Need to pop out ball joint from 3ph top link

[dcwatson84]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I've gotten a hold of a grinder, and will try that method first.

284 International - You are correct that the bracket is a little low for a top link, and if I do get a top link in there, then as the implement raises it will force it to tilt inwards to compensate for the toplink being rigid. I don't think it will allow it to tilt enough to do any damage, but I will have to watch it the first time I hook it up. With this plow a little inward tilt probably wouldnt be a bad thing? since it would get the 2nd bottom up off the ground a little better.

I've also gotten a hold of a top link bracket that goes around the rocker shaft, like some conversion kits, and I'll try that method as well. My only concern is that it wont function correctly because the rocker shaft on my tractor is ~4 inches higher than the ones on the conversion kit.

FYI heres a photo of the bracket - and the rocker shaft.
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/tib_15AMZljIufSw5doF5Q?feat=directlink
The lift arms seem to be connected to where the draw bar used to be, which I think is a little low, and has also been a problem, since it seems most implements want the arms to be ~2ft off the ground.

Someone also suggested taking the entire bracket plate (visible in the photo) and flipping it upside down, which it looks like may work, and would put the bracket 6 or so inches higher. I'm going to try the other methods first though.

 

[dcwatson84]

Well, the grinder worked! Ive got the top link on, and it seems to be working fine. However, I've got a new problem...

My tractors hydraulics cant lift the plow enough. I don't think this is an issue with the hydraulics, since they worked fine with other things, I think the plow is just too heavy, and too long, and the 2nd bottom is putting so much leverage on the hitch that it just wont do it.

The hitch can lift the front bottom an inch or so off the ground, but once it starts to reach the point where the rear bottom is about to lift, it just gets hung (I tested the hitch under no load to make sure it wasnt hitting the end of the cynlinder - thats not an issue)

Does that sound like a reasonable explanation? Or should I be concerned that somethings wrong with the hydraulics?

 

[SPYDERLK]

The toplink fasten point to the tractor is too low. It significantly resists the lift as the upward angle of TL increases as the lift proceeds.
larry

 

[dcwatson84]

I thought something like that might be the issue so I replaced the stiff top link with a chain and it still fails to lift. There isnt anything bound-up or blocked thats preventing it from lifting, it just cant lift it.

 

[284 International]

Spyderlk is right. It's the geometry of the apparatus. With that low three point link you're working against the whole tractor. Wrap your chain around the top rocker shaft and try it.

What do you use on the three point that does work ok?