Quick hitch for a 3 point hole digger

[SSdoxie]

Brace as you describe will definitely strengthe it, but what about restricting access to hook up PTO? QH is hinderance itself without adding more to it. I was thinking flat stock drilled for the top pin then welded to the current pin clevis, running back to the last hole or farther and welded to the boom, then could put some cross braces on that at each end.
You won't down pressure just with the top link, the lift arms still pivot upwards on mine even with decent knob closed tight. It would require a second cylinder or fab a cylidner attaching point on the boom behind the arc then extend that up and forward so it can connect to the top link cylinder above the QH. You would have to remove the cylidner pin at the QH and connect it directly to the PHD boom so it pushes at a point behind the 3pt arms and lift arc.

 

[travlitt]

Brace as you describe will definitely strengthe it, but what about restricting access to hook up PTO? QH is hinderance itself without adding more to it. I was thinking flat stock drilled for the top pin then welded to the current pin clevis, running back to the last hole or farther and welded to the boom, then could put some cross braces on that at each end.
You won't down pressure just with the top link, the lift arms still pivot upwards on mine even with decent knob closed tight. It would require a second cylinder or fab a cylidner attaching point on the boom behind the arc then extend that up and forward so it can connect to the top link cylinder above the QH. You would have to remove the cylidner pin at the QH and connect it directly to the PHD boom so it pushes at a point behind the 3pt arms and lift arc.

I will take a look at your bracing method. Probably work better than my application.
You are correct in the fact that you are not able to have down pressure using the top link as the source. I tried it and like yours the draft arms pivot up even with the flow control valve closed. I have another idea that I will try today. Hopefully it will work. I will post the results if it works.

 

[SSdoxie]

Your brace idea will be stronger, especially for lateral movement. Hang the gear box back on it, then tape string line where you are planning the brace and see if it is going to hinder room to get PTO on & off.

 

[Fallon]

My current down pressure system is a 5 gallon bucket full of old scrap fence wire & concrete with a chain embedded in it. I attach the chain to a hook at the end over the gearbox.

Adding some hooks at the end will get you the option for attaching a couple hundred lbs of weight. Which is about all the hydraulic down pressure kits for normal PTO PHDs seem to do. Not as cool, but functional & less likely to break things.

If you beef up & brace up the boom, you should be able to add more weight. The further towards or even better past the gearbox, the more force it will develop on the augur. Past the gearbox will create clearance & maneuverability issues though.

 

[travlitt]

My current down pressure system is a 5 gallon bucket full of old scrap fence wire & concrete with a chain embedded in it. I attach the chain to a hook at the end over the gearbox.

Adding some hooks at the end will get you the option for attaching a couple hundred lbs of weight. Which is about all the hydraulic down pressure kits for normal PTO PHDs seem to do. Not as cool, but functional & less likely to break things.

If you beef up & brace up the boom, you should be able to add more weight. The further towards or even better past the gearbox, the more force it will develop on the augur. Past the gearbox will create clearance & maneuverability issues though.

I did not expect the draft arms to raise when I applied the down force with the top cylinder..Live and learn that is the reason I am trying this.

I hope with sharp digging teeth I can get by with out down force.. Weights will work fine for the most part..

 

[travlitt]

Run into some trouble with the drive line clearance. Have to work on that problem. All other problems have been corrected. Range of motion is accomplished with combination of the 3 point control and the hydraulic top link.

 

[Threepoint]

Run into some trouble with the drive line clearance. Have to work on that problem. All other problems have been corrected. Range of motion is accomplished with combination of the 3 point control and the hydraulic top link.

Travlit, good on you for keeping at this. If you get everything sorted out, I suspect a few TBN members will be inspired to do something similar. :thumbsup: I don't use my 3pt PHD much anymore, with no new fencing projects to do. But the last time I did, drilling one 4' deep hole to install a horse waterer, it was such a hassle dealing with the QH that it would have been faster to dig it by hand.

On the down-pressure, it would be nice to have, but without two hydraulic side links, I think you're going to have to do it with weight. And if you have hardpan in Amarillo like some I ran into in Maryland a few years back on a buddy's farm, you'll need a lot of it, probably 300 lbs. Probably the safest way, though. From what I understand, CUTs just aren't designed to deal with the forces a couple of hydraulic side links could generate.

 

[travlitt]

Travlit, good on you for keeping at this. If you get everything sorted out, I suspect a few TBN members will be inspired to do something similar. :thumbsup: I don't use my 3pt PHD much anymore, with no new fencing projects to do. But the last time I did, drilling one 4' deep hole to install a horse waterer, it was such a hassle dealing with the QH that it would have been faster to dig it by hand.

On the down-pressure, it would be nice to have, but without two hydraulic side links, I think you're going to have to do it with weight. And if you have hardpan in Amarillo like some I ran into in Maryland a few years back on a buddy's farm, you'll need a lot of it, probably 300 lbs. Probably the safest way, though. From what I understand, CUTs just aren't designed to deal with the forces a couple of hydraulic side links could generate.

You are correct on the CUTS not being designed for the stress and forces down pressure would generate. That would have been a secondary benefit.This project would work much better with a larger tractor. More ground clearance.
I have a bigger tractor and digger for the heavy work.
Talking about having a hard-pan..we sure do in most places. I was doing some sub-soil work last year for a customer and I could see the ground move 3 to 4 feet out from the shank.

 

[travlitt]

Definitely going to try this. Picked up a plasma cutter with my Christmas bonus for several projects already. I figure worst case my spare PHD gets turned into the lift boom for my chain harrow. Best case it works for the PHD too.

With this design if you lock your 3pt rate of descent knob you'll end up being able to use your toplink as down pressure too. Chance of breaking things that way I suppose, but if you can build it, you can fix it.

Closing the descent knob has no effect on keeping the draft links from raising up when you apply down force. I placed a block under the end of the boom...extended the top link to apply the simulated down force and the 3 point arms raised..so no down force.

 

[travlitt]

My project is successful. I have a 3 point hole digger that will hook up to a quick hitch.
In testing in the shop
1.Range of motion excellent.
2 Can lower the gear box to touch the floor
3.Raise gear box to 6 ft.
4.Drive line problems solved.
5. Will give it a dig test tomorrow.
6. Will try to get a video.