Grading Using the 3 point hitch in an unconventional manner

tmc_31 · Dec 16, 2019

Hey all, I have a NH TN70D. The lower arms on the three point telescope to make hooking it up easier. Also the right arm can be lowered or raised independently of the other via a screw adjustment. I want to use my 6' Rhino box blade to crown a dirt ranch road.

I am thinking about hooking up the box blade and leaving the left side of the lower arm telescoped out and lowering the right side of the blade so I can provide some angle to the box blade to move dirt from the edge of the road to the center.

The telescoping mechanism appears to be pretty strong. my questions are: Has anyone else operated their three point in this manner? Am I introducing undo risk of failure of the 3 point hitch by using it in this manner?

Thanks,

Tim McMurray

CobyRupert · Dec 16, 2019

Lots of people have adjusted the arms to uneven heights to tilt attachments.
Many have also replaced this adjustment linkage with a hydraulic cylinder to tilt attachment. (Sometimes they also replace the top link with a cylinder too, this is known as a "top and tilt" kit.)

I've never heard of anyone pulling attachments with one (or two) lift arms telescoped out. I'd want to check that they're just as strong pulling at this position as they are in their locked position.

3Lfarms · Dec 16, 2019

It should be OK. Those things are usually cast and they are very stout. A couple of times I didnt get one of mine latched and it did not cause any problems.

Gordon Gould · Dec 16, 2019

I don't think that you would get near enough angle to move any more material across the blade than you would by just lowering the ditch side and locking the telescopes properly. But nothing tried nothing gained I guess.

gg

SSdoxie · Dec 16, 2019

I have tried leaving one arm extended. Additional angle is minimal plus when implement is raised off ground gravity, inertia in a turn, or simply bounce of the 3pt will cause the arm to lock back into place. Ram does not lock in extended position.

ruffdog · Dec 16, 2019

It will be very hard to make a box blade act like a land plane.

WranglerX · Dec 16, 2019

Think you dilema on how to move dirt would be better addresses with a scraper blade than a box blade...

Note rotation (vertical pivot) adjustment and also tilt angle adjustment (horizontal pivot) ..

Dale

SPYDERLK · Dec 16, 2019

tmc_31 said:
Hey all, I have a NH TN70D. The lower arms on the three point telescope to make hooking it up easier. Also the right arm can be lowered or raised independently of the other via a screw adjustment. I want to use my 6' Rhino box blade to crown a dirt ranch road.

I am thinking about hooking up the box blade and leaving the left side of the lower arm telescoped out and lowering the right side of the blade so I can provide some angle to the box blade to move dirt from the edge of the road to the center.

The telescoping mechanism appears to be pretty strong. my questions are: Has anyone else operated their three point in this manner? Am I introducing undo risk of failure of the 3 point hitch by using it in this manner?

Thanks,

Tim McMurray

I think that is a good idea and, with the least of caution in the circumstance, still well within the strength of parts. You probably also have some usable bias in sway adjustment to shift the blade L/R which should increase the angle an little. -- In either or both you may want to take measures to ensure the extended link stays out while youre using it.