3-Point Hitch Three point hitch?

[BAGTIC]

Does anyone know if it is possible to mount a three point hitch on the back of a PT425? I thought the 'Delta' style 3-point mount would made them as easy to hook up as the regular PT mount and we would not need to do so many tasks (rototilling, etc.) 'backwards'.

There are a lot of 3-point implements available (new and used) that are not available from PT.

 

[FOURTEEN]

I doubt that a three point hitch on the back of a PT425 would be very useful! Notice that due to the articulated steering the rear end swings greatly from side to side, and most implements are designed to be pulled smoothly forward!! Although I have mounted a 2" Receiver on the rear of my PT-425, I find it much easier, for example, to tow and maneuver my trailers using my conventional CUT with its three point hitch and ball. A three point hitch extending out the rear of a PT-425 would about double the amplitude of that tail wagging!!! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

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[MossRoad]

They offered a rear hitch on some of the models a few years ago(and someone here has one... I'm ashamed to admit I can't remember who... a drink name comes to mind... darn brain). It was for their implements.

What type of 3 point implement do you want to use on it that isn't covered by PT or couldn't be easily adapted to the PT quick attach plate?

 

[BAGTIC]

One of the reasons I was attracted to the PT was that I have congenital cervical arthritis. It makes it very difficult to turn or raise and lower my head. Anyone old enough to remember TV host Ed Sullivan has an idea of what I am talking about.

When I go shopping my wife looks behind for me as I back out of horizontal parking spaces. When I am alone I find a 'drive through' space even though it means walking farther.

I like the idea of a front mounted mower and auger as I can easily keep an eye on them without twisting. Also the front mounted mower would enable me to mow under low bushes and tree branches as I also have difficulty 'ducking' under overhead obstructions or even getting in and out of modern passenger cars with their low roof lines.

I do think it would be easier for me to use a three point rear mounted tiller to quickly back in to a garden space and then slowly drive out forward than to back out while continually looking over my shoulder to see where I was going. Some other rear mounted implements I might be interested in, though they would not necessarily require a three point hitch, are a small trailer and a chipper.

Has anyone here had any experience with the 'Delta" quick attach adapter for a three point hitch.

http://www.deltahook.com/

Re: the comments about the rear end of a PT 'swinging' I don't understand the problem. The PT is articulated like a tractor/trailer or 5th wheeler. I have been pulling boats and 5th wheelers for 50 and 30 years respectively without any problem. The front unit guides and the rear unit follows.

Any 'swinging' is due to rear overhang as the rear unit pivots on its wheels. The PT's wheels are very near the rear of the chassis with little overhang. If there were a problem with rear mounted implements I doubt that Power-Trac would be offering models (PT-2425, etc.) with rear mounted backhoes.

 

[Sedgewood]

<font color="red"> I do think it would be easier for me to use a three point rear mounted tiller to quickly back in to a garden space and then slowly drive out forward than to back out while continually looking over my shoulder to see where I was going </font>

I don't share your problem but I sure did get tired of looking over my shoulder back in my utility tractoring days. I MUCH prefer having the action up front, even with the attachments that require me to work backing up.

I do a fair amount of road maintenance with a box blade and landscape rake on my 1845. My solution to the "looking over my shoulder" problem was to mount a pair of 7 x 10 mirrors (flat ones) centered over the wheel track. With a little practice I can hold a pretty good line without turning to look. The mirrors are on swing-away mounts so I can easily fine tune them "on the fly" if I need to articulate a curve. This setup works pretty well for me.

Sedgewood

 

[MossRoad]

A couple of things you might want to consider, then...

A PT with the ROPS/Canopy provides a huge area clear of your head to mount mirrors both on the sides, like Sedgewood reports, and a rearview wide angle under the ROPS out in front, automotive style. You would rarely have to turn your head. I am considering these just for the convenience and safety factor, myself.

As for the side motion...

The easiest way to explain it would be to take two pencils and lay them on a table, tip to tip with the tips touching. Hold both pencils in the middle, one with each hand. While keeping the tips together, start rotating your left hand counter clockwise and your right hand clockwise. The tips represent the middle of the Power Trac, where it articulates and the erasers represent the front and rear of the tractor. The point where you are holding the pencils represent where the tires will be. You can then see how far the front and rear can swing, as well as the operator's seat, which would be right over the pencil tips.

Since the unit bends in the middle, if you are at a standstill and have the unit turned all the way to the right with an attachment on the front, say a bucket or the forks, and you then crank the wheel all the way to the left, the bucket or forks will move to the left 2-3 feet even though you have made no forward or reverse progress. Like a big, sweeping arc. Anything that is attached to the rear will do the same.

It is kind of neat. At full turn to the right, the right wheels are only about a foot apart and the left wheels are almost 3 feet apart. As you turn the wheel to the left, the right front tire rolls forward while the right rear tire rolls backward. The left front tire rolls backward while the left rear tire rolls forward. If you start turning the wheel the other way, the rotation of the wheels reverses. The distance between the front and rear tires is always changing as you turn.

I like to keep a cup of ice water on the fence post while I work. When I am thirsty, I drive over parallel to the fencepost, but cannot reach the cup. I crank the wheel all the way to one side and I end up a foot closer to it. I can reach over and get it. Very interesting feeling when operating for the first time. Takes a while to get use to it, but as you operate more, it becomes second nature. You almost wear the tractor, rather than sit on it. It becomes an extension of your arms and legs and off you go to do increadible amounts of work in a short amount of time. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif