When do you let the 3ph stabilizers float?

[charlesw]

So, the manual that I got with my tractor says that most of the time you want to lock the stabilizers (rigid side bars - instead of check chains) in place (for length) but that sometimes you let them float. Well, other than for plowing (which is explicitly stated as a floating position. Why? Well, why not?!?), when do I let the stabilizers float? Brushhog? Rake? Box blade? Sub soiler? When using the 3ph to transport hay bales? (This was a lot easier when I just had check chains - I didn't have to worry about it!) Will the manuals (that I didn't receive) for my implements talk about how to set it for each one?

thx,
charles

 

[andrewj]

So, the manual that I got with my tractor says that most of the time you want to lock the stabilizers (rigid side bars - instead of check chains) in place (for length) but that sometimes you let them float. Well, other than for plowing (which is explicitly stated as a floating position. Why? Well, why not?!?), when do I let the stabilizers float? Brushhog? Rake? Box blade? Sub soiler? When using the 3ph to transport hay bales? (This was a lot easier when I just had check chains - I didn't have to worry about it!) Will the manuals (that I didn't receive) for my implements talk about how to set it for each one?

thx,
charles

I tried float with all ground engaging and thought I was going insane, as nothing worked right! only when I locked it in did things work predictably. It only helped with bushhogging with I would hit something,, but the "help" wasn't worth taking two pins out for it...

 

[greg_g]

You guys apparently have a different definition for float than I do. I see absolutely no purpose in disconnecting my vertical stabilizers for the purpose of letting the lower lift arms "dangle". Of course, they'll always float UP regardless. But both my vertical stabilizers are adjustable, so I just turn them to the farthest level I want my lower lift arms to drop when I have no hydraulic pressure applied.

Do either of you have draft control on your tractors?

//greg//

 

[vallyfarm]

I'll try to say this without making myself look too stupid. If you are using a york rake,rear blade, or something that you are attempting to move the horizontal position of, you can lock the arms. If you are pulling something IN the dirt ( plow, subsoil,trench,cultivate,etc) or do something that is ATTACHED to the dirt ( brush hog, mow, sycle bar,etc) let the arms be able to move. As a basic rule of thumb, if a back blade or york rake, or something you need to drive backwards to make work ( one of those 3pt dirt scoops) isn't being used, let them move. The 3pt is designed to track straight and true behind the tractor if moving foward. If you might contact something to upset this arangement, let the arms move. Do I sound stupid yet? I hope this helps, Mike

 

[RobS]

On my 790 the float is rotation of the tph implement around the tractor centerline. This is accomplished with slots where the lift arms connect the lower links. I tend to leave it in float position (slots opened up) for all but ground engaging as Mike alluded to. I first discovered it using my landscape rake. I was getting gouges instead of the nice, smooth surface I wanted. I tried the float and it completely eliminated the gouges. The rake can follow the contour of the ground. I also use it for brush-hogging and it has eliminated gouging by allowing the cutter to ride up on it's skids on high spots. I just put my rear blade on for snow and I switched back to no-float because I couldn't remember which way I've used it before. I'll try it and change again if needed. About the only thing I wouldn't use float for in my arsenal is the box blade, which I don't use much anymore.

 

[charlesw]

Do either of you have draft control on your tractors?

Ayup. But we're talking about horizontal bars. And I don't mean float in the hydraulic sense - I mean float in the sense of allowing them to move or in keeping them fixed in place.

These are the items (bars or chains) connecting the lower arms of the 3ph to, well, the axle, I suppose.

c

 

[charlesw]

About the only thing I wouldn't use float for in my arsenal is the box blade, which I don't use much anymore.

Ah. Well, thank you - Mike said it, but you reinforced it. Now I suppose I have to see if it was delivered locked or floating

 

[Champy]

So these are the "Sway Links" in my users manual that resemble giant turn buckles for adjusting the side-to-side motion of the lower 3PH attachment bars (draft links). I'm not sure I understand how these allow the attachment to float up/down - don't these links control sideways motion?

How do you put these rigid links into "float" position? Disconnect them altogether or is it a retainer pin?

 

[charlesw]

So these are the "Sway Links" in my users manual that resemble giant turn buckles for adjusting the side-to-side motion of the lower 3PH attachment bars (draft links). I'm not sure I understand how these allow the attachment to float up/down - don't these links control sideways motion?

How do you put these rigid links into "float" position? Disconnect them altogether or is it a retainer pin?

Yes, these are probably sway links. On my machine they are two square bars, one inside of the other, with a lot of holes so that you can fix them to any number of widths. Which answers the last question, I suppose! And... I'm talking about moving freely left and right and not up and down! [Boy! This language stuff sure is complicated ]

 

[shaley]

I don't think my hitch has all the features or parts you are talking about and
I think the 3PH in this photo is from a 8N or something old and may not reflect what we have today but I hope it can help clear up terminology.