3pt question

[lakngulf]

The bottom two arms of my 3pt hitch have a pin and slots that allow the arms to swing out and in; I assume all have this. Most of the holes are round, and the pin fits snugly in top and bottom hole. But toward the back the top piece has a rectangle slot, and if the pins are put in these the arms are free to move a bit.

My question: Which implements benefit from this movement? I was bushhogging on a hill yesterday, the pins were in the moveable slots, and I notice the bush hog "moved" down the hill as I drove. It worked ok but made me wonder if I had the pins in the right hole or not.

 

[beenthere]

Its your call if you want to let the rear attachment move around.

Usually the slots are for a less rigid hold on the attachment, and for your convenience. It might be to just let you have some movement when attaching the attachment, and not having to pull the pins each time (one reason I use the quick hitch, like the iMatch).

A swinging drawbar is useful for pulling some ground engaging equipment, as it allows for easier turning when plowing, discing, or dragging.

So, bottom line, whatever suits your fancy as you use the different attachments. No firm benefits for individual implements, I'd say.

 

[TripleR]

Pretty much agree with "beenthere", I like a little play in all my implements as when I was farming I saw equipment damage from turning with ground engaged implement. How much play is going to depend to a certain extent on the individual, but too much swinging around can be a safety issue.

 

[kubob]

If you have an owner's manual it may indicate specifics on this - mine has a section that tells what implements should have some play - of course it always good to go by these folks on TBN that have actual experience too

 

[TripleR]

If you have an owner's manual it may indicate specifics on this - mine has a section that tells what implements should have some play - of course it always good to go by these folks on TBN that have actual experience too

Agreed, the Manual should always be checked. Now I don't always go by it, but if I screw something up then it's my fault. I believe manuals would be much more relevant/useful if the writers did not have to be overseen and approved by lawyers.

 

[rus_geek]

My own preference is to use the slots for ground-engaging and holes for the brush hog and the pallet forks. Letting the forks slide around in the slots can get interesting when you've got a couple thousand pounds on a pallet! For ground engaging tasks, the slots let the implement bounce around rocks (they grow like weeds) rather than transferring all of the shock load to the lift arms sideways.

-rus-

 

[kubob]

What rus_geek said is that hands-on experience i was talking about - and yes TripleR, many times manuals, safety warnings, limitations, etc. are the work of lawyers and insurance companies just making sure they cover their butts...

 

[kubob]

Or also to keep us using our machines more mildly to keep warranty repairs at a minimum...

 

[TripleR]

Or also to keep us using our machines more mildly to keep warranty repairs at a minimum...

You might be onto something there.

I pretty much agree with "rus geek" on a lot of applications. When I was farming, time was always short and tractors smaller. When I came to the end of the field, it was hit the left brake while lifting the implement, spin around and drop it while moving and let it center while in motion. Anything tight would slow you down and often bend things. Now when cultivating, "before herbicides", you needed tight, precise control or you would wipe out a lot of plants. I also liked tight control on a moldboard plow; seldom used now.

Experience will show you what works best.

 

[lakngulf]

When I came to the end of the field, it was hit the left brake while lifting the implement, spin around and drop it while moving and let it center while in motion.

When I was a kid my dad kept me home from school one day to disc a field where he was going to plant corn. This was an old allis chalmers tractor with close front tires. He explained to me and showed me the concept you mention above. Hit the left break, turn and lift the disc at the same time. I did fine but quickly forgot to "hit the left break". I front tires turned ok, but the tractor just kept going forward and dug the nicest trench you have ever seen. My dad was not happy, but was patient enough with me to let me continue.

 

[beenthere]

........... My dad was not happy, but was patient enough with me to let me continue.

As long as you didn't do it twice.. Then the patience would wear thin, from my recollection.

Interesting, as my first experience cultivating corn was at 14 yrs old, a 4-row mounted cultivator on a JD A, before power steering. The fields were contoured planting, with corn up about 4" high. My Uncle should have known better, but trusted me.
The following day, I was back cultivating corn.

I didn't crowd to the uphill side (enough) on the contours and concentrated so hard on keeping on the rows, that I never looked back. Well, the short story was I spent a day and half walking the contoured corn fields and uncovering many small corn plants - - at least those that were recoverable.
Now I always look back to see how I'm doing.

 

[lakngulf]

Now I always look back to see how I'm doing.

So are you saying that beenthere has Been There!!

 

[TripleR]

As long as you didn't do it twice.. Then the patience would wear thin, from my recollection.

Interesting, as my first experience cultivating corn was at 14 yrs old, a 4-row mounted cultivator on a JD A, before power steering. The fields were contoured planting, with corn up about 4" high. My Uncle should have known better, but trusted me.
The following day, I was back cultivating corn.

I didn't crowd to the uphill side (enough) on the contours and concentrated so hard on keeping on the rows, that I never looked back. Well, the short story was I spent a day and half walking the contoured corn fields and uncovering many small corn plants - - at least those that were recoverable.
Now I always look back to see how I'm doing.

Oh man, "been there" too; was just getting ready to tell a similar story.

The old Fords had a "T" guide from the front axle to keep you lined up once you got the feet on the cultivator adjusted properly, but I never trusted it completely and if you didn't count your rows right was a guarantee to take every plant down, so looking back was always a good idea.

Since you farmed before power steering, you are probably familiar with dislocated thumbs and jammed wrists

 

[TripleR]

When I was a kid my dad kept me home from school one day to disc a field where he was going to plant corn. This was an old allis chalmers tractor with close front tires. He explained to me and showed me the concept you mention above. Hit the left break, turn and lift the disc at the same time. I did fine but quickly forgot to "hit the left break". I front tires turned ok, but the tractor just kept going forward and dug the nicest trench you have ever seen. My dad was not happy, but was patient enough with me to let me continue.

We used Fords, Case and John Deere wide front ends, but also had an AC for a while; know what you mean. I spent more than a little time on foot "covering my tracks" so to speak.

 

[beenthere]

........
Since you farmed before power steering, you are probably familiar with dislocated thumbs and jammed wrists

That John Deere roll-o-matic front wheel assembly took a lot of that problem out of the picture.
But do remember some other tractors that would hit the dead furrow, and spin that steering wheel out (neighbor was in a cast as a result of his AC doing that to him). He added a CharLyn power steering kit immediately after that.

Ahhh, those fond memories. Would like to go back and live them all over again...most of them anyways.