3pt Hitch Question

   / 3pt Hitch Question #1  

Billy_S

Gold Member
Joined
Mar 30, 2006
Messages
260
Location
Central IL
Tractor
Kubota BX2230, JD 400, AC 190XT
It seems to me I have seen a link here, although I am unable to find it now, about what the different components of a 3pt hitch do. You know, if the angle of your implement is too steep, adjust this. If the implement sways too far to the side on a hill, adjust that. In an ideal world, one in which I am much taller, this link would also tell me how to maintain the different components.

Anyone know this link or where I can get the info?

Thanks much.
 
   / 3pt Hitch Question #2  
I think I can make it short and sweet for you.
You have two arms, the hitch arms, the left is pretty well fixed, the right (looking facing the back of the tractor) has a turnbuckle or a crank to adjust the height of the R arm.

You have a top link that attaches as the third point. This is also adjustable. Shorten the top link and you'll see the front of the attachment go down, lengthen it, and the front of the attachment will go up. Depending on what attachment you're using, more aggressive usually means shortening the top link.

Back to your implement, let the arms be just below the attachment pins as you can lift the arm onto the pin that way. Loosen the sway chains so that you have some play in the arms from side to side.
Hook up the left first, then the right. Adjust the R height if you need to to get it on. Put the pin through the sockets and pin and lock it in.
Hook up the top link and pin it. You may need to adjust the length to get it between the mounting bracket.

Once you're hooked up, on a level surface, look to see if the attachment is spaced evenly between the tires. If not, adjust the sway chains to make it so, and tighten them down, leaving just a little 1"-2" play (mowers usually should not have any play).
Look to see if the attachment is level on both ends. If not, adjust the turnbuckle/crank on the R hitch arm to make it level.
Adjust the top link so that you have it where you want the front to engage the ground, etc.

You don't want a lot of sway because the arms can hit the tires, and also, on a slope, the momentum of the attachment swinging could cause you to turn over.

If you have any other questions, we're here.
John
 
   / 3pt Hitch Question #3  
Another point, as it happened to me.

Make sure that the top link is always the same length or a bit shorter than the lower links. Otherwise, raising the lift arms will tend to rotate the rear of your implement towards the ground. Some implements will have an adjustment to relocate the lift pins. Do this if the position they're in causes the top link to be too long.

Ralph
 
   / 3pt Hitch Question
  • Thread Starter
#4  
Thanks, gentlemen. That is exactly the info I was looking for.
 
 
 
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