighten securely.
Move to the opposite draft link arm and position the second RollerGlide bracket. This side is designed for a tight fit and will likely require some persuasion to seat into position.
Position the three-point draft arms approximately midway along the glide plates. This keeps the installation force near the center of the plate while seating the second bracket.
Using a hammer, strike only the 1-inch bolt head on the RollerGlide bearing assembly. The assembly is designed to accept installation force at this location. Continue tapping the 1-inch bolt head until the bracket seats into position and the mounting holes begin to align with the holes in the draft link arm. A pick or alignment tool can be used to help locate and line up the mounting holes. Once the holes are aligned, install the supplied M16 hardware and tighten securely.
Before operating the tractor:
Your RollerGlide Six is now installed and ready for work. Say goodbye to the factory sway blocks and enjoy smooth, controlled RollerGlide movement.
Torque specs, exploded views, and the complete step-by-step procedure. Print it, keep it in the shop, or read it on your phone.
Short clips of the RollerGlide cam follower rolling through its full motion arc. Same factory hitch geometry, different contact mechanism.
The install is intentionally simple, but every shop and every tractor is a little different. If you hit anything that doesn't feel right, stop and reach out — we'd rather answer a question than have you force a bolt.
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