converting a tow behind aerator to 3pt

[NJDiverDan]

I am new to the 3 pt game and have a new kubota BX24 that has replaced my old lawn tractor. I have a TSC tow behind aerator that I would like to make into a 3pt attachment. It is as easy as just welding a frame to the aerator that will hook to the hitch? Anything I need to watch out for?

Thanks,

-dan

 

[RonR]

I'd say YES.

Shouldn't need the wheels or hitch. Take a look at other 3PH equipment to see dimensions to use. A lot of the stuff built here has simple, effective hookups.

 

[Joe1]

I hard wired a pigtail from the battery, with an inline fuse, to an on/off marine grade toggle switch on the dash of my JD CUT, then from the switch to a pigtail at the rear fender with another inline fuse. Makes it a lot easier to use. I turn the pump on at the tank, adjust the pressure and then turn it on and off remotely from the tractor seat. Saves a lot of climbing on and off and a lot of wasted material. I can turn it off at the end of a row, turn the tractor around and flip it back on for the next row. I had another plug that matched the plug on my tractor pigtail and also on the sprayer. I use one end on the tractor pigtail (which I cut the wires off) when not plugged in to keep the plug clean. The other end goes on the sprayer pigtail (with 18"s of wire left on) to keep that clean. When the pump is plugged into the tractor, I put both halves of the protective plug together and use the remaining wire to tie it off to the sprayer so I don't lose it.

I can also use the pigtail on the tractor at the rear fender as a power source for auxillary lights clamped on the ROP.

If you don't want to go to that much trouble snaking wires through the tractor parts, you can just use an "extension" cord with a plug for the pump on one end and alligator clips on the other. I made one so I can use the sprayer on any tractor. I also used an inline fuse and put an on/off rocker switch in the line so I can operate it from the tractor seat.

The nice part of mounting your sprayer on the 3 PT is a lot of ease in backing. My 20 amp alternator easily keeps ahead of my sprayers electrical draw.

Good luck with your project.

 

[kylebosch808]

I have thought about making my own aerator for a 3pt hitch but then i got to thinking, its no the best idea because when you take corners the aerator will want to swing out then cause your lawn to be all torn up and im sure you dont want that, it would be just as easy to leave the aerator as it is and just do hydraulic lift wheels on it so you dont have to get off to lift it up. just a hint

 

[cp1969]

its no the best idea because when you take corners the aerator will want to swing out then cause your lawn to be all torn up

More than likely it will tear up the aerator, too.

 

[hwp]

I have been thinking about doing the same thing with my front mount. I have a hydraulic cylinder on my aerator to raise and lower the wheels which I think I will leave in place as I only have lift capacity, no downward pressure, with my front mount. If I leave the wheels in place then I can use the hydraulic cylinder on the aerator to lift the wheels for turning corners rather than using the cylinder for the front mount lift. On the other hand, the front mount cylinder will lift the whole mechanism when needed for manoeuvers such as turning corners so maybe there will be no need to keep the wheels and lift cylinder on the aerator. What I do know for sure is that I intend to convert my tow-behind aerator to a front mount. I can figure out the best lift procedure by trial and error.

 

[srjones]

A picture says a thousand words, as they say. Got a picture?

or is it pretty much like this one?

http://www.mytscstore.com/images/productImages/prod_600_by_600/4405082.jpg

If you worried about raising it on corners/turns, why not just used your 3PH lift arms to do that for you?

 

[PineRidge]

My take on this is that it might be like putting a category 1 implement on a tractor equipped for category 3 implements.

It will most likely work for a short time until the HP tears it up. Don't ask me how I know that.

 

[MadReferee]

If you are thinking of converting it to a 3pt hitch setup, I have plans for a universal 3pt hitch that is part of my dethatcher plans. It's pretty easy to build, will fit your tractor and your aerator could be easily adapted to it in just a few minutes with a drill and maybe a welder. As always the plans are free. Just send me a PM with your email address.

 

[NJDiverDan]

srjones,

Similar to the one in the pic, but that looks like it is made from lighter gauge steel than mine.

MadReferee.. pm sent, thanks!

I understand the tear out from the turns, you get that when towing it as well. Anytime you turn, you get tear out due to the inside spoons not needing to go as fast as the outside spoons. Does not matter if it is tight to the tractor or towed behind, you are still trying to move them at different rates. Having the implement attached to my 3pt would allow me to more easily raise it so the tear out does not occur. Adding a hydrolic to the wheels may work but seems like a much more complex solution (valving, cylinder, hoses, etc) than just welding a 3pt bracket on the implement.

Thanks for all the input!

-dan