Hitching up 3pt Attachments ?

[mjncad]

the easiest way is with the type of hitch that you permanantly mount 1 piece to the implement and mount the other on the tractor

That's an interesting looking gadget...who makes it?

 

[mjncad]

Careful tractor positioning is the most important thing. Getting the lift arms in the right spot helps. It takes a few minutes and I don't need a hammer or pry bar.

Before I bought my quick hitch, I made a "rib spreader" as I call it out of a 2x2 and a couple of U-shaped hooks with a lag screw welded to the bottom of the U. A U-hook is screwed into each end of the 2x2 and is used to hold the lift arms apart while backing the tractor up to the implement.

The U-hooks are available at Home Despot or any other similar store and have a yellow or red vinyl coating on them. They are designed to hold garden tools.

 

[mjncad]

It's a Power Trac PT-425 hydraulically-driven, articulated tractor... there's a forum for Power Tracs down below. Here's their website:

Versatile Tractors,Compact Tractors,Trailer Packages,Landscaping,Utility Vehicle Rentals,Mowers-Power Trac


They're available in a range of sizes up to 60HP diesels that'll operate on 45 degree slopes.

Pretty cool! Nice to see the guy lean into the hill like I do. I call it poor man's yachting.

 

[KentT]

Pretty cool! Nice to see the guy lean into the hill like I do. I call it poor man's yachting.

On the slope mowers, the seat automatically tilts to keep the the operator straight up, so he doesn't have to have to lean -- it just looks that way.

 

[firemanpat2910]

That's an interesting looking gadget...who makes it?

I think the brand name on the ones we use is Freedom Hitch. I dont know where to get them, I will have to see if there is still a phone number on them. Several of my buddies went to the sunbelt ag expo in Moultree Ga a few years ago (I was out of town for work) and they came back with them. We have them on 3/4 of our implements. You can leave the BIG sprayer filled with fertalizer, and switch it from one tractor to the other in about 1 minute. one person can switch from the disc harrows to the planters in 2 minutes with out ever leaving the seat. The only time you have to get up is to hook up the pto. I have no idea what they cost, but they truly are the next best thing to having a tractor for each implement.

 

[1bush2hog]

Careful tractor positioning is the most important thing. Getting the lift arms in the right spot helps. It takes a few minutes and I don't need a hammer or pry bar.

Yep - practice and experience will do that to you

 

[PATG]

firemanpat2910,

Midwest Industries manufactured the Freedom Hitch. I was told by the President that they weren't making them anymore. They were going to sell out there inventory. They are really neat, expensive, but neat. I spoke to him about purchasing the patent, but they want a lot more than I can afford. He said the gentelman that invented this, his father-in-law, had passed away and he wanted to concentrate on the trailer division. I do believe there are a couple of similar type setups out there though or maybe he found somebody to purchase the patent and name?

Pat of Pat's Easy Change

 

[Soundguy]

I'll reiterate my first comments.

I don't think 'that' unit ( the one I specifically took the time to include in the quote ) will run my mower.

As to your other questions..

Uh.. it is highly doubtfull that running a toy sized tool carrier would disuade me in -any- way from using my tractor. I've driven plenty of pay loaders including ones that took 2 sets of ladder/stairs to get up on.. and have ran many tool carriers including skid steer types.. etc. I still hop on my tractor to mow.

Again.. do they have one with a 15' front mower? Does that unit I showed run a 15' mower?

Slopes? I live in florida.. a good set of binoculars and i can see coast to coast if i stand on my roof...

I still say.. keep each machine for it's intended job. A farm tractor makes an ok loader.. not a great one.. They happen to be great for tillage, and still quite good for mowing on a budget.

Those tool carriers have their nitch.. while there are fringe overlaps.. I pretty much feel that the person who has 'average' farm tractor needs... won't find a PT as usefull.

As an aside... how well do they run at 50-60 ys old? parts still good to come buy?

Soundguy

With one of these, you probably wouldn't want
a batwing. Implements belong in front, so you can watch them, and so you can drive on the fresh mown area, not mash it down and then try to mow it... What kind of slopes can you mow on with that batwing? Does it have a turning radius under 6 feet?

And if mowing on steep slopes isn't your thing, you can always take the "high road"...

BTW, some of the big ones will lift 2400 lbs to 8 ft, and a different model to 10 ft. How much do your round bales weigh? How high do you want to stack 'em?

Seriously, I don't think "tractor" is really a good term to describe them... "tool carrier" is probably the best term, but no one would really know what you were talking about.

I've tried calling them a "consumer pay-loader" with LOTS (over 40) different attachments to use... some people can visualize that description. BTW, you can even get 3 pt hitches for them. But, why?

 

[KentT]

I'll reiterate my first comments.

I don't think 'that' unit ( the one I specifically took the time to include in the quote ) will run my mower.

As to your other questions..

Uh.. it is highly doubtfull that running a toy sized tool carrier would disuade me in -any- way from using my tractor. I've driven plenty of pay loaders including ones that took 2 sets of ladder/stairs to get up on.. and have ran many tool carriers including skid steer types.. etc. I still hop on my tractor to mow.

Again.. do they have one with a 15' front mower? Does that unit I showed run a 15' mower?

Slopes? I live in florida.. a good set of binoculars and i can see coast to coast if i stand on my roof...

I still say.. keep each machine for it's intended job. A farm tractor makes an ok loader.. not a great one.. They happen to be great for tillage, and still quite good for mowing on a budget.

Those tool carriers have their nitch.. while there are fringe overlaps.. I pretty much feel that the person who has 'average' farm tractor needs... won't find a PT as usefull.

As an aside... how well do they run at 50-60 ys old? parts still good to come buy?

Soundguy

Boy, you're testy today. I guess all my smilies don't communicate or something...

First, comparing my 1400 lb, 25HP machine to your larger ones is no more valid than comparing a 20-25 HP SCUT to yours. Will a new New Holland TZ run your batwing or lift round bales -- or a Kubota BX? I guess they're junk too, because they won't pull your batwing or lift your round bales...

Have you ever mowed with an articulated machine with a 6' or 8' mower on the front? Ever used a ZTR? That's the closest comparison. BTW, skidsteers don't compare to these any more than a dozer compares to a payloader -- since skidsteers and dozers steer the same way.

I think you'd likely find more people having the need for one of these "tool carriers" than there are people who need your huge batwings...

As far as people here having "farm tractor needs" -- what percentage do you think of the regulars here actually pull a land plow? Or bale hay? Or even move bales? Most posts here seem to deal with (a) lot clearing and site prep, (b) dirt moving of some type, including driveway mainteance, and (c) mowing their yard and fields. Gardening, even if the posts are popular this time of year, is diminishing, and more people use tillers there now, instead of plows and harrows to prepare the soil. If you don't need a huge batwing, or do FARMING, a PT of the right size will outperform a "conventional tractor" at any one of those those tasks above...

BTW, it seems to me that "large ag tractors" is its own small subset (i.e. subforum) of this place, as is antique tractors and Power Tracs...

Who knows how they'll run at 50-60 years old? How many of these Mitsubishi or Shibaru or Yanmar or XXXX-made machines that are popular here will you be able to get parts for 60 years from now? Do you think their plastic and electronics will hold up 50-60 years? (I've seen your post about tractor collecting becoming a dying breed, BTW?) Does that mean that these people shouldn't buy a new JD, NH, Kubota, etc?

Are you confident New Holland will still be around 60 years from now? I'm not, even if we're talking JD (though they're much more likely to endure than NH). Look at all the other old-line names that have essentially disappeared, and parts are very hard to come by, if they're not available aftermarket. One real plus is that most of the main components for the PT are already available on the aftermarket -- most ALL of them -- engines, tram pumps, cylinders, wheel motors, steering motors, control valves, etc.

Have a nice day! And realize that I was teasing before, but this post is my serious, yet somewhat subjective opinion. I grew up on a farm using old Fords and Masseys, I've owned a Kubota SCUT and tried to use it on my property, and for my needs (and IMO to meet the needs of most posters here) , the PT will outperform the farm tractors or the CUTS/SCUTs...

 

[Soundguy]

Boy, you're testy today. I guess all my smilies don't communicate or something... ...

Not any more or less than normal... And i guess your smilies didn't convey any more than my (grin) comments that also were seemingly ignored ? no?

First, comparing my 1400 lb, 25HP machine to your larger ones is no more valid than comparing a 20-25 HP SCUT to yours. Will a new New Holland TZ run your batwing or lift round bales -- or a Kubota BX? I guess they're junk too, because they won't pull your batwing or lift your round bales... ...

See my first sentence... there was a "(grin)" after that comment.

Have you ever mowed with an articulated machine with a 6' or 8' mower on the front? Ever used a ZTR? That's the closest comparison. BTW, skidsteers don't compare to these any more than a dozer compares to a payloader -- since skidsteers and dozers steer the same way. ...

I tried to type that paragraph to convey a range of machines I've driven. i did not mean it to imply that I had only driven loaders and skidsteers. To answer your question.. Yes.. I've driven ZTR, as well as a couple types of articulated and non articulated reel mowers for golf courses with front mounted gang reels.. I've also driven other tool carriers similar ( an including) skid steer.. including non tracked units.

I think you'd likely find more people having the need for one of these "tool carriers" than there are people who need your huge batwings......

I can't say that I've seen a single farmer around here that has anything similar... but that every horse farm I've visited or stopped by.. DID have a large tractor and large mower. Hmm.. on second thought.. I know of 1 farm in my area that also has a skid steer for hauling maneur and wood chips. I also know of a one with a small jd loader ( 444 ).. and a couple with small dozers.

By and far.. the mowing and light duty material handling around here happens with CUT/UT/AG tractors. I'm not speaking for any other area than the locale where I live.

As far as people here having "farm tractor needs" -- what percentage do you think of the regulars here actually pull a land plow? Or bale hay? Or even move bales? Most posts here seem to deal with (a) lot clearing and site prep, (b) dirt moving of some type, including driveway mainteance, and (c) mowing their yard and fields. Gardening, even if the posts are popular this time of year, is diminishing, and more people use tillers there now, instead of plows and harrows to prepare the soil. If you don't need a huge batwing, or do FARMING, a PT of the right size will outperform a "conventional tractor" at any one of those those tasks above......

Some people here make hay.. and some people here still have standard tillage equipment. If I didn't do any farming chores.. I'm guessing i wouldn't own -farm- tractors Lets be clear here.. the section of my previous post that I believe you are refering to, very specifically stated 'farm needs'. Not 'landscaper needs'. Or 'home gardner' needs or 'contractor/sitework' needs. or 'light landclearing needs'.. etc...

BTW, it seems to me that "large ag tractors" is its own small subset (i.e. subforum) of this place, as is antique tractors and Power Tracs... ...

I agree.. though I'm not sure what the point is that you are trying to make????

Who knows how they'll run at 50-60 years old? How many of these Mitsubishi or Shibaru or Yanmar or XXXX-made machines that are popular here will you be able to get parts for 60 years from now? Do you think their plastic and electronics will hold up 50-60 years? (I've seen your post about tractor collecting becoming a dying breed, BTW?) Does that mean that these people shouldn't buy a new JD, NH, Kubota, etc?...

Can't help you with any of that. I'm skeptical of any of the newer breed of machines that rely on alot of plastic, fiberglass, and more wires than a power company to operate. That's why i made my post about collecting becoming a dying hobby... the 'stuff' churned out today.. IMHO.. is not going to be collectable... half of it employ designed or planned obselescence. and much of it uses 'just barely' engineering concepts.. vs HD engineering concepts.

I think people should buy whatever they want... not my money.. for whatever intended purpose or application they have. I'm not sure of the point you are trying to make on this comment either...

Are you confident New Holland will still be around 60 years from now? I'm not, even if we're talking JD (though they're much more likely to endure than NH). Look at all the other old-line names that have essentially disappeared, and parts are very hard to come by, if they're not available aftermarket. One real plus is that most of the main components for the PT are already available on the aftermarket -- most ALL of them -- engines, tram pumps, cylinders, wheel motors, steering motors, control valves, etc. ...

Do I plan on NH being around? Can't say for sure.. but I think they have a good chance.. either as a main player.. or as a bought out conglomerate. Same with ford.. it's been absorbed long ago.. yet product support is still here. Many of those old line names you refer to still have support thru various main brands that bought them out. AC is no longer here.. but you can go to an AGCO dealer to get parts.. etc.

Have a nice day! And realize that I was teasing before, but this post is my serious, yet somewhat subjective opinion. I grew up on a farm using old Fords and Masseys, I've owned a Kubota SCUT and tried to use it on my property, and for my needs (and IMO to meet the needs of most posters here) , the PT will outperform the farm tractors or the CUTS/SCUTs...

Subjective.. yes... I think you missed a few key sentences in my post. I said farm tractors were good for? You guessed it.. farm duties. That's all I'm refering to. I also did mention that PT had it's own market segment.

If the point you were trying to make was that you like PT.. and personally feel that they are 2nd to none for what they do.. then yes.. i agree.. it sure does sound like you like them and feel that way.

I think the remark about 'outperform' needs to be qualified statement. Outperform at what task(s)? I'm sure they will excel at many vs a farm tractor.. and be less capable at others vs a farm tractor...

Soundguy