3-point Hitch Backhoe Top Link Buckled: A Cautionary Tale

[2458n]

One of my three point hitch backhoe has a solid 2x2 inch steel top link. Arps 730. All the holes drilled on this top link helped in the failure. This attachment has to take all the beating transmitted from the dipper stick, bucket curl, side swing and other movements. There will be a lawyer involved.

 

[Rustyiron]

Years ago, like 25, I had a Wood's 3pt hoe. I worked it hard and it never hurt itself or the tractor. Under 5 min. to have it parked and ready for another attachment.

 

[Btown]

I seriously doubt the three point lift arms are strong enough to bend that metal with the backhoe on. I think it's much more likely that the out riggers sank in loose dirt or were not fully down when the backhoe was an operation.

If you lose footing on your out Riggers all of that down pressure is directly on your hitch. It can be very substantial. Probably very fortunate you didn't break something on the tractor itself. Keep a close eye on your out Riggers. If they start to sink readjust and never operate without them down.

I think if it sank the bend would be in the opposite direction. The op has yet to respond so who knows.

 

[darmstrong2319]

Looks like someone tried to raise the 3- point up which you can't do with a 3- point backhoe with the mid bracing attached. I had one similar and once attached the 3- point lever had to be kept down

 

[Mad Mac]

I contacted WoodMaxx, sent them pictures and they said
the only way that could happen is by raising the lift arms.

The tip about lowering the lift lever and raising the draft lever sounds like a good one.
We did not lower the lift arm lever after hitching it up and our draft was full forward.

Thanks to all of you for your observations and suggestions.

 

[RickB]

I contacted WoodMaxx, sent them pictures and they said
the only way that could happen is by raising the lift arms.

The tip about lowering the lift lever and raising the draft lever sounds like a good one.
We did not lower the lift arm lever after hitching it up and our draft was full forward.

Thanks to all of you for your observations and suggestions.

Draft control lever needs to be set at 'minimum' or 'position', not draft, whichever way that is for YOUR tractor.
Tell the Woodmax folks their POS design should withstand 3PT lifting forces and send the hitch flow over the relief valve, not fold up like a cheap suit.

 

[ovrszd]

Years ago, like 25, I had a Wood's 3pt hoe. I worked it hard and it never hurt itself or the tractor. Under 5 min. to have it parked and ready for another attachment.

Yep, my neighbor's hoe is a Woods. Seems to be very well built. Biggest stress is on the transmission park pin (JD4440).

 

[ovrszd]

Draft control lever needs to be set at 'minimum' or 'position', not draft, whichever way that is for YOUR tractor.
Tell the Woodmax folks their POS design should withstand 3PT lifting forces and send the hitch flow over the relief valve, not fold up like a cheap suit.

My neighbor's Woods has two stickers on it that state "lower 3pt lever, set Draft at maximum". Seems the Draft lifts to keep the slack out of everything but yet won't overload the hydraulics.

 

[RickB]

My neighbor's Woods has two stickers on it that state "lower 3pt lever, set Draft at maximum". Seems the Draft lifts to keep the slack out of everything but yet won't overload the hydraulics.

I'm going to respectfully disagree. If the draft control system calls for the hitch to raise, that is what the hitch will try to do. My Woods BH80-X has specific instructions to set draft control to "heavy" which limits draft sensitivity and reaction. Here's a copy and paste from the Woods OM.

�� Place and keep 3-point lift quadrant lever in lowered
position at all times.
�� If tractor is equipped with draft sensing control,
set control to “HEAVY” (minimum sensitivity) position

 

[ovrszd]

I'm going to respectfully disagree. If the draft control system calls for the hitch to raise, that is what the hitch will try to do. My Woods BH80-X has specific instructions to set draft control to "heavy" which limits draft sensitivity and reaction. Here's a copy and paste from the Woods OM.

�� Place and keep 3-point lift quadrant lever in lowered
position at all times.
�� If tractor is equipped with draft sensing control,
set control to “HEAVY” (minimum sensitivity) position

No disagreement felt. Let's clarify. On his hoe, it might say "heavy" rather than "maximum", I'll look today for sure. Whichever word is used, it implies the Draft needs to be activated. On his tractor that requires moving the Draft lever into an active position. It seems to minimize the 3pt slack or slop when in use???