Three point hitch operation

[Triumph79]

Ok, first let me say there is lots of good information on this site, but as yet I cannot locate what I need

I am new to this whole tractor thing. I have a Massey gc2610 tlb. It came with a landscape rake. I tried to put it together the other day and discovered that the top link was missing. I ordered a top link on line that, while it "fits", it is too long to lift the rake. Thru this forum, I discovered that a piece of chain will work, and in fact, I was able to scrape/level my driveway.

My questions are as follows.

How long is the top link supposed to be?

How far should the lift arms pivot, mine do no seem to lift very far although I can get the rake about 4" off the ground?

Where can I get a shorter link. The "standard" is about 17"?

Learning every day.

 

[ericm979]

There's no standard for top link length or 3pt lift arm length for that matter. If your top link is too long, get a shorter one. The link's pin size on the implement end is included in the hitch category standard, i.e. cat 1 or cat 2. That standard defines the pin sizes for the implement end of the top link and lift arms and the spacing between the pins on the implement, though that varies in the standard and varies more in real life.

Top links are common and are available at your dealer or at TSC, AgriSupply, etc.

 

[oosik]

Triumph79 - if the landscape rake lifted 4" off the ground and the top link is too long - - then in all likelihood your 3-point lift arms are raising as far ^UP as they are supposed to. Picture a shorter top link hooked to the tractor and your landscape rake - when you raise this imagined situation all the way up - the landscape rake will be even higher than 4" off the ground. A shorter top link will pull any implement higher as the 3-point arms are lifted.

How long is the top link supposed to be - - well, for your landscape rake. Do this - with the rake on the 3-point - no top link installed - raise the 3-point arms until the rake sits level with the ground. This can be called a neutral position. Now measure from the center of the 3-point attachment hole on the tractor to the center of the top link hole on the rake. Lets say the neutral position gives you a measurement of 25".

Lets say you want a top link with ten(10") inches of travel. So you want a top link that has ten inches of travel and is 25 inches long when its screwed in to its "center" position. Center position for the top link will be - when the top link is 25 inches long - - it can be extended 5" to become 30" long or retracted to become 20" long. That is a 25 inch top link with ten inches of travel.

Chances are that when you make your measurement for length of the top link - there will not be a top link at the store that is that exact length. Getting a top link an inch or two either way will not make that much difference.


Buy the way(BTW) - - welcome to TBN and the forum. Just hang in there - you are doing good. Remember to go slow and be safe.

 

[LD1]

Just a question, but did you have the toplink threaded in so it was as short as it could go?

 

[Triumph79]

I've read your post. My issue seems to be that without a top link installed, I am at Almost the top of the "lift". My question then is, How far should the lower lifing arms travel (bottom to top)? Is my pivot moving as far as it should? Is there an adjustment?

By the way, I used a piece of chain and it seems to work.

 

[TractorGuy]

Your GC2610 has a category 1 hitch. The standard cat1 top link would have a 21-28 inch range.

Do yourself a favor and order a quick hitch from Agri Supply. Theirs come with the top hook that sticks out a little further. You will find you need to adapt your implements to all fit it.

 

[jaxs]

You should have an experienced tractor owner or dealer take a look at what you have before there's an accident. With a chain in place of top link,the implement can easily flip forward and hit you or rear tires. This tractor has remote hydraulics and has likely been equipped with a backhoe and/or front loader,there are several possibilities. Amongest other things,I'm thinking the lift arms are for a hoe and shorter than those for 3 point implements. Stop experimenting and get eyes on help before bad things happen.

 

[TractorGuy]

You should have an experienced tractor owner or dealer take a look at what you have before there's an accident. With a chain in place of top link,the implement can easily flip forward and hit you or rear tires. This tractor has remote hydraulics and has likely been equipped with a backhoe and/or front loader,there are several possibilities. Amongest other things,I'm thinking the lift arms are for a hoe and shorter than those for 3 point implements. Stop experimenting and get eyes on help before bad things happen.

These are good points. I hadn't considered it having a 3pt backhoe. I assumed since he described it as a TLB it would come from the factory with a frame mount.

 

[Triumph79]

My problem seems to be that the top link "yoke" does not lift all the way to the top of its travel point. In this case, the lower arms will not lift high enough to connect to the rake with it sitting level. Hydraulic fluid fills the glass so fluid does not appear to be the problem. I even added a litre.

Any ideas? Is there an adjustment?

 

[ArlyA]

Triumph79, I can't help you with the link qestion, but it is nice to have you here with us! I see you reside on Manitoulin Island. We are on the big lake, just NW of you.