3 point hitch not high enough

[zeke83]

I have a sub compact cub cadet 5264d. I borrowed a york rake to do my gravel driveway. The only problem is I can only get the rake tines about 3 inches off the ground when fully raised. I can adjust the top arm to raise it off the ground more, but then it's not level when down. This tractor is new to me and I plan to buy implements for it, but this looks to be an issue I need to solve.

Are there fast hitches or something that can be used change the height of the connection points?

Thanks

 

[pmsmechanic]

Can you shorten the lift links to the lower arms?

 

[atsah]

This is a problem with sub compacts with some attachments. A quick hitch helps because it extends the reach 4 or 5 inchs which means it has a little more leverage. Rakes, blades are a problem with getting them high enough off the ground and still be able to use them. They do make some " sub compact" attachments, TS has a rake designed for the sub.

 

[zeke83]

They are currently 18" long. When I put the 3 point hitch all the way down with nothing attched, the lower arms are only 2 inches off the ground. All the way up, they are 24" off the ground

 

[CobyRupert]

They are currently 18" long. When I put the 3 point hitch all the way down with nothing attched, the lower arms are only 2 inches off the ground. All the way up, they are 24" off the ground

Are they threaded so that you can screw them in more and make them effectively "shorter"?
It's likely one is fixed length (with threads only at one end?), and the other has additional threads and a "turnbuckle" so it's length can be adjusted (to level (or angle) attachments). The adjustable one likely adjusts to a shorter length than the fixed one. It may be possible to replace the fixed length one with an adjustable one so that both their lengths can be minimalized

 

[zeke83]

Only one side is adjustable. I think I may need to try and find some shorter link arms.

 

[Oldoak]

There is only so much adjustments to the 3-point linkage that you can make and there is size restrictions to 3-point hitch implements that a sub-compact tractor can use. Both of which have been pointed out already. Good that you are learning now before actually purchasing implements that aren't suited for your sub-compact tractor.

You can lengthen the lower arms a few inches with a quick hitch attachment but you also loose a little leverage and lifting power, however slight.

Like you are thinking, shorter lifting links may help you the best. Maybe find another adjustable link arm to replace the non-adjustable lifting link.

 

[boggen]

the lower lift arms, were they connect to tractor. there might be another hole in the lower lift arms to attach to tractor.

the turn buckles (2 long eye bolt screws, with a long nut), and then another that is fixed length connecting to lower lift arms, some times were these connect to lower lift arms you have another hole you can connect to within the lower lift arms.

the top link were it connects to tractor, sometimes the tractor has an extra hole or two you can connect top link to.

some times the implement itself has 2 holes were top link connects to it.

some times the implement has 2 or more bolts per say that the lower lift arms attach to it.

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pats easy hitch, might be more useful.

upside down u shape quick hitches, you may need to modify implements to work with them (as in cut and re weld)

telescopic and lower lift arms you might be able to buy some place that might be a bit longer.

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make sure you have your "check chains" the fit between lower lift arms and generally attach around the PTO shaft on rear of tractor

make sure you have your "sway bar/chains" they fit on the outside of lower lift arms and back to tractor.

both of above help stiffen up and protect the 3pt hitch within reason from side way forces.

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3pt hitches have all sort of bars/linkages and can get confusing at times, you might try posting a couple pictures with implement hooked up showing implement and then showing the connection points of the 3pt hitch at tractor and at the implement.

 

[cford36]

It's probably a Limited Cat 1. My John Deere 2210 was also. It's a Cat 1 hitch but does not have the full height of a standard Cat 1. I also had a quick hitch on it. The quick hitches don't change how high you can lift the implements.

 

[ronchp]

The E-Z hitch advertised at carterandsonsllc.com could raise the attachment height of the lift arm a couple of inches. They have a little different design than Pat's and some others have.

 

[jmc]

It's possible, if your connection between the rockshafts and their rotary actuator is splined, you could reassemble the rockshafts a few spline teeth upward to raise the range of motion.

 

[zeke83]

The E-Z hitch advertised at carterandsonsllc.com could raise the attachment height of the lift arm a couple of inches. They have a little different design than Pat's and some others have.

Thanks! This product looks like it will work great

 

[ronchp]

The rockshaft adjustment suggested above may work also.

Be careful not to let the top link hit anything at the top of the tractor frame, if appliciable. I once had a Kubota B3200 with about 10 hrs on it that I bent the sheet metal between the ROPS with the top link when raising an implement. Sigh. Not all tractors have this.

 

[Gator6x4]

After installing the rake on the tractor get it on a level surface. Let it down, hold your hand out with the thumb pointed down and the other fingers extended, rotate the hand until the tip of you thumb is in about the five thirty position. This is about what the rake should look like when in use. Adjust you top link, shortening it will raise the rake up at the rear, lengthening the top link will force the rear of the top link down. If your top link is to long and is already as short as you can make, you may a the wrong top link. Either way contact the dealer and obtain the correct length for the top link or check the owners manual if yo have it to see if the top link length is listed.

 

[Texasmark]

Only one side is adjustable. I think I may need to try and find some shorter link arms.

I think you need to change the word "Shorter" to "Longer". You can control the lowest position with your 3 pt level lever meaning "length" doesn't matter. You can't raise the lift pins high enough. Extending the "radius" of your arc will make for a higher lift. Pat's quick hitches will add a few inches to the lift height and will be easier to connect.

The other thing is if you want to lift the implement higher, like get the tail wheel of a shredder higher in the air when transporting, select the lowest hole on the back of the tractor for the 3rd member connection. This won't affect the lift pin position, but will raise the tail end of the implement higher. If your implement has several holes for the 3rd member pin, like my Morra Tedder, select the one farthest back, if you can do that and still get your implement level when in the work position.