Newbie needs 3pt hitch advice

Bob_Trevithick · Dec 24, 2001

...Estif should have it right in his first assumption. Alters the angle of attack.

Yes, this makes the most sense to me also. I'm curious though.. what do other tractor makers say about this in their manuals? All my Deere manual says is that it's a weight issue. Do any of the other brands offer better/different explanations?

Thanks,
Bob

Bob Trevithick

Bird · Dec 24, 2001

Do any of the other brands offer better/different explanations?

Yes and no, Bob. I've used a number of tractors with the 3 holes for the top link, but my B2710 only has two. And the manual shows the top one as (1) and the bottom one as (2). Then it says (1) is standard. (2) is used only when there is some obstacle that prevents you from using the standard. I don't think I'd consider that a better explanation, but at least it is different./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Bob_Trevithick · Dec 24, 2001

...Then it says (1) is standard. (2) is used only when there is some obstacle that prevents you from using the standard. I don't think I'd consider that a better explanation, but at least it is different./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Well, this supports my idea of using the top position until something compels me to consider using one of the others.

Thanks, Bird. And thanks for seconding the duct tape suggestion for my recalcitrant fuse box door. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Merry Christmas, you guys!

Bob

Bob Trevithick

jb112454 · Dec 25, 2001

hi bob, looks like you have alot of input on this subject. will how about some more. my manual says"the top and middle are for attaching the implement without drawing", "the middle or bottom is for attaching with drawing" and the top should be used when driving the tractor on field roads". the last one i'm not quite sure what they mean but if you have no draft control on your 4300 (god only knows why jd did that) then it makes no difference where you attach. so go for the middle that's what i use. my kioti dk35 came with draft control standard. sorry i couldn't hold back.

JB

Bob_Trevithick · Dec 25, 2001

Hi JB,

Okay, now I'm totally confused!! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

I may end up having to figure out the geometry to make any sense of this. The manuals might as well have said "We put in this feature. We don't know why, but it seemed like a neat thing to do." LOL!

Thanks,
Bob

Bob Trevithick

JackIL · Dec 25, 2001

Draft Control for the 3 point hitch is typically not standard equipment on compact utility tractors. It is available as an option on the JD 4500-4700 but not on the smaller 4000s. Its function is to cause the hitch to slightly raise or lower to compensate for variations in soil draft load from a tillage implement such as a moldboad plow, disk, or cultivator. It trys to do automatically what an operator would do by "feathering" the position of the rockshaft arms to try to keep the tractor moving at a steady speed. Note that this is useful only if maintaining absolute depth is not essential.

Draft control and Position Control are not the same. Most compact utilities have position control. Some on the smaller end of the range do not. With position control, the angular location of the hitch control lever in the slot corresponds to a unique angular positon of the rockshaft arms. Thus you can always reset to the same depth by moving the control lever to the same position (usually determined by setting a depth stop.)

The specifications of the hitch of Kioti tractors on the website www.kioti.com indicates that position control is standard, but no mention of an optional draft control is made. This is not to say it is unavailable--just that it isn't mentioned in the specs published on the web.

Earlier posts here have already described the most noticable effect of the various hole positions for attaching the top link to the tractor--choice of hole allows variation in the pitch or "angle of attack" of the implement. Choosing a high hole means the implement will raise and lower with relatively little change in tilt. Choosing a lower hole for attaching the top link (same length as before) to the tractor makes the rear of the implement tilt upward more thus giving more ground clearance when it is raised. Sometimes this is needed on implements like scraper blades to allow enough ground clearance when driving onto ramps when loading onto a trailer.