Convert tow behind aerator to 3pt hitch.

[doneill127]

Few years ago rented a 3pt aerator but found to be too much of a pain between the cost, and 45min trip each way, loading unloading from the landscape trailer. So decided I could buy a little bit smaller tow behind for almost the price of the rental. Ended up with a 48” Agrifab. Well that didnt turn out to well either. I have a lot of walkways, small access areas gravel and paved driveway so had to constantly get on and off to raise it up. So decided to convert it to a 3 pt hitch set up. Did about an acre today and nothing failed though many of the welds are kind of ugly. Have another acre to knock off tomorrow. It’s totally bolt on, and can be converted back to a tow behind without any problem.

 

[tacticalturnip]

Nice job!

 

[doneill127]

Thanks. Aside from wanting the 3 pt set up also wanted brush up on my welding. Want to restart restoration project of a 1956 oval beetle that’s disassembled in the barn.

 

[Runner]

Looks good. Did you have to add any ballast when in use, or is it heavy enough as-is?

 

[doneill127]

I need at least 4 cinder blocks to get the tines to penetrate the soil. When it was towed, the wheels had a hard time handling that and raising and lowering it was a pain. To stiffen things up, the frame is 2x2x1/8 angle, and I used 1x1x1/8 to connect them.

 

[doneill127]

Rev 01
The flat bar stock tie between the upper link channels and the rear angle has bowed. I used that because I saw someone else had done something similar and assumed it would only be in tension. Guess I was wrong. I’ll have to add a stiffener to it.

 

[Runner]

Rev 01
The flat bar stock tie between the upper link channels and the rear angle has bowed. I used that because I saw someone else had done something similar and assumed it would only be in tension. Guess I was wrong. I’ll have to add a stiffener to it.

It is going to either need to be really strong to resist bending, or the top link will need to be a pivoting connection with that angled support made out of something flexible like chain. Pull up a picture of a box blade and look at the structure of the A-frame, pretty hefty.