While we're doing rookie questions -

[Tom_Trees]

Is it acceptable practice or poor form to use a five-pound persuader to line attachments up with the three-point hitch?

Tom K

[StanInCalif]

Entirely acceptable, Tom- I use a short (30 in.), but very stout, bar that doubles as a hammer.

<font color=green>stan</font color=green>

[ronjhall]

Tom
No it's not.[img]/w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif[/img] But we all have the same tools or even larger ones to hook up attachments to 3 ph.[img]/w3tcompact/icons/tongue.gif[/img][img]/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif[/img]

[ddl]

there are always this topic, how do i hook up my attachment. What i do is adjust the 3pt arms sway adjustment as wide as posible back up to the attachemnt and hook up the attachment. I don't understand the problem people have. When you back up to the tool, just line up the center link on your tractor to the center of the tool.

Dan L

[Youare]

Because of my poor backing ability I sometimes use a 2X4 to position the tool I am connecting to the 3PH. The thought of using a hammer to beat soemthing into submission does not appeal to me. I have found that if I disconnect and connect things on level ground the whole business goes much better.

Randy

[RSeymour]

When I worked on a bulb farm in the 60s I would back up to the implement, hook up one draft link & then I could either pull foreward or back up to line up the other. Now, with my TC29D and adjustable draft links it is a no brainer. Of course, implements that do not store flat take a little more creativity.

[TerryinMD]

The answer is quite obvious.... All of the above. [img]/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif[/img]

I'm a relative newbie (4/01 to be exact)to tractordom and during the first couple of months of learning I did a lot of cussing and had a lot of boo-boos.

What I have found to be the greatest help is to have the implements on a hard level surface. It is much easier to slide a 500lb bushhog on concrete rather than uneven soil. So a portion of our parking area is dedicated to implements. I wanted to have a concrete floor and the poles in place for a pole barn this fall, but the CFO has redirected my priorities. [img]/w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif[/img]

Terry

[mikim]

I just use the heel of my boot - figger if it takes more than that I need to take another shot at backing up to it. Adjustable links sure help too.
mike

[bpence]

5 lb. hammer, 2x4, boot heel, etc. etc. etc.

All are acceptable "assistants" when hooking up 3-pt implements.

Bob Pence

[DaveM]

Tom,

I like all the replies you've got so far. I need to get some kind of bar as using my heel gets old quick and doesn't always cut it for me. [img]/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Another technique I sometimes use (BUT AM NOT ADVOCATING) if my backing up isn't dead on is as follows: I try to make sure I can connect the left lower link first. If gentle persuasion doesn't allow me to then connect the right link I'll stand to the right of the tractor and nudge the hydro pedal with my right hand, forward or backward until it is lined up. This may seem (or be!) a little dangerous to some but I do this on level ground and have never felt threatened. I learned this trick from my dealer and he has all his fingers and toes.

Anyone else do this? Any strong, compelling reasons not to?

Dave