Building a 3pt Hitch for my tractor

[woodlandfarms]

My machine is a much like a skid steer, all implements in front. But at the end of the day we spend a lot of time driving backwards when using a box blade or land plane. So I am designing out a 3PT hitch that would be temporarily installed (needs to be light to be easily removed).

I wanted to ask you who have 3pts about the value of the following, (and the value based on just using a box blade / land plane. All other accessories are front mounted and work well. I will never put other implements on back (Post Hole Diggers, tillers) as the front mounts work really well)

Two way valves on the up and down motion. Is it important to be able to push down on the implement?

Hydraulic tilt. I get it makes tilting easier but is it that big of a deal getting off the tractor to adust level

Hydraulic top. As I am dragging my implements, what value would a hydraulic top have.

Most of my questions are due to economics. I don't have a lot of cash (If I went crazy, this could be a $1500 build with cylinders, controls, hoses). I am limited on real estate so I am going to have to use electric valve controls and I want to limit them due to costs.

Thanks for your ideas in advance.

 

[Ken45101]

I don't know about the downpressure. Most 3pt implements are not designed for downpressure and adding that may damage the attachment.

They are typically designed to operate by their own weight alone or by pulling themselves into the ground (e.g. ripper teeth). In fact, the 3pt on bigger tractors is designed to lift the implement when it starts pulling too hard.

The one 3pt application where downpressure is useful is a post hole digger but again I would be very careful since most are not designed for pressure on the 3pt linkage.

As for a hydraulic top link, that can be useful for adjusting the angle. If you take dirt off of a high spot, you might want to lift the front of a box blade to deposit the dirt in a low spot. This is especially true if you are running a box blade with ripper teeth. It gets tiring getting on and off to adjust the top link. OTOH, there are jobs where you just leave it at one setting the entire time.

Ken

 

[radioman]

On a normal tractor, there is no down pressure on a 3pt. It floats up and down from last known down position from a single short single action cylinder. If you had a DA for down pressure, there may not be a need for a hydraulic top link as changing the length will give you different "cutting angles" of the said implement eliminating the need to adjust till it starts working. only time I can think of a downpressure would be good if you using a post hole digger trying to dig in hard soils.
If you wanted it lightweight and simple - IMHO go with manual toplink, and SA cylinder for lift of 3 pt arms. Take a look at the BX models 3pt parts to model your design off from.its easy to put on and off .