3-Point Hitch How Much Sway?

   / How Much Sway? #1  

bradrich18

Bronze Member
Joined
Aug 5, 2011
Messages
83
Location
Central Alabama
Tractor
John Deere 1026R
How much sway should I have when using a box blade? Is there such a thing as too loose or too tight?
 
   / How Much Sway? #2  
I leave 3 or 4 inches of sway.
 
   / How Much Sway? #3  
Too tight would be if the sway chains or buckles bind up real tight in high (or low) position. IMO
Too loose would be if the arms contact the rear tires when using the blade.

In between would be whatever your preference is, as it can be annoying bouncing back and forth when in the "up" carrying position. Turns when working the box blade will be a bit easier if there is some slack in the chains.
 
   / How Much Sway? #4  
I can't allow any sway or my bars rub my tires. I keep it adjusted pretty tight. Doesn't seem to be a problem, especially with a Box blade.
 
   / How Much Sway?
  • Thread Starter
#5  
Thanks for the quick replies. I got the box blade two days ago, and it's the first time I've ever used one. I've got to mess around with it a little, but hopefully it won't rain this weekend and I can spend some time learning how to use it. I appreciate any tips, tricks, suggestions, etc... that anyone has. Thanks.
 
   / How Much Sway? #6  
Pay attention to the length of the top link of the 3PH this will greatly effect how aggressive the BB cuts and loads up. Tilt it forward(shorten the top link) and the blade of the box will dig in a bit more. Tilt it back (lengthen the top link) and the blade will not dig in as much and helps you disperse what you have in the box.. You can crown a road by tilting the BB with your side link. :thumbsup:
 
   / How Much Sway? #7  
How much sway should I have when using a box blade? Is there such a thing as too loose or too tight?

Keep an eye out for problems when the 3pt is at the highest lift point - whenever you have the sway linkage kinda snug.

Too tight can result in broken sway linkages when you lift the 3pt up.

AKfish
 
   / How Much Sway? #8  
Thanks for the quick replies. I got the box blade two days ago, and it's the first time I've ever used one. I've got to mess around with it a little, but hopefully it won't rain this weekend and I can spend some time learning how to use it. I appreciate any tips, tricks, suggestions, etc... that anyone has. Thanks.


Make sure you have a small amount of play, the box blade should be able to rock back and forth about an inch or two.


My best advice about using a boxblade is to go very slow, stop forward travel as needed to adjust the box up and down. You need to move slow enough to make real time adjustments for example if your front wheels drop down into a low spot you will need to lower the boxblade to counteract the raising behind the rear axle. Practice makes perfect enjoy the new tool.
 
   / How Much Sway? #9  
Pay attention to the length of the top link of the 3PH this will greatly effect how aggressive the BB cuts and loads up. Tilt it forward(shorten the top link) and the blade of the box will dig in a bit more. Tilt it back (lengthen the top link) and the blade will not dig in as much and helps you disperse what you have in the box.. You can crown a road by tilting the BB with your side link. :thumbsup:

Wouldn't a longer upper link cause it to dig in more and a shorter one less. :confused2:
 
   / How Much Sway? #10  
Wouldn't a longer upper link cause it to dig in more and a shorter one less. :confused2:
If the tractor is going forward, a longer top link will cause the BB to dig less. If the tractor is going backwards using the BB in bulldozer mode, a longer top link will cause the BB will dig down more. The angle of the BB blade from front to back determines how much the blade digs into the dirt.

Obed
 

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