Chains Tire chains hitting 3-pt hitch.

[TrooperChuck]

I bought a Ford 1700 last summer. It's the first tractor I've owned and I really like it. But, now that winter is here and I'm using it to plow snow, I'm having trouble...

I'm using a rear blade, but the tire chains keep snagging the 3-point hitch. Now, I have a damaged hitch and damaged tire chains!

What am I doing wrong???

Also, where can I get an owners manual for this tractor?

 

[Hooked_on_HP]

My first guess would be that the sway chains(the chains that go from the lift arms to the axle housing) are not adjusted properly. There is a turn buckle that you adjust on each side to center the implement and prevent side to side movement. Another problem could be loose chains.
Bill

 

[RickB]

You can order manuals direct from New Holland here:

Operators, Parts and Service Manuals

or here:

https://www.newhollandtechpubs.com/

 

[TrooperChuck]

Thanks RickB for the info on New Holland manuals. They had what I needed and I just placed an order for one.

After reading HookedonHP's post, and several others, I think I had the sway chains tightened way too tight. Since I'm new to tractors, where would I find info on proper tensioning for dragging a rear blade?

 

[jstrasser]

If you do have your "sway chains" too tight, it would be difficult if not impossible to pull the lower arms in to get them onto the implement.

I found that I had less than no clearance between the lower arms and the double ring tire chains mounted on R4 tires.

I took one of the lower implement pins and turned it around so both of the lower pins are pointed to the left. This allows the lower 3 point arms to be closer together and give the tire chains more clearance.

This may be against every 3 pt rule out there and bring the wrath of god down on me.... but it works.

John

 

[atgreene]

Where are your tires set width-wise? Can they be set out father? If you have no implement use a rubber bungee to keep the arms pulled together and loosen the sway chain turnbuckle to keep them away from the tires, with an implement the catch chains should not allow much movement side to side.

The wider stance on the wheels is an all around good thing anyway as it makes the tractor more stabil on slopes, so that would be a two-fer, more stabil and less 3 pth arm-hitting-tires-issue.