3-Point Hitch 3pt lifting height?

[Woody65]

I am new to operating tractors but have been having a ball the last month settling in to my new to me JD4300. When I lift an implement ( BH or finish mower) on the 3pt, I notice that it only comes up off the ground 5-10 inches. Is this normal or do I have the top link adjusted wrong. I have seen pics and videos of tractors with these implements at a 30 degree angle ( 20-30 inches) from the ground. Are they using a hyd top link to get the implement that high? Thanks :drink:

 

[reggiejr]

Your lifted height is set by the top link the shorter it is the higher your implement will travel when you raise your 3ph.
A hydraulic top link would be handy if you needed the clearance traveling then it could be leveled out before/or during use.

 

[94BULLITT]

If you shorten the toplink it will come up higher. You may want to read your owners manual to be sure you have it adjusted properly for the mower.

 

[Woody65]

When I hooked up to the BH, I connected the lower arems first and had to adjust the top link out 2 inches to make the connection. Are you saying that after hooking up I should then adjust it back in to allow for a higher clearance when lifting?

 

[94BULLITT]

When I hooked up to the BH, I connected the lower arems first and had to adjust the top link out 2 inches to make the connection. Are you saying that after hooking up I should then adjust it back in to allow for a higher clearance when lifting?

If you need the higher clearance then yes shorten it.

 

[jeff9366]

On my Kubota, at the tractor end there at TWO positions/pins where the Top Link may be connected, one above the other.

The top position/pin is the "normal" connection position for tractor end of the Top Link for most implements.
Lower position give much increased lift. I use the LOWER POSITION for my King Kutter 48" rotary mower. It lifts high.

Using the top/normal pin KK 48" RM only lifts about 10"

I have seen four positions, stacked, for the tractor end of Top Lift on big Ag Tractors.

( I also need the lower pin position to lift my Rollover Box Blade high enough.)

 

[Oliver1655]

How high will the lift arms themselves raise? If you feel they are not raising as high as your owner's manual states they should, I would check your hydraulic fluid level.

 

[bigbull338]

most tractors have a max 2ft lifting hight depending on what implement your using at the time.shredders wont be to far off the ground no matter how your toplink is adjusted.

 

[Baby Grand]

I am new to operating tractors but have been having a ball the last month settling in to my new to me JD4300. When I lift an implement ( BH or finish mower) on the 3pt, I notice that it only comes up off the ground 5-10 inches. Is this normal or do I have the top link adjusted wrong. I have seen pics and videos of tractors with these implements at a 30 degree angle ( 20-30 inches) from the ground. Are they using a hyd top link to get the implement that high? Thanks :drink:

That height (5-10") sounds about right for my tractor with the brush hog on and top link adjusted to allow some float. Maybe closer to 10-12". There are a lot of different ways to alter this geometry, so spend some time looking at all the different pin/hole combinations there are on your machine. Also, read your manual and do some searches on this site for more adjustment ideas.

 

[TripleR]

Check your lower lift arms also, some have two holes to adjust height v lift power/leverage.

 

[Eric_Phillips]

I am surprised no one has cautioned about the adjustment for clearance when lifted versus when mowing. On my tractor when the top link is adjusted correctly for mowing allowing it to float the rear wheel will barely come off the ground when I raise the 3pt hitch. I do have a hydraulic top link which makes it easy to shorten if I need to lift the mower higher for transport. Shortening the top link will allow you to raise the implement higher but this may not be the correct adjustment when using the implement, just keep that in mind. Also remember the higher the implement is the higher your center of gravity is. Then conversely a big mower hanging low off the back could make the front end light. It is all a balancing act. Have fun with the new toy and pay close attention to how things feel when driving in order to stay out of trouble.

 

[Woody65]

Sorry for the delay in responding. My son got married and had to tend to my fatherly duties. Thanks for all the helpful responses. I will take them all into account the next time I get up to the property and get out on the tractor.:drink:I spent my first extended time in the seat repairing an old logging road with 40 tons of gravel. Found out I could really use a box blade or a rear blade but had a lot of fun and gained needed experience on the tractor and loader.

 

[Mark Page]

Check out tripler's suggestion. I had the same problem with my new Massey. I couldn't lift my 7ft finish mower high enough for the rear wheels to clear the ground for transport. On my dealers advice I went the second set of holes and picked up about 12" of height. To change blades I have to shorten the top link all the way so I can crawl underneath.

 

[RaydaKub]

To change blades I have to shorten the top link all the way so I can crawl underneath.

...with appropriate bracing of course...

 

[D7E]

...with appropriate bracing of course...

Easier to just drop the front wheels in a ditch or down over a step !

 

[RaydaKub]

Easier to just drop the front wheels in a ditch or down over a step !

No, the point is please don't rely on the hydraulics to hold a massive weight up while you crawl underneath it. The neighbor kid crawls on your tractor while you are laying under there and kicks the lever by accident (or any other unforeseen problem). It's not the weight or accessability, it's the safety.

 

[TripleR]

We always put jack stands to support our cutters when working under them and lower it on to them with no weight being supported by the 3PH.

 

[Baby Grand]

Just say no to cinderblocks.

 

[Woody65]

Check out tripler's suggestion. I had the same problem with my new Massey. I couldn't lift my 7ft finish mower high enough for the rear wheels to clear the ground for transport. On my dealers advice I went the second set of holes and picked up about 12" of height. To change blades I have to shorten the top link all the way so I can crawl underneath.

I will try that next time I get on the tractor. Thanks