tightening sway chains

[Ginormous]

Yes, my sway chains are on the side toward the wheels and attach near the hub. I tightened things up by moving the end of the sway chain to the farther hole in each lift arms. I probably have them as tight as I can get it and still be able to put on an implement without adjusting them. sway of the finish mower is now around 3" total, i.e., about 1.5" to each side from center. I think that's good. I could definitely tighten it up more after attaching the mower, but I'm not sure it's worth the extra work every time.

 

[clemsonfor]

Yes, my sway chains are on the side toward the wheels and attach near the hub. I tightened things up by moving the end of the sway chain to the farther hole in each lift arms. I probably have them as tight as I can get it and still be able to put on an implement without adjusting them. sway of the finish mower is now around 3" total, i.e., about 1.5" to each side from center. I think that's good. I could definitely tighten it up more after attaching the mower, but I'm not sure it's worth the extra work every time.

OK so your saying you can tighten them down? Your suppose to loosen them and tighten them each time you change implements if you want zero movement. I try and shoot for an inch or so on the bush hog and maybe 2-3"s on my disk harrow. But you should be able to tighten them down so there is zero sway. This is for the reason Cali sighted. You dont want it to wander when you back up of flop around on the tail wheel or an incline and "sway " into a fence post or a tree or something your cutting close to. A ground engaging piece will allow some movement and decrease the forces on the parts with a piece in the ground as it can "bounce" or move to the side a bit. Also with wide pins you may have to tighten the arms down to keep them out of the tires if the sway it to much.

 

[winston1]

Another advantage of a quick hitch. Tighten the sway chains once and your done.

 

[Big Wave D]

If possible, add washers between implement and 3pt. lift arms on the implements pins, leaving just enough room for the retainer pin to fit. (Not always possible)

Taking out those couple of inches (if present) can sometimes make the difference for being able to get that last bit of side to side play out.

 

[Ginormous]

Another advantage of a quick hitch. Tighten the sway chains once and your done.

That does sound good. I remember discussing those last year. What's your favorite?

 

[winston1]

Not sure it would be classified as my favorite but I own a Harbor Freight quick hitch. I have re configured several implements to fit it. All category 1 3 point implements are not created equal. All that required a good bit of work but worth it to me. I garden, finish mow, rotary mow, use box and grader blades. Saying all that to say I change implements very regular so the quick and easy change is important to me. Anyone not changing implements often might not find the quick hitch as valuable. I have two implements I have not fitted to the quick hitch, that being a cement mixer and my Yanmar tiller. Those two items are used sparingly so just haven't done them. I seem to be infringing on your sway chain thread but gone this far, might as well attach a picture. This shows my quick hitch pretty good, I fabricated the top swivel which is used on most of my implements. Also note the bushings on the ends of my draw bar. I have these on most all my implements used with the quick hitch because the increased size fits better in the Harbor Freight quick hitch and takes out excessive play. As usual, I've probably rambled to long here. :ashamed:

 

[Ginormous]

Winston -- for some reason, your pic does not display when I click it... maybe just my computer?

 

[winston1]

Winston -- for some reason, your pic does not display when I click it... maybe just my computer?

Don't know, it shows on mine. Some computer guru will know.

 

[Ginormous]

OK so your saying you can tighten them down? Your suppose to loosen them and tighten them each time you change implements if you want zero movement.

I didn't realize you were supposed to tighten them down every time you attach a new implement. Good to know. I should have read my "Tractors for Dummies" book more closely.

I wasn't able to tighten them enough until I moved the attachment position to the farther hole on the lift arms. Now if I can just remember to tighten these and release the brake before I start going... :thumbsup:

 

[Pete Judd]

I always tighten mine down tight. A moving implement if it's heavy can sure bump the tractor around. I don't have a loader yet, and even with all the added weights on the front, the brush hog, if the chains aren't tight, can move the front of the tractor around unexpectedly.