The rod is made from 1/2" stock, you should drive the front wheels of your tractor onto 2X lumber (laying flat) put the lift all the way down and let the blade rest on the floor, measure the distance between the rod holes. Then bend yourself a new rod and drill it for pins.
That's about the quickest easiest way to get it done.
I think Roland had a nice write-up about it with pictures, but I can't find it.
