Stabilizer Bar Bracket Question

My MF50 has only one stabilizer bar bracket under the rear axle. From my manuals, it appears that those brackets were optional and the one on my tractor is not original. It appears to be a "universal" or perhaps even a homemade deal. It is a piece of angle with holes. I priced a new bracket from MF, what looks like a cast piece, and they only want about $79ish for it - OUCH!!!! I found another "universal" bracket for about $6 and brought it home. In comparing the two that I have, the holes are vertically off center from the bracket I have by about 1/2". My question is - will this cause trouble when lifting my brush hog? Do these brackets have to be exactly identical or can I dial out the difference in the lift arm crank? Finally, would one of you have a pair of the cast stabilizer brackets you might want to part with?

Thanks!
Bill J

First: There is a right side bracket and a left side bracket. Universal brackets normaly have
LH and RH stamped on side of bracket. The pin that
holds the stabilizer bar has to be exactly face
to face with the lift arm bolt under the diff.
Universal brackets have 3 or 4 holes in order to
put the pin at right place for different tractors.

In order to avoid damage and injuries...
With engine not running and lift arms at lower position install the drawbar on the lift arms put stabilizer bars and lift the drawbar by hand
to the higher position...if you feel no resistance
and everything move up and down freely you are in
bussiness.If you feel resistance and cannot
lift arms by hand to the top position check the brackets
and "DO NOT" operate lift whith engine with stab bars installed.

Be careful and wear working gloves

Hope it helps

Joe Ferguson