Damage to 3PH with weight?

DennisArrow · Jul 20, 2003

I built a utility platform/box from angle iron and 5/4 x 4 hickory. Thing weighs 327 pounds. Is an excellent counterbalance for FEL besides its utility for carrying firewood and stuff. The question is: when the 3PH arms are lowered it is around 10-12 inches off the ground. Is there a problem with this much weight left on, permanently unsupported, for extended period of times. Yes, the top link is good and tight and helps support it; but do I need to lower it down onto something when leaving it to not damage the 3PH........thanks, Dennis

RoyJackson · Jul 20, 2003

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normde2001 · Jul 20, 2003

I don't believe it will hurt the Hydraulics at all. When the 3ph is fully lowered, the hydraulics is no longer functioning, however the weight will be resting on whatever the mechanical stop is. I gotta admit I never tried to find out what that stop is. You could always use check chains and let them support the weight.

DennisArrow · Jul 21, 2003

so there are manual stops at the bottom of the range of motion for the 3PH arms?............

sweettractors · Jul 21, 2003

We use a 285 MF with FEL and extended boom to load machinery in our business. To offset the weight on the Front, We use a 55 gal. barrell of concrete with 3 point hitch rigged on it at the back. We use check chains to keep the weight off the lift arms. Some tractors leak off on the 3 point after setting for a while and not running. Always lower the 3 point onto the check chains when not in use and the check chains will also help prevent starter load on the tractor. (the hydraulic pump wants to start pumping as soon as the starter is engaged)--Ken Sweet
Sweet Farm Equipment Co. *Disc Mower Headquarters*

John_Mc · Jul 22, 2003

Some where on here there was a thread about just this subject ... I think about a year or so ago. The damage referred to in this thread was not from the weight just sitting there, it was from driving over bumpy roads/terrain at high speeds with a lot of weight suspended in the air from the 3 Pt hitch.

I can't remember what exactly was damaged, but apparently the suspended weight would bounce up and down as you hit bumps at high speeds and damage some internal part on the 3 Pt hitch.

I've not yet tried a search for this old thread, but it might be worth taking a look around.

John Mc