3PH top link... which mounting hole

[Ira]

My Kioti CX2510 has three mounting holes for the 3PH top link. The owners manual doesn't say anything about which hole to use. Tractor was delivered with the top link in the middle hole. I have a GWT quick attach on the 3PH.

What factors should be considered when deciding which hole to use? I only have one implement (flail mower) and it doesn't say anything about it. Does it really matter?

 

[LouNY]

Many tractors with top link draft sensing for the draft control will use the different holes for a sensitivity adjustment, with the hole furthest from the sensor being more sensitive. Not having draft control which ever hole allows for the best adjustment for your implement.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Typically, with non-draft control 3pt hitches, the only reason to use the different pin location on the tractor side is to change how the implement is raised.
Top pin hole normally lifts the implement relatively parallel to the ground. As you lower the pin location, the implement is raised in an arc as well as being raised higher.
The lowest pin location will raise the implement the highest when in the fully raised position.

 

[Rockbadchild]

yup... as MtnViewRanch said... it depends on the implement, I mostly use the center holes but some need to be on the lower hole to lift high enough.

 

[RayIN]

My tractor operators manual says to never use the bottom hole, it's for higher HP tractors; use the top hole for normal use. It continues to say to use the middle hole for sub-soil and other heavy work. It is not simply to raise a 3-pt implement higher, although that is an option it seems.

 

[wirlybird]

Here is what it says for my John deere.

 

[Ira]

Last two posts are interesting. @RayIN's manual says to "go lower" as load increases, and @wirlybird's says to "go higher" as load increases.

@RayIN what kind of tractor you have?

@wirlybird On your photo of the manual page, it looks like the mounting holes move forward as they move up. Is that correct? Mine all line up vertically.

Thanks for the all the responses.

 

[wirlybird]

Last two posts are interesting. @RayIN's manual says to "go lower" as load increases, and @wirlybird's says to "go higher" as load increases.

@RayIN what kind of tractor you have?

@wirlybird On your photo of the manual page, it looks like the mounting holes move forward as they move up. Is that correct? Mine all line up vertically.

Thanks for the all the responses.

Yes, they do move forward from bottom to top.
Tractor is a John Deere 3038E. I use the bottom hole for my brush hog so the rear will raise more when I lift.

 

[LouNY]

Tractors using top link sensing will have a link to the top link that moves slightly with the pull. Some will have the sensing element on the bottom of the link some on the top. The hole position adjusts the mechanical advantage to the sensing point

 

[Ira]

As a reference point, here's the image in my owner manual...

 

[LouNY]

So no draft control, the mounting position will only effect how the implement raises.
See the last sentence in @wirlybird s post for each position.

 

[RayIN]

Last two posts are interesting. @RayIN's manual says to "go lower" as load increases, and @wirlybird's says to "go higher" as load increases.

@RayIN what kind of tractor you have?

@wirlybird On your photo of the manual page, it looks like the mounting holes move forward as they move up. Is that correct? Mine all line up vertically.

Thanks for the all the responses.

My MF cat2 top casting looks like this:

It pivots at the bottom, the top is attached to a very strong spring that activates the hyd sensor.
BTW, that is not a picture of my tractor, it's a copy N paste from the web.

 

[wirlybird]

So no draft control, the mounting position will only effect how the implement raises.
See the last sentence in @wirlybird s post for each position.

Yes, and for me anyways, I select the bottom one for things like my brush hog which I want the rear to raise more when I lift it, whereas, with my box blade or land plane I may want it to raise more parallel to the ground while I am using them.

 

[RjCorazza]

I have always used the center hole on my non draft control equipped tractors. My pole barn (built last year) required me to use the bottom hole to lift implements high enough to clear the entryway ramp to the barn.
The barn was built on an existing slab that required the wonky ramp, but I should have made the entry ramp longer than the 3' concrete ramp that I poured.

 

[kneedeep]

Mahindra 60 series

 

[CoyPatton]

Typically, with non-draft control 3pt hitches, the only reason to use the different pin location on the tractor side is to change how the implement is raised.
Top pin hole normally lifts the implement relatively parallel to the ground. As you lower the pin location, the implement is raised in an arc as well as being raised higher.
The lowest pin location will raise the implement the highest when in the fully raised position.

True. If on relatively flat/level ground it may never be an issue, but if in hills or need to cross ditches a few inches of extra lift may be the difference between continuing on your way and the rear axle being losing traction.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

I only have "position control" on my Kubota L5030 ... But I have mine in the top hole of three ... Have only used it with a brush hog so far ...

 

[dieselscout80]

My TC45DA says “Attach the link using the lower hole, 1; for light draft loads, such as mowers.

Attach the link to the top hole, 2, for heavier draft loads, such as ground engaging equipment.

 

[ksbrdmkr]

For inground the draft actually forces the the top arm towards the tractor depending on how much draft. So if there is a draft sensor in the top think leverage.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

A hydraulic top link from Brian elegantly solves the need-more-lift issues.