3-Point Hitch 3 Pt Hitch Category

[jeffscoggins]

I have a category 1 blade that I used on my old big tractor. It won't quite fit on my YM1500. Do I need category 0 implements normally, or is my blade just a bit odd? I have about 23 inches usable width in my lift bars and my blade pins are about 26 inches apart. I tried reversing the pins to the inside but then I have the opposite problem and my pins are too close together to fit.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

 

[ninefinger]

My tractor is just a bit larger so I can not say about the 1500 and I am sure you have already thought about it but have you loosened the lower arm chains? Do not know if it will help but worth a try. My lower arms seemed a bit narrow and putting my box blade on was a wrestling match so now I have a quick hitch.

 

[reb]

I have an off-brand box blade and a JD rotary cutter, both cat 1. My guess is your blade is a bit odd--perhaps someone changed the pin size.

BTW, Ninefinger, the 1500 3 pt hitch does not have chains. It is apparently not a popular design. It uses rigid braces, which allow a very limited adjustment of the distance between the ends of the arms.

 

[jeffscoggins]

You're right, there are no chains, but the link bar is detachable. I tried detaching it but found that that wasn't what was restricting the width of my lift arms. It was actually the stablizer bar that attaches to the lift arm that seems to bind up first. That has to be unbolted, making it inconvenient for doing every time I want to attach and detach my blade. I suppose I could adapt it somehow, like drill through the bolt and use a hitch pin instead. It wouldn't be as strong but I don't use it all that roughly anyway. But it might be better to find a way to adapt the blade instead. Or maybe someone wants to trade a big blade for a smaller one?

Jeff

 

[choffman41]

You could try a Harbor Freight quick hitch. They are on sale for $69 right now. They come in 26 1/2 and 27 1/7" widths. I have one on my 2301 and it works great.

 

[reb]

I should have done this before my earlier post. I have at least 27" usable width between the ends of my 1500D hitch. Perhaps there is something wrong with your setup?

 

[phatgemi]

Could you reverse the pins on the blade???

 

[jeffscoggins]

Oh, I goofed when I said 23 inches usable width. That's more like the inside measurement that I had when I tried reversing the pins. That didn't work either because I had the opposite problem. It's been awhile since I measured it but the outside max is about 26 inches I think, but the pins on the blade are 29 inches apart on the outside. I think I can adapt something. Thanks for the advice!

 

[ninefinger]

BTW, Ninefinger, the 1500 3 pt hitch does not have chains. It is apparently not a popular design. It uses rigid braces, which allow a very limited adjustment of the distance between the ends of the arms.

Thanks reb, I did not have a clue that the 1500 had rigid braces. I can understand it not being a popular design, would seem to make a good case for a quick hitch.

 

[jdmar]

I have a 1500 too. I love the little thing but the lower arms are difficult to use...not much play in them and no stabilization unless you add that yourself. That said, I can usually get it to hook up to most items. On my PTO spreader I have the pins "reversed." NOT pointing both in or both out...but one in and one out. i.e. BOTH pins point to your left or to your right. I back the tractor in front of the spreader then slide it sideways onto the pins. This may not be a strong a connection tih force applied one way but it works well so far for me. Hope this helps.
Peter