Pulling with Three Point HItch

[jeff9366]

Top five significant developments in ag machinery.

By Sam Moore - December 6, 2012

Irishman Harry Ferguson can claim credit for the first hydraulic lift with automatic draft control. By 1933, he had perfected a way of attaching an implement to a tractor by three arms. The tension load on the lower arms and the compression load on the upper arm caused the virtual hitch point to be near the tractor's front axle, thus keeping the front end of the tractor on the ground.

~~Draft Control~~​

In addition, the top link compression load operated a hydraulic valve that caused the implement depth to be automatically regulated according to the draft needed to pull it.

Ferguson's three-point hitch was probably the most revolutionary improvement in tractor and implement technology during the first half of the 20th century. Today, virtually every tractor sold anywhere in the world features a three-point hitch based on Ferguson's original system.

 

[ovrszd]

When doing tasks such as skidding a log or pulling a tree or moving dollied trailers, etc., I use the 3pt. I use the 3pt for everything except long term ground engagement equipment use.

The 3pt multiplies the ability of a tractor to pull heavy loads by several times. As my Dad would say, if you don't have the front tires off the ground you have not reached the tractor's abilities.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Pulled many logs with the 3ph using 8N. Steer with the brakes.

 

[ovrszd]

Pulled many logs with the 3ph using 8N. Steer with the brakes.

Isn't that why they call them "steering brakes"??

 

[wcampbell47]

Pulled many logs with the 3ph using 8N. Steer with the brakes.

Back in '66 I pulled logs from the woods to the loading site using a Ford Workmaster. The log tongs were attached to the drawbar on the 3 point. There were many a log pulled where the front wheels never touched the ground on the way out. I knew the route I was taking and my foot rested on the clutch just in case. No ROPS then. Also tried to hook the log so that if the tractor tried to come too far back the drawbar would rest on the log itself to prevent roll over. That old gas Workmaster would walk and talk when I got hold of a big one.

My Dad skidded logs with a Percheron stallion. He always said he had to be careful throwing the tongs on a log. Seemed that stallion was ready to move the log even if he was not out of the way.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Back in '66 I pulled logs from the woods to the loading site using a Ford Workmaster. The log tongs were attached to the drawbar on the 3 point. There were many a log pulled where the front wheels never touched the ground on the way out. I knew the route I was taking and my foot rested on the clutch just in case. No ROPS then. Also tried to hook the log so that if the tractor tried to come too far back the drawbar would rest on the log itself to prevent roll over. That old gas Workmaster would walk and talk when I got hold of a big one.

My Dad skidded logs with a Percheron stallion. He always said he had to be careful throwing the tongs on a log. Seemed that stallion was ready to move the log even if he was not out of the way.

No help at all there until you hit the ["fragile"] top stop. The lift arms need to be fixed downward to get a real safety benefit.
,,,larry

 

[wcampbell47]

No help at all there until you hit the ["fragile"] top stop. The lift arms need to be fixed downward to get a real safety benefit.
,,,larry

You do realize this was before you were born, that I don't have that tractor and that I am not involved in that activity any longer. It was just a trek down memory lane and did not require a response.

 

[SPYDERLK]

You do realize this was before you were born, that I don't have that tractor and that I am not involved in that activity any longer. It was just a trek down memory lane and did not require a response.

Really? I thought you meant 1966. Back then I was running a JD 2010.

 

[LD1]

Yep, pulling logs or stumps or anything else from a 3PH drawbar "CAN" be dangerous.

Big difference with implements like a blade or plow, other than pulling from a lower position, is since the implement is rigidly attached, it kinda acts as a wheelie bar. A 3PH drawbar or one of them "handi-hitch" things just dont extend reward far enough to do any good. Thus there is nothing keeping the tractor from going on over.