3-Point Hitch Newbie Question - 3 Point Hitch Top Link

[welyell]

I have a Kubota MX5800 and I'm using a Land Pride BB3578 Box Scraper. The top link has 3 different attachment points on the tractor. Which attachment point should I be using to operate this piece of equipment? Currently using the center attachment point on the tractor. Thanks, Bill

 

[repete]

I do not know that it makes a lot of difference but I usually use the top hole.

 

[diesel85]

Top or middle hole.

It also depends on how you want the box to act.

Experiment and see what you like... but it also depends on what you are doing too and if you are using the scarifiers or just as a scraper.

 

[Dave M7040]

The purpose of the 3 holes for the top link attachment to the tractor is to allow for fine tuning of DRAFT control.

DRAFT control is intended for ground engaging implements, typically a plow. As the plow digs into the earth it pushes back on the top link thus giving the tractor hydraulics a sense of how hard the plow is to pull through the ground.

The draft control hydraulic circuit automatically raises and lowers the plow depth of ground penetration to keep the draft (tractor pulling effort) constant.

Depending upon how you are using the rear blade DRAFT control may or may not help you.

If you are not using DRAFT control use the top hole.

Dave M7040

 

[mikester]

If you look in your operators manual it gives recommended positions based on the type of implement used, its a good reference.

 

[Tinhack]

A box blade has sides and tines to restrict depth of engagement. Draft control shouldn't be an issue--It shouldn't even be used for a box blade. Your top link should stay in the least sensitive position for ALL attachments EXCEPT plows. A box blade is NOT a plow.

Unless, of course, your tractor is a tank, the BB is a new EA Gen2 and you're ripping up pavement. :laughing:

 

[JWR]

The purpose of the 3 holes for the top link attachment to the tractor is to allow for fine tuning of DRAFT control.

DRAFT control is intended for ground engaging implements, typically a plow. As the plow digs into the earth it pushes back on the top link thus giving the tractor hydraulics a sense of how hard the plow is to pull through the ground.

The draft control hydraulic circuit automatically raises and lowers the plow depth of ground penetration to keep the draft (tractor pulling effort) constant.

Depending upon how you are using the rear blade DRAFT control may or may not help you.

If you are not using DRAFT control use the top hole.

Dave M7040

I agree with diesel85's comments. I never disagree with Dave7040 who does the best research around and is way senior to me. I will nitpick Dave just a tiny bit. The Draft control sensing is on lift, not pulling force. Some newer tractors do Draft sensing on the lower arms rather than the top link attach point (which means only up/down, not pulling force.) Draft control only lets up and reduces lift at the right sensed times in order to gain a more constant depth for plow work. I had not heard that the 3 holes relate to fine tuning of Draft control but could be, I'll take Dave's word for it. To me the 3 holes relate more to the arc of implement movement when raising it and thus indirectly to the amount of lift force required of the two lift arms. For my work (and I think the majority of users) DRAFT control is never used or needed.

Anytime box scrapers come up as a topic I always inject that an hydraulic top link is so very very handy with a box scraper, allowing you to adjust cutting depth/angle without leaving the seat. At my "age and level of feeble" I essentially can't/won't use a box scraper without an hyd top link because of the excessive number of climbs up and down from the tractor without it.

 

[welyell]

Thanks All! I'll switch it to the top attachment point and see if I notice any difference. I've been using the box blade to level out ground, both pushing and pulling (with and without the scarifiers when pulling), adjusting the length of the top link for each operation. I've also had to do some leveling cross-slope, using the adjustable lift arm to set it at the angles I need to get a level area on the cross slope. REALLY WISH I had the hydraulic adjustable lift arm (Side Link), but it's apparently not compatible when you have the backhoe subframe.

 

[JWR]

Wonder why an hydraulic top link could not be used due to a backhoe subframe ?? I've never had one of those so no experience. BUT Any top link no matter what 3pt configuration is involved attaches at 2 points -- the tractor and the implement. Tell me how anything stops you from placing an hydraulic top link between those same 2 points using the same 2 pins ?

 

[welyell]

Wonder why an hydraulic top link could not be used due to a backhoe subframe ?? I've never had one of those so no experience. BUT Any top link no matter what 3pt configuration is involved attaches at 2 points -- the tractor and the implement. Tell me how anything stops you from placing an hydraulic top link between those same 2 points using the same 2 pins ?

Not the hydraulic top link, but the hydraulic adjustable lifting arm (Side Link).