3 point Hitches explained

elalexander · Oct 10, 2006

I recently bought a used tractor to help me clear off some of my property. My question is, does anyone know of a good article explaining the "proper" way to hook up 3 point implements. (Rock rake, scrapper box etc) The hitch system looks straingt forward but with the adjustments on the bottom chains, top link and right side leveling wheel I know there is more to it then there looks. Should chains be tight, or should implements swing etc. Any help is welcome. Thanks.

N80 · Oct 10, 2006

I know how to use a 3pt hitch on my mower and box blade but I'm not sure I know enough to explain it.

However, it would help to know what tractor you have and maybe even include a picture of your hitch set-up.

Generally, you hook the two bottom links up then the top link then get the chains set so that the implement does not swing side to side. You use the top link to adjust the angle of the blade or rake.

Soundguy · Oct 10, 2006

N80 gave you good info.

in addition, you use the leveling side crank, if you need to.. say.. cut offset deeper on one side.. like with a box blade, or a grader blade.

Pay attention to the toplink. As N80 said.. it will controll the agressiveness of blades.. like box or grader. On mowers, it is used in conjunction with the mowers tail whell so that you can set deck height, and cutting height.

Sway chains keep your implement tracking straight and keep them out of your tires... also keeps them from slamming to one side when you make a turn.

Certain implements will need to have the chains loose... plowing will be one of those situations...

Soundguy

elalexander · Oct 10, 2006

Thanks for the information. The tractor I bought is a Bolens/Iseki 19hp diesel 4wd. The person I got it off of let a RM59 woods mowers, dirt scoop and a 5ft. blade go with it. 1180 hours on the tractor and looks and runns great. I just picked up a 6ft landscape rake and a 5ft box blade. I have never had a tractor and didn't want to do any damage, or set up an unsafe condition. My wife has a digital camera somewhere. I'll try to get some pics. It is a cat.1 3 point hitch and on the left side, from the rear looking forward there is a wheel that the person I bought it from said was for leveling implements? I'm just playing with the rack for now to see how everything works. I did find out I can either make the chains tight or loose and have the rake swing. Again, just asking before I tear something up.

Soundguy · Oct 10, 2006

I think you may find that 5' box blade will/can anchor your 19hp tractor to the ground.. So do practice with it a bit. I used a 5' box on my yanmar 1700.. a similar sized tractor, I just had to learn to take 'small bites'.

Soundguy

Hard · Oct 10, 2006

elalexander said:
Thanks for the information. The tractor I bought is a Bolens/Iseki 19hp diesel 4wd. The person I got it off of let a RM59 woods mowers, dirt scoop and a 5ft. blade go with it. 1180 hours on the tractor and looks and runns great. I just picked up a 6ft landscape rake and a 5ft box blade. I have never had a tractor and didn't want to do any damage, or set up an unsafe condition. My wife has a digital camera somewhere. I'll try to get some pics. It is a cat.1 3 point hitch and on the left side, from the rear looking forward there is a wheel that the person I bought it from said was for leveling implements? I'm just playing with the rack for now to see how everything works. I did find out I can either make the chains tight or loose and have the rake swing. Again, just asking before I tear something up.

That 5' box blade may be too much for the Bolens. I would go back and trade it for a 4' blade. You will probably be more satisfied with the 4' blade performance. I would rather fully utilize my 4' blade than have to finesse a 5' blade. Just my .02

KevinFoshee · Oct 10, 2006

"That 5' box blade may be too much for the Bolens. I would go back and trade it for a 4' blade. You will probably be more satisfied with the 4' blade performance. I would rather fully utilize my 4' blade than have to finesse a 5' blade. Just my .02"

My Mitsubishi D2000ii has 20hp at the pto. It has no problem with a 5' box blade full of dirt.

Try it before you trade anything.

elalexander · Oct 10, 2006

Thanks for all of the useful information. I read a post go out and play with it. One more question.....On the outside of the bottom bars are turnbuckles, on the inside are chains that don't seem to be adjustable. How tight/loose do I need to keep the turnbuckles? Are they different for say a box scraper then they are for a dirt scoop?
Thanks

RalphVa · Oct 10, 2006

If you have turnbuckles on the bottom arms, these need to be tight, to keep the implement from swinging, possibly hitting a rear tire. Loosen them to connect the arms and then tighten up. My turnbuckles came with some dinky cotter pins to keep them from turning once tight. I don't use those. Instead, I just connect some tension cords somewhere on the back to one side of each turnbuckle.

Not sure what your chains do without a picture. They could be limit chains, set to keep an implement from dropping too low.

One of your rear arms is adjustable. Use that side to adjust the levelness of an implement. You can also use this adjustment to provide some tilt to your box blade, like sideways on a slope.

The top link adjust the aggressiveness of your rear blades or box blade. If you have a brush hog back there, use it to adjust the level of the brush hog from front to rear. Or you can crank it up short to raise an implement up more for transport over a longer distance when it isn't in use. Of course, if you made it hydraulic with a hydraulic remote, you can use it to lift above and drop an implement onto things, like high brush.

Ralph

roxynoodle · Oct 10, 2006

My Yanmar is approximately the same size as your Iseki. I would use a 4 ft box blade. The 5 ft BB will bog down the tractor and cause it to lug. If you can trade it back for a 4 ft, I would.

On your chains, you want them tight while you are using an implement or you will find with these narrow tractors that your implements will hit or even get stuck in the tires. It can help with implement hookup/unhooking though to loosen them first and then tighten once the implement is on.

Enjoy your tractor!