3pt hitch - adjustable side link use & does anyone ever add a second adjustable?

[oldafretired]

Re: 3pt hitch - adjustable side link use & does anyone ever add a second adjustable?

Both left and right are adjustable on mine and works great.

 

[Tractor Time with Tim]

Re: 3pt hitch - adjustable side link use & does anyone ever add a second adjustable?

On my tractor, I have one adjustable link that attaches to the right lower arm. I think this is called the side link, or the lift arm leveler.

Do I understand correctly that this is primarily used for tilting an attachment to the left or right?

With a small tractor, I'm also thinking about how I can adjust for implements (i.e. subsoiler) that can't be lifted high enough, or drop low enough. Does anyone ever replace the fixed left link with a second adjustable side link, for the sake of lowering or raising the lift range of the hitch?

I believe you CAN replace the fixed lifting rod with an adjustable one. I know you can on the Deere 1-series. I may do it myself, for the same reason you mention... to get another inch or two of lift height.

 

[Tractor Time with Tim]

Re: 3pt hitch - adjustable side link use & does anyone ever add a second adjustable?

Tim's 1025 has a similar problem, he used the heavy hitch subsoiler, he got 14-18 inches out of it, if memory serves. It has an adjustable shank, so you can go as shallow as you need to.

Video:

Thanks for linking our video.
As you saw there, we were getting about 16" of depth. Do folks really even need THAT much depth?

The Deere 1025r could not have pulled it any deeper, and was straining to pull it at that depth. However, it did fine at 12-14 inches.

Tim

 

[jeff9366]

Re: 3pt hitch - adjustable side link use & does anyone ever add a second adjustable?

I believe you CAN replace the fixed lifting rod with an adjustable one. I know you can on the Deere 1-series. I may do it myself, for the same reason you mention... to get another inch or two of lift height.

The OP needs minimum of 6" of additional lift. Better 8" of additional lift.

Should he get a full size Subsoiler in the ground, a doubtful proposition, his 1,450 pound tractor, with less than 22.5-horsepower at over 5,000' altitude, will have neither the tractor weight nor power to pull a Subsoiler through high plains soil.

Subsoilers are best used in dry, not moist soil. OP needs at least a 2,600 pound bare tractor weight to pull a full size Subsoiler in dry ground.

 

[jenkinsph]

Re: 3pt hitch - adjustable side link use & does anyone ever add a second adjustable?

The OP needs minimum of 6" of additional lift. Better 8" of additional lift.

Should he get a full size Subsoiler in the ground, a doubtful proposition, his 1,450 pound tractor, with less than 22.5-horsepower at over 5,000' altitude, will have neither the tractor weight nor power to pull a Subsoiler through high plains soil.

Subsoilers are best used in dry, not moist soil. OP needs at least a 2,600 pound bare tractor weight to pull a full size Subsoiler in dry ground.

I agree, the OP's tractor will not pull the subsoil plow at full depth. Ain't gonna happen.

 

[rossn]

Re: 3pt hitch - adjustable side link use & does anyone ever add a second adjustable?

Hi All -- thanks for all the great the responses. Lots of good information and education here!

No doubt, it is a small tractor and will be limited in power, weight, and all that makes a tractor work well

Sounds like adding a second adjustable lifting rod would allow me to push the range up or down 1.5" from its current range, which is about 6.5" - 24.5". I just added Pat's easy change hitch, and that added about an inch on the bottom end (and assuming an inch on the top - haven't had a chance to measure yet). I'll see what Massey gets for a replacement adjustable lifting rod -- from what I can tell, the one on the right side should also fit the left side.

As to the weight... with the FEL and ballasted tires, it should be about 2200lbs... still shy of the 2600 mentioned. I hadn't thought about the lower power generation due to the elevation, though that makes sense.

I also have a tiller on the way, and am thinking that once I've tilled (and let the soil compact a bit agian, I might be able to do some sub-soiling that is deeper than the 6" I'll be able to till. Or, if I'm trying to loosen soil for a trench, etc -- multiple passes may work. I did try to run a 12" compact single bottom plow, and learned painfully that the proper soil conditions are key; however, I can see how I'll be limited in weight and power.

All this said, I'm inclined to still get a subsoiler, and see how I can do with the small tractor under various soil moisture conditions. If nothing else, running it shallow might make it an easier first pass (in at least 70 years) on the tiller. I'm leaning toward the North Star/Rankin (USA) one or the NorTrac (China) or AgriSupply (Overseas) subsoiler design, as they all have a similar adjustable design with 14"/19" length and a shear pin. I was also considering the KingKutter, at 2" deeper, but that doesn't sound like it adds value and doesn't have the shearpin (which might not be much value at my tractor's size).

I will also have a look at the heavy hitch from Tim's video, though I'm thinking the hitch may not hold up to prolonged use with the ripper/subsoiler, and... it seems to me that putting the vertical bar 7-8" behind the plane of the lift arms would actually cause a moment (force), which would lift weight off the tires. I have to think about that more.

Question -- if you pull a ground engaging attachment at top, mid, or lower hitch height -- does the pulling power (or safety) change? I'm trying to understand if there is any reason you can't run a subsoiler at any desired depth.

FWIW, my soil is Sandy Clay Loam (60% Sand, 20% Silt, 20% Clay) that hasn't been worked in 60 years.

Thanks!!

 

[jeff9366]

Re: 3pt hitch - adjustable side link use & does anyone ever add a second adjustable?

Question -- if you pull a ground engaging attachment at top, mid, or lower hitch height -- does the pulling power (or safety) change? I'm trying to understand if there is any reason you can't run a subsoiler at any desired depth.

FWIW, my soil is Sandy Clay Loam (60% Sand, 20% Silt, 20% Clay) that hasn't been worked in 60 years.

From my own experience I learned that it is easy to break your Top Link when it is extended long operating a Subsoiler. I snapped my Top Link in half.

At 3" depth a Subsoiler will have "X" draft force. At 6" depth 2 "X" draft force. At 12" depth 4 "X" draft force.


You have not stated how much land you are working. Before you buy too many implements consider if you would not be better off buying a 2,700 pound bare tractor, with a full size Three Point Hitch early on. In Kubota's line, that would be a L2501/HST. However, without knowing how much land you are working I offer this advice without conviction. I am concerned that the odd dimensions of your tractor and Three Point Hitch will be a continuing problem.

Are you making a large Kitchen Garden or a small Market Garden?

 

[rossn]

Re: 3pt hitch - adjustable side link use & does anyone ever add a second adjustable?

jeff9366 - good question! This is for a relatively small personal kitchen garden. For now, about 3500 sq ft., maybe some more later. We'll also be doing a small orchard and re-landscaping the property, as well. For what we have, the tractor is as big as I'd want, though with the drive being a few hundred feet long, wanted something 4wd to also clear the snow and found a deal on the tractor. I did think the subsoiler would be great for running irrigation and electrical around the property, though sounds like renting a trencher may be the better tool for that -- especially if I want to get any of the water line from the irrigation well to be below frost line.

 

[jeff9366]

Re: 3pt hitch - adjustable side link use & does anyone ever add a second adjustable?

Also shop the modular Three Point Hitch cross-drawbar from Omni Manufacturing, a competitor of Heavy Hitch. I think either will be less sensitive to Three Point Hitch geometry than a standard Subsoiler.

Sub Compact Utility Tractor Hitches - OMNI Mfg LLC

OMNI TRANSFORMER 3 Point Ripper - OMNI Mfg LLC

I have a gut feeling a cross drawbar hitch with pin-adjustable ripper depth will provide better depth control on your tractor, relative to tractor hydraulic depth control. Omni is semi-custom and willing to incorporate small modifications at customer request. You may need a reduced size implement.

I like modular, multi-purpose attachments.

 

[rossn]

Re: 3pt hitch - adjustable side link use & does anyone ever add a second adjustable?

Thanks, jeff9366 -- will definitely consider these options contenders for my needs. I hadn't been as keen on these modular units, but can see how they have a lot of flexibility!