How low do your category 0 3-point hitch lift arms go?

[CliffordK]

My guess is that you will find a lot of variation in the Cat-0 tractors, in part depending on whether they have short fat tires, or tall skinny tires. And then, of course, everything is smaller so the tollerances are closer.

Perhaps one option would be to use channel iron on the front side of the forks, with holes at different heights. It would be easy and cheap to make.

 

[SilverLakeFab]

Here are a couple CAD drawings for the category 0 3 point hitch forks. The forks have a 24" usable length and measure 22" outside to outside (2"x3" forks are 16" apart).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v347/kawiracer/category03pointhitchforkspic1_zps1218b323.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v347/kawiracer/category03pointhitchforkspic2_zpsd771d617.jpg

 

[SilverLakeFab]

Of course, the pins aren't shown in those pictures.

 

[CliffordK]

What I was thinking is that if you put channel iron on the lower back portion, you could use pins that go through two holes, just like you use on the top link. Cheap, strong, and easy.

I'm not sure why most implements have pins sticking out on the bottom, rather than a pin that goes through two holes. Perhaps it is easier to mount, although I always find it is a bit of a pain. In this case, I would imagine your implement will be light enough that it can be moved by hand.

You could use an "A" structure on the back which is very strong. It would use less steel, but it might not give you as much support for the load.

 

[SilverLakeFab]

Hi Clifford. We don't use channel for lower link pins because of the way that an impliment is installed. At the same time, a commercially available "channel" is not deep enough to allow for the pivot of your lower link arms without being a huge channel that would allow for way too much space between the flanges. On all our 3-point hitch implements, other than category 2 and 3 implements, we use 1/2" plate to mount standard lower link pins. Also, any standard channel, or even thick-walled MC channel, as we use on clamp-on implements, does not have truely parallel flanges, making it a poor material to have anything actually bolted or pinned to in the manner you have in mind. Regarless, we use single plates and flanged and threaded pins because they are already overkill. Believe it or not, since I stated the business in 2005, we've never had an implement come back broken. I beat the heck out of most of our toys before they reach the market. Overkill is the only way to go!

I appreciate your input!

 

[CNC Dan]

...At the same time, a commercially available "channel" is not deep enough to allow for the pivot of your lower link arms without being a huge channel that would allow for way too much space between the flanges.

Look around for some metric/Jappan spec. channel. The flanges are a lot deeper.

 

[SilverLakeFab]

CNC Dan, that's not something that makes sense monetarily, especially since our product line has proven itself to be durable. The design we have for mounting lower link pins works and is already plenty beefy.

 

[JRP]

Silver lake,

Please meek your cat 1 equipment quick hitch compatible if possible. The old JD iMatch is a good pattern because it is not adjustable. I won't but equipment that won't work with a quick hitch.

As a group, we all should boycot buying equipment that won't work with a quick hitch.

 

[fogobum]

I found a diagram:
3-point hitch (Category 0)

John Deere says maximum minimum is 7 inches. I couldn't find a standard for class 0. ISO 730-1 specifies category 1 up.

Good luck!

 

[SilverLakeFab]

The design has been finalized for our category 0 3-point hitch forks. The lower link pins have three different sets of holes that are centered 8", 10", and 12" to the base of the implement. With the three different mounting hole locations, they will fit just about any cat. 0 setup. They come loaded with pins, and although they weldment itself could handle a 2000 pound load, we are rating them at 1,000 pounds due to the size of the category 0 pins. They aren't on the web site yet, but if anyone would like to get a set, just let me know.

-Aaron