Toplink Shape of a top link pin revisited.

[Farmwithjunk]

After spending way too much time searching for the old thread, here's a new one. Some time back there was a question as to why top link pins have their familiar shape. A great deal of the 3-point hitch is still influenced by the first version Harry Ferguson invented. His tractors had the familiar shape we still have today. And there was a reason why they had that shape way back then.

Chains were used to attach pins to prevent them from getting lost. Here's a somewhat rare and very original top link "keeper chain". They were standard equipment from the early '50's until mid '70's. Notice the "s hook" bent around the head of the pin. They were more of an aggravation than anything else. Most of them went under the workbench with-in days of getting a new tractor.

 

[Dargo]

A great deal of the 3-point hitch is still influenced by the first version Harry Ferguson invented.

I don't know for a fact, but it's my impression that almost every 3 pt. hitch used today is based on Harry Ferguson's design. My memory is foggy on the subject, but didn't he come up with that brilliant design somewhere around the time he bought the rights to the Waterloo Gas Tractor, or something like that?

Anyway, if someone would just come up with a good lynch pin that didn't want to snap my finger or thumb when least expected...

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I don't know for a fact, but it's my impression that almost every 3 pt. hitch used today is based on Harry Ferguson's design. My memory is foggy on the subject, but didn't he come up with that brilliant design somewhere around the time he bought the rights to the Waterloo Gas Tractor, or something like that?

Anyway, if someone would just come up with a good lynch pin that didn't want to snap my finger or thumb when least expected...

Every tractor with 3-point is a descendant of that original Black Ferguson. In a few cases, you'll even see details that remind you of the very first hitch. The top link pin has stayed relitively unchanged through the years.

During WW I Ferguson was the British importer for Waterloo Boy tractors. They were sold badged as OVERTIME tractors. About the same time, John Deere came along and bought Waterloo Boy. 3-point with draft control idea was put on paper sometime in the 1920's. (Be it for about 10 years, John Deere could have easily had first shot at 3-point and draft control) "Black Ferguson" the first working tractor was built in late 20's. In the Early 30's, there was the Ferguson & Brown tractor with the same design the ended up on the Ford Ferguson. After Ferguson and Ford parted company, Ferguson started putting his design on a tractor built by STANDARD MOTOR COMPANY. That was for all intents and purposes, the Ferguson TE-20. Post War England was ready for what Ferguson had to sell. His product line was a huge success. Ferguson didn't see the need to get involved in building big tractors. After the merger with Massey Harris, he lost interest in the business.

And about the linch pins. Paint all your fingernails blue so they coordinate with your thumbs. Works for me, your results may vary