Need info for 3-pt on a 990

[J P]

Howdy. New to this forum and tractor ownership.

I recently purchased a used 990 (2000yr) that came with an 8B backhoe and 430 FEL but no 3-pt hitch linkage or lower draft bars/links. Previous owner (first) says he never had them. I need to skid some 75 or so logs and I'm thinking I should take the BH off and get the 3-pt operating for this. After getting a quote from a dealer and not being able to locate any used parts yet, I'm considering fabricating the draft links. Apparently there was a change to these sometime in 2005? pre s/n 691474. I'm curious as to what the difference is between the newer and older styles. The list price on the older style is double the newer ones.

I'm hoping someone here might have one of these older machines and be so kind as to share the measurements of the draft links. And maybe a photo or two.



Another question: Is leaving the BH on and skidding logs backwards off the FEL a bad idea? I read somewhere that pulling from the front is not a good thing for the tractor. I understand about keeping the pulling point low for safety and I can see where side loading the FEL probably isn't good. Anything else? This machine has a grab hook on top of the bucket and a hitch ball in the bucket.

 

[Henri88]

Welcome to TBN. Someone should chime in soon.

 

[AKfish]

I had a JD 970 TLB for nearly 5 years. And many of the external part's and attachments (430 loader, 300CX loader, tires/rims, etc.) were compatible between that machine and your 990. Of course, the same was true for the 1070. And the newest model, 4005.

If you could find the 3pt hardward for any of those tractors - your 990 would be in business - IMO.

That said; why not build a harness of heavy tow strap webbing and shackles and pull off the bottom of the hoe? (Not the boom or the dipper arm.) It's every bit as stout as the 3pt hitch would be - maybe more so. And you've got the additional weight/ballast of the hoe to help the machine work it's way through the tougher traction areas.

Of course, if your load were to hang up or get wedged, etc. a minute or so with that backhoe bucket might just solve that problem, too!

The major disadvantage would be that you couldn't elevate the chain or tow stap like using the lift arms on the 3pt. But you could fashion a sled for the butt end of the logs.

I'd be very, very leery of building the lower link arms. Unless you could pattern the ball swivels and the double angle on the lower arms - you might just find yourself with one or a pair of snapped off lower draft link pin attachments and possibly even a cracked or holed rear transaxle housing!

My $0.02

AKfish

 

[J P]

Thanks for the feedback.

AKfish, one of the first things I did with the tractor was to hook up to that point on the bottom of the hoe you are talking about and pulled the butt of a hung up tree. (Ask me about frozen hinge wood when felling side leaners. ) That did look like as stout a place as any to hook up to.

With the 3-pt I was thinking I would build a skid plate kind of attachment and be able to lift the log ends. I have a plastic skidding cone that I've used with a portable winch and it works surprisingly well and is more durable than I had expected. I need to get this work done so maybe I'll just use what I've got until I get the 3-pt parts together.

Just wondering what, if anything, might be special about the draft links on the 990, particularly the older ones. A local ranch supply carries the Koch hitch parts shown on this link. Maybe those would work?

 

[AKfish]

Thanks for the feedback.

AKfish, one of the first things I did with the tractor was to hook up to that point on the bottom of the hoe you are talking about and pulled the butt of a hung up tree. (Ask me about frozen hinge wood when felling side leaners. ) That did look like as stout a place as any to hook up to.

With the 3-pt I was thinking I would build a skid plate kind of attachment and be able to lift the log ends. I have a plastic skidding cone that I've used with a portable winch and it works surprisingly well and is more durable than I had expected. I need to get this work done so maybe I'll just use what I've got until I get the 3-pt parts together.

Just wondering what, if anything, might be special about the draft links on the 990, particularly the older ones. A local ranch supply carries the Koch hitch parts shown on this link. Maybe those would work?

They might work... couple of observations, though. The adjustable stabilizer arms (side/sway links) - how are they adjustable?

Lift arm leveling assembly - where is the adjustment? Deere (and many other manufacturers) have a fixed arm on the left side (it is threaded but not generally moved) and the right side is the moveable with a hand crank, etc. The Koch system doesn't look to be easily changed.

Upper and lower stay straps? Using these would give me some concern. I could imagine having those bind, bend or otherwise conflict with the toplink or pto shield cover. I've only seen those used on the early Ford's, etc. (I have them for my 9N.)

The only other consideration would be - are they heavy-duty enough? Something that fits on my 9N would maybe last 30 minutes on your 990!!!

Sometimes the money you save is just a "down payment" on the next catastrophe!

AKfish

 

[sal64]

hello maby these pics will help you.

 

[J P]

hello maby these pics will help you.

Thanks, I really appreciate you posting these. Good pics.

What year is your tractor? Pre s/n 691474?


Edit to add: From looking a parts diagram it looks like you have the older style turnbuckles on the sway chains.

 

[sal64]

its a 2002

 

[robpm]

JP those are the earlier draft links etc. Mine are all black and are different. See if Sal64 would do some measurements for you.

 

[sal64]

i would be glade to do some measurements but what should i mesure?