how tight should 3pt attachments be?

George2615 · Jan 21, 2010

If the OP is talking about the turnbuckle slop he needs to check the slop when the 3 pt is in the up and down position. On my tractor as I lift an implement the side to side slop at the turnbuckles varies since they are not using the same geometry. Example: When the implement is just off the ground I have an inch or so side to side slop, once lifted all the way there is no side to side slop. If the slop isn't there when the implement is down something (probably the turnbuckle which is the weakest link) is going to break when lifted.

johann · Jan 21, 2010

when I hook up the 3pt implements I tighten them in the up position, so I guess that is the right position to make this adjustment.There seems to be a little difference of opinion here between tight and loose, It does seem to make a difference which impliment to tighten and which are better with a little slop. The quick connects seem convieniant, but they will have to wait a little while till I can gather some funds. I probably should do the stabilizers in conjunction with them.

gwdixon · Jan 21, 2010

johann said:
should do the stabilizers in conjunction with them.

Actually the "telescopic stabilizer" OR the Pat's Quick Hitch would be enough to stop what you described in the original post. You don't really need both. It would be a bit of overkill to have them both. But if the two components can be brought in within budget it would be a sweet set-up.

I'd go with the Pat's if given the choice. However, the telescopic may be more useful if you have several different implements with the lift pins set at different gaps.

milkman · Jan 22, 2010

I like the telescoping stabilizers WITH the Pat's, the lift arms don't collapse inward like with the turnbuckles and I don't need to use a spreader bar, just set the lower arm width with the telescoping stabilizers and they stay there making hook up easy.

gwdixon · Jan 22, 2010

milkman said:
I like the telescoping stabilizers WITH the Pat's, the lift arms don't collapse inward like with the turnbuckles and I don't need to use a spreader bar, just set the lower arm width with the telescoping stabilizers and they stay there making hook up easy.

Hmmm.....good point. Expensive but good.

johann · Jan 24, 2010

I am not sure what my implement pin distances are, I am going to get out there and check them . I am guessing that they are not the same because it seems that I do alot of wrenching when I switch them.

GWDixon, I would like to see a picture of your spreaders that you made. I will have to do that method for a little while, knowing me, ...it might end up being longer than I think.

gwdixon · Jan 24, 2010

johann said:
GWDixon, I would like to see a picture of your spreaders that you made. I will have to do that method for a little while, knowing me, ...it might end up being longer than I think.

If you don't have, or will get, the Pat's then pulling one of the turnbuckle pins on the lower arm will work to keep from excessive wrenching.

The spreaders were made for a Pat's quick hitch and fit into a hole on each hitch component. The adjustable one is just a turnbuckle from the hardware store with a couple of bolts welded on to each end. The solid one is a piece of rod heated and bent. There is another one in stoage that is also solid and was made from 1/4" re-bar. It seems like each of my implements is of a different width.