IXLR8
Veteran Member
IT- I was wondering if you had a chance to use 'my' front mounted 3pt hitch yet, if so, how well does it work for you?
3-Point Hitch Island Tractor- front 3pt hitch
- Thread starter IXLR8
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IslandTractor
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2005
- Messages
- 15,802
- Location
- Prudence Island, RI
- Tractor
- 2007 Kioti DK40se HST, Woods BH
Yes, I did get a chance last weekend to use it for a couple of hours with a rake. I won't be able to get back to try out other uses for a few weeks as I'm overseas. I got some photos but may not be able to post them for a while.
I was very impressed with the ability to use the rake on the FEL. Lots more control and precision and in addition the ability to lift and curl the rake permits actions that are simply not possible with the rear 3pt mount. For example it is easy to clean the rake off without getting out the the seat. I was most impressed though with the ability to see exactly what I was doing and to fine tune the rake height and attack angle with the FEL control.
I also used the adapter to move a couple of 3pt implements around and that is much easier than by hooking up to the rear of the tractor. It gives me the option of building a stacking implement storage unit where I could keep the rake above the box blade for example and just use the adapter to lift the implements into their storage spot.
I also have used the integral 2x2 receiver to attach a ball and move some trailers around. Nice.
I already have a tree boom but if I need something longer I can get a long piece of 2x2 and mount that to the adapter as well. If I did not already have a tree boom I wouldn't bother getting one now that I have the adapter as it duplicates the function, is less expensive, and is much easier to store.
I have just thought of a new use which is to mount a cooler to the receiver hitch so that I can have a cold one close by whenever I am off mowing.
Overall, I have only had a short time to explore its uses but I am impressed that it will be useful and will make some 3pt implements like the rake much more versatile tools. The receiver hitch opens up all sorts of possibilities too.
Clean out your trunk and make another pilgrimage to Wallaceville.
I was very impressed with the ability to use the rake on the FEL. Lots more control and precision and in addition the ability to lift and curl the rake permits actions that are simply not possible with the rear 3pt mount. For example it is easy to clean the rake off without getting out the the seat. I was most impressed though with the ability to see exactly what I was doing and to fine tune the rake height and attack angle with the FEL control.
I also used the adapter to move a couple of 3pt implements around and that is much easier than by hooking up to the rear of the tractor. It gives me the option of building a stacking implement storage unit where I could keep the rake above the box blade for example and just use the adapter to lift the implements into their storage spot.
I also have used the integral 2x2 receiver to attach a ball and move some trailers around. Nice.
I already have a tree boom but if I need something longer I can get a long piece of 2x2 and mount that to the adapter as well. If I did not already have a tree boom I wouldn't bother getting one now that I have the adapter as it duplicates the function, is less expensive, and is much easier to store.
I have just thought of a new use which is to mount a cooler to the receiver hitch so that I can have a cold one close by whenever I am off mowing.
Overall, I have only had a short time to explore its uses but I am impressed that it will be useful and will make some 3pt implements like the rake much more versatile tools. The receiver hitch opens up all sorts of possibilities too.
Clean out your trunk and make another pilgrimage to Wallaceville.
Thanks for the feedback... I was afraid it was going to be as useful as it looked. I wonder how FEL forks would stand up to a front blade for road grading? My trunk has been cleaned out...IslandTractor said:Clean out your trunk and make another pilgrimage to Wallaceville.
but so has my checking account. As soon as I sell the worn out aircraft engine I have laying around... then I am back to Wallaceville for front 3pt hitch and a cab for my CK30.
IslandTractor
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2005
- Messages
- 15,802
- Location
- Prudence Island, RI
- Tractor
- 2007 Kioti DK40se HST, Woods BH
IXLR8 said:
That is my concern too. I am not worried about using the rake as the tines bend when hitting an obstacle but if a rigid blade hit an off center object it could generate quite a twisting force on the long loader arms. I think that the spring mounted snow plow blades would probably be fine but I don't know about a typical 3pt rigid rear blade. Go slow if you do it.
I don't know that there would be any use for a box blade up front but that would be my concern there too.
deputyrpa
Gold Member
I have always been leery about using the FEL for activities akin to bulldozing. It's not so much the pressure on the FEL, but the uneven pressure which can twist. For instance, I just borrowed a friend's 8' Tuff-Line rake, and bent the **** frame by catching a high ridge on the edge of the dam (uh....impoundment) road. Mind you, this is all clay on my dam road, no rocks. Should I have had a FEL-mounted rake, what would have submitted first? I dunno.
And what about a blade? Much less give with that implement. My woods roads have BFRs sticking out of them all over the place. I couldn't think of dropping the FEL and pushing, but I pull a box blade with the rear 3-point.
Maybe I'm way off, but I always viewed and used a FEL for lifting loose material, no dozing. The front 3-point just seems to encourage the use of implements that would get me, for one, into tractor trouble...
And what about a blade? Much less give with that implement. My woods roads have BFRs sticking out of them all over the place. I couldn't think of dropping the FEL and pushing, but I pull a box blade with the rear 3-point.
Maybe I'm way off, but I always viewed and used a FEL for lifting loose material, no dozing. The front 3-point just seems to encourage the use of implements that would get me, for one, into tractor trouble...