aftermarket 3-point tensioners / better turnbuckles?

[orangetree]

I'm looking for a replacement/improved version of the side-tensioner for my 3point hitch.

I'm finally getting around to installing my weld-on Euro hooks. It will be fantastic to finally have quick hitch - and just in time as I happen to have a lot of implement I'll be doing this spring. I went with the "euro" style over a classic quick hitch because one of my implements isn't compatible, and the quick-hitch frame slightly reduces visability & leverage. However, I suppose one big advantage of a fixed "yoke" quick-hitch is you don't ever mess with the lower-arm tensioners. They are a pain to adjust, and by far the slowest task in switching implements.

I've done some quick searching, but feel there must be some way-easier-to-use design out there for 3point tensioning, versus basic turnbuckles which are time consuming, and somewhat awkward to get a wrench on.

Note I'm aware of pin-style, but the problem is these are not tight. When using anything that generates significant side load (blade) or especially a lot of vibration (snowblower, auger), the system bounces around like crazy if I haven't "tightened" the lower arms outward - so I'm looking for something that can be snugged up laterally.

 

[ptsg]

I think it was @tacticalturnip that installed a set of telescopic stabilizers on his CK2610 but could be wrong. I'm sure he will chime in soon.

 

[orangetree]

If there was a "load binder

I think it was @tacticalturnip that installed a set of telescopic stabilizers on his CK2610 but could be wrong. I'm sure he will chime in soon.

Hope he does ... note when I've heard the term "telescoping" it's been for something like this - which is great for some uses, but as in the OP (I believe) I need something that can snug it up to prevent the whole implement from rattling & jumping around.

Even something like a ratcheting load-binder might work; I've seen ones with a detachable lever, but they are all too long. If this is a workable route, hoping to hear from someone that's done it if (A) they stay put (there are no lock nuts) and (B) if the ratchet mechanism holds up to the use case (a trailer is a lot cleaner)

 

[ptsg]

Yes, I meant those telescopic stabilizers.

A bit hard to see but here is mine:

Having a bit of side to side play is actually a good thing.

On my tractor, looking at your picture, yours too, the stabilizer pivot shaft is not perfectly in the same axis as the pivot shaft for the lift arms, which means if you adjust the side to side play with the arms lowered, it will most likely put things on a bit as you raise the 3 pt.

 

[orangetree]

Yes, I meant those telescopic stabilizers.

A bit hard to see but here is mine:

View attachment 3216654

Having a bit of side to side play is actually a good thing.

On my tractor, looking at your picture, yours too, the stabilizer pivot shaft is not perfectly in the same axis as the pivot shaft for the lift arms, which means if you adjust the side to side play with the arms lowered, it will most likely put things on a bit as you raise the 3 pt.

Well, that's a good point. They are close enough I hadn't been concerned about this - but I probably should have ascertained how off-axis they are.

Tractor is at the cabin, but from the pics I can find on my PC they look pretty darn close.

Considering there is flex everywhere, and that "loose" versus tight is already at least a full turn or so of the turnbuckle, I'm already relying on it "flexing" some to be tight.

I am by NO means an expert here, but anecdotally it does seem to me that the huge amount of vibration/shaking has got to be worse? But when I'm up there next week I'll figure out exactly how aligned (or not) the turnbuckle is.

 

[orangetree]

For a moment I thought I had a good solution - now that I'm moving to the "ball joint" connection (pic attached for anyone not already familiar), I could just "fix" the balls side-to-side. I have to leave a set of balls per-implement, anyway, so just cutting a spacer per implement would be easy.

but then I came back to my senses - the motion here is because the lower arms make a trapezoid - the whole thing can "rack" at will side-to-side with whatever play the side-stabilizers allow

Perhaps something along these lines could still help, though: add a quarter inch of soft (rubber, conveyorbelt, etc) damper in between two heavy washers, on the outside of each ball. Then the the stabilizers are tightening against this rubber, providing some give against the geometry issue you bring up.

 

[HybridVigor]

The trick will be finding one compatible to your tractor but I really love these Deere 5 series style turnbuckles. They are threaded on one end for fine adjustment, but also have pins for quick adjustment. The best part is with one quick quarter turn they go from a standard Cat 1 width to standard Cat 2. I have a lot of implements of both sizes so this really makes hooking up my euro hooks easy.

Most of the pin style are designed in such a way that you can get a pretty fine adjustment by alternating which hole gets the pin in both the outer and inner tube which are at slightly different lengths apart.

As others have mentioned some play is a good thing. If there is no slack you risk bending and breaking things. Obviously the opposite can be true if you have a large heavy implement swinging around wildly while you’re in full bunny mode.

https://a.co/d/6UbiGkQ

 

[HybridVigor]

It’s also worth mentioning that there is a bit of a trade off between speed and tension. I replaced my L Series Kubota turnbuckles with the pin style and I cannot get them as tight as I can with the Deere style or the old turnbuckles. For me this only is a problem when cultivating where you want as little side to side play as possible.

 

[orangetree]

these Deere 5 series style turnbuckles. They are threaded on one end for fine adjustment, but also have pins for quick adjustment.

Do you have a P/N or an image from search? I am not seeing anything obvious in an image search (and the vendor websites seem worthless as none have any pictures...)

 

[HybridVigor]

That’s because I forgot the link. Sorry about that! https://a.co/d/6UbiGkQ