How tight should a check chain be?

[mwb]

That is what mine has. The stabilizer is a flat bar that attachs to the underside of the right fender mount. There should be a stout piece of angle with a standard 7/8 pin (same as implement size) but shorter.

You can purchase the stabilizer bar from TSC, Princess Auto, etc.
http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp...4345|14346|14347|14352|33798?listingPage=true
The only problem with the TSC one is that it is red!

My new Montana has double turnbuckle stabilizers but the single one works also. You will really appreciate the stabilizer once you get one.

If you would like more info I can take a close up pic of mine for you.

 

[TYMinColton]

I'd definitely appreciate a pic if it's not too much trouble. Come to think of it, I do have some old "junk" angle lying around in the barn. Looking closely at the TSC pic I may actually have these, but they have a small bend at one end. . . . not sure.
Thanks!
Pete

 

[mwb]

the do have a bend at one end. I think you would be better off with flat stock instead of angle. The flat bar is also spring steel, you will pretzel pig iron pretty quick.

I will post pics tomorrow AM.

Cheers,
Mike

 

[MicroPilot]

Stabilizer rules:

For non ground engaging equipment they should be tight to keep the implement from swaying

For ground engaging implements they should have some play so the implement can slide around immovable obstructions in the ground (rocks).


Least that's what my tractors manual says.

 

[jimmysisson]

Those flat bars with the bend on the end(s) can also be pinned in place of where the upper link is pinned. That creates a fairly rigid (though fixed-height) drawbar attachment for a trailer or some such. I think you'd want two in that situation.
Not explained well. 1. remove upper 3ph link, 2. place bent ends of stabiliser bars over the pins of a drawbar, 3. place ends of drawbar into lower link eyes and pin with linch pins, 4. swing unpinned end of stabilisers up and together, and slide upper link pin through upper holes of stabilisers.
Drawbar is fairly rigid in every direction, though fixed in height.
I used these stabilisers horizontally on a Massey 135 since the check chains were so worn the drawbar swung wildly. I made some brackets to bolt under the axle where the fender u-bolts sit, in line with the lower-link pins on the diffy housing. The stabilisers are weak in compression but fine in tension, so you need to use both.
Jim

 

[TYMinColton]

Those flat bars with the bend on the end(s) can also be pinned in place of where the upper link is pinned. That creates a fairly rigid (though fixed-height) drawbar attachment for a trailer or some such. I think you'd want two in that situation.
Not explained well. 1. remove upper 3ph link, 2. place bent ends of stabiliser bars over the pins of a drawbar, 3. place ends of drawbar into lower link eyes and pin with linch pins, 4. swing unpinned end of stabilisers up and together, and slide upper link pin through upper holes of stabilisers.
Drawbar is fairly rigid in every direction, though fixed in height.
I used these stabilisers horizontally on a Massey 135 since the check chains were so worn the drawbar swung wildly. I made some brackets to bolt under the axle where the fender u-bolts sit, in line with the lower-link pins on the diffy housing. The stabilisers are weak in compression but fine in tension, so you need to use both.
Jim

Jim,
This makes total sense now. I do have two of these flat bars (sorry, they're not angle bar as I may have previously written) and also have a drawbar with a standard ball hitch. I can see how when used together they should provide lateral tension for pulling a trailer, etc.
Thanks,
Pete

 

[mwb]

Here is the pic of my Ford 2000 stabilizer. The stabilizer bar is shaped like a hockey stick so that it does not hit the axle then the hitch is raised.






Cheers,
Mike

 

[TYMinColton]

Thanks Mike. I indeed do have a couple of those stabilizer arms in my barn. Question: Do you think they can be used safely with a brush hog? or a rototiller? It seems to me that they might cause problems and either tighten/loosen when an implement is being raised/lowered.
Pete

 

[mwb]

There is only one used, you don't have one on the left side.

The tractor end of the stabilizer pin is aligned with the drag link pin so raising or lowering will not cause any lateral movement of your implement.

I use it for hoggin' and i would use it for a tiller. I think the only attachment I don't use if for is plows (really ground engaging). Rear blade, snowblower, cultivator, hog, ditching bucket all use the stabilizer.

 

[TYMinColton]

There is only one used, you don't have one on the left side.

The tractor end of the stabilizer pin is aligned with the drag link pin so raising or lowering will not cause any lateral movement of your implement.

I use it for hoggin' and i would use it for a tiller. I think the only attachment I don't use if for is plows (really ground engaging). Rear blade, snowblower, cultivator, hog, ditching bucket all use the stabilizer.

Cool. Guess I just have an extra one. Seems like I'm finding lots of "extra" in my old barn. Five years in and I'm still finding interesting odds and ends that might be useful. Becomes really hard to throw things away when you're not sure what they're for .

Incidentally, they're both painted blue, but my tractor is painted red. I wonder if they came off of a 2000-6000 series ford instead of my 801 series. Anyway, If I ever get this old ford running again (engine is in about 200 pieces right now and needs an overhaul) I'll definitely give the stabilizer arms a go.

Thanks!
Pete