Anonymous Poster
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I have a ballast box on my tractor with 3pt hitch. How do I remove the box? thanks, I am new to this stuff.
3pt hitch novice...
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RobS
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Carl, I'm so happy someone finally posted a question I am capable of answering, thanks /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif
Here's the drill: First, back your rig to where ever you want to keep the ballast box. If it is full, you won't have much luck moving it once it's off the tractor. You might consider keeping it on pieces of wood instead of bare ground if you're keeping it outside. Lower your three point all the way down (lever to the extreme low position, all the way forward on my tractor). Set park brake and hop off. Disconnect the top link at the ballast box first. You may have to adjust the link length to take the load off to remove the pin. Clip the top link out of the way. Next disconnect the lower links and attempt to pull outward. Here's where it can get tricky if you aren't on level ground. In order for the lower links to pull outward, the tractor will have to move back a bit. You'll have to release the park brake but be careful it doesn't roll when it's free of the box. I always try to do this on a flat area (not a problem where I live). Once the links are free, pull forward and clear of the box. If I'm not hooking up another implement I'll use the spring that came with my tractor to keep the lower links pulled inwards and away from the tires. Raise the three point and you're off!
Reattaching is mostly the same in reverse. The key is aligning the tractor with the implement. I get lined up and lower the tph all the way. The links will rest on the implement pins then hop off and connect everything. For heavy implements a long pry bar is helpful to nudge things around a bit.
Hope this helps and keep those questions coming /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
Here's the drill: First, back your rig to where ever you want to keep the ballast box. If it is full, you won't have much luck moving it once it's off the tractor. You might consider keeping it on pieces of wood instead of bare ground if you're keeping it outside. Lower your three point all the way down (lever to the extreme low position, all the way forward on my tractor). Set park brake and hop off. Disconnect the top link at the ballast box first. You may have to adjust the link length to take the load off to remove the pin. Clip the top link out of the way. Next disconnect the lower links and attempt to pull outward. Here's where it can get tricky if you aren't on level ground. In order for the lower links to pull outward, the tractor will have to move back a bit. You'll have to release the park brake but be careful it doesn't roll when it's free of the box. I always try to do this on a flat area (not a problem where I live). Once the links are free, pull forward and clear of the box. If I'm not hooking up another implement I'll use the spring that came with my tractor to keep the lower links pulled inwards and away from the tires. Raise the three point and you're off!
Reattaching is mostly the same in reverse. The key is aligning the tractor with the implement. I get lined up and lower the tph all the way. The links will rest on the implement pins then hop off and connect everything. For heavy implements a long pry bar is helpful to nudge things around a bit.
Hope this helps and keep those questions coming /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
OP
Anonymous Poster
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Carl... don't let Rob fool ya... He's a smart guy.../w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif
With any implement... on or off, key is Level...Level... Level... Did I mention having a level platform? /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
Less fiddling, less fighting, less work.
One last thing, a lower profile implement {ex. rotary cutter} is tough to move, the higher profile implements {ex. rototiller, hd rear blade {unstable}, tall ballast box} can prove <font color=red>dangerous</font color=red> if not level and you get kids playing around them...
Remember when you're not around, that unlevel/unstable 800 lb. ballast box or rear blade tips over on a 70 lb. child playing takes only a "split second"./w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif
With any implement... on or off, key is Level...Level... Level... Did I mention having a level platform? /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
Less fiddling, less fighting, less work.
One last thing, a lower profile implement {ex. rotary cutter} is tough to move, the higher profile implements {ex. rototiller, hd rear blade {unstable}, tall ballast box} can prove <font color=red>dangerous</font color=red> if not level and you get kids playing around them...
Remember when you're not around, that unlevel/unstable 800 lb. ballast box or rear blade tips over on a 70 lb. child playing takes only a "split second"./w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif