attaching 3 point implements

[rpoe]

Sorry for the newbie question, but I (and my back) need a lesson in 3 point hitches. I bought a 6 foot landscape rake today. Brought it home in a small trailer, hooked up chains and got it out with my 3940 Kubota. Then the fun began. I had never attached an implement to the tractor, I've only had the tractor about a month. This rake is really not horribly heavy, I could pick up one side at a time and wrestle it into place, but I'd hate to do it every day. What happens with heavier implements? Are there hand trucks or something similar to move these things around? I lowered the hitch as far down as possible and made it easier, but still not easy. I had to adjust the width quite a bit, and hope I did it right (removed pins and as the arms slid they widened). Also, the lower arms can be extended about 4 inches but I don't understand how that helps. I was amazed at the design/engineering of the hitch, and am suspecting that there's an easier way to do this, I just don't know about it. I would sure appreciate any advice or maybe links to learning it better. Thanks.

 

[ayelvington]

Get a quick-hitch my friend, and you will never look back!

I had a neighbor help me the first time I hooked something up. There is nothing like two people getting their hands dirty together, learning something, and sharing a laugh.

Best wishes!

 

[bc realtor]

use blocks on the attachments after using them to keep them at the right height. always park the attachments to have a quick hook up in the future. A few magnets on the fenders help to hold pins for when you need them.

 

[Turbo]

I use pallets and a pallet jack to move it up or down and a around.
and front forks to store it

 

[KU Gator]

You can spend a lot of time practicing, fighting it, and cussing. Or you can get the Pat's quick hitches advertised on this site and keep your back and religion if applicable in tact. I had a fight with my rotary mower the first time I tried to take it off after having help at the dealership getting it hooked up. No question some of that was me not knowing what I was doing, but after getting the quick hitches, I switch the implements without thinking about it. Yes you have to get off the tractor to hook up the upper link or unhook it, but there isn't a lot of drama and they will fit any implement without modification.

 

[JWE]

I made Dollys for most of my implements and it makes them easy to mount and to push them back in the corner when you remove them. See attached photos.

 

[brandoro]

With the extendable lower links it is easy, back the tractor up until one arm or the other touches the implement pin position, unlatch the extendable part of the lower arm, slide the end out, pin it. Do the same on the other side. Connect the top link then lift the implement slightly off the ground and the extensions on the lower arms should latch back in and you are all set.
If the lower arm extensions don't latch back in you may have to apply some lube to the sliding surfaces. Something that dries but stays slippery is best here so it doesn't collect to much dirt. If they still won't latch back in then place the implement at least partially on the ground and back up gently until they latch.
My B3030 has the extensions on the lower arms, if my previous tractors had them I wouldn't have bothered getting the quick hitch that I now use only occasionally.

 

[pndqkb]

What Ku Gator said , but Pat's new quick hitch slide model. You will love this.
Very easy to install. Makes hitching and unhitching almost fun.:thumbsup:

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

With the extendable lower links it is easy, back the tractor up until one arm or the other touches the implement pin position, unlatch the extendable part of the lower arm, slide the end out, pin it. Do the same on the other side. Connect the top link then lift the implement slightly off the ground and the extensions on the lower arms should latch back in and you are all set.
If the lower arm extensions don't latch back in you may have to apply some lube to the sliding surfaces. Something that dries but stays slippery is best here so it doesn't collect to much dirt. If they still won't latch back in then place the implement at least partially on the ground and back up gently until they latch.
My B3030 has the extensions on the lower arms, if my previous tractors had them I wouldn't have bothered getting the quick hitch that I now use only occasionally.

bc realtor
Bronze Member

Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Vancouver Island BC
Posts: 90

Re: attaching 3 point implements
use blocks on the attachments after using them to keep them at the right height. always park the attachments to have a quick hook up in the future. A few magnets on the fenders help to hold pins for when you need them.

I am a big quick hitch supporter. Pat's is great and some on Ebay are a lot cheaper and not as strong. With the info above, you probably don't need a quick hitch. If you have a paved floor the dollies are also helpful. I had an L3240 with extendable arms so I didn't need the Pat's (That I own until this afternoon) and the cheaper ones on Ebay that I still own are necessary for the back, fingers and hands for those that don't have telescoping arms. Even with telescoping arms the QA's could help a slight bit, maybe, not sure how, but maybe in some case.

 

[TripleR]

I second or third the use of PATS or quick hitch and will add that use of a hydraulic top link also helps. I got a tip from TEXASJOHN on making an extender to operate that from the back. I use my wife for a "remote installation assistant" as we both enjoy this sort of "work", but if no one has an assistant, it really helps.

To the OP, trouble hooking up 3-point is not unique to "newbies".

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

One "Oh by the way" on quick hitches. Some extend back from arms several inches so if you have an implement that has a drive shaft it my set the hook up so far back that the drive shaft is to short. That's why my QH's are not on my BX2660 today, I have my tiller on it and the arms made it to long to hook up the drive shaft on the tiller. Question: Those that own the QH's that the hook is over the top of the arms which will solve the to far back issue, do they present much of a problem of sitting to high where 3 ph arms only drop so low and implements are low to the ground? I guess implements could be held up on top of something when they are released from 3 ph. See them on Ebay for $70 to $90.

 

[BigD23]

I'm gonna 4th it, Pat's without a doubt...Good luck.

Don

 

[Baby Grand]

The first few month that I used my tractor (complete nube) I used to dread having to deal with the 3PH. There was much cussing, grinding of teeth and a general atmosphere of bad karma around the back of that machine.

My suggestions:

As others have posted, when you detatch your implement:
1) Make sure it's on level ground that won't shift or get soft.
2) Make sure you block it up, so the pins are at the right height next time you back up to it to hitch up.
3) Consider using pallets if your ground gets very soft during the monsoon season or after a thaw.
4) If you have forks then pallets also greatly improve your abiliy to move your implements around when they're not attached to your tractor.

Study your 3PH:
Notice that if you lift the right side arm, the left side arm moves up with it.
Examine all of the adjustments - it's really an ingenious device constructed out of the most basic of machine elements - holes, pins & links.

Keep a good, strong, 5 or 6 foot long lever handy. You can move just about anything with one.

Telescoping ends really help!

Pratice, practice, practice.

I kind of enjoy getting hitched up now and try to see how effortlessly I can do it. Concentration helps.

-Jim

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

The first few month that I used my tractor (complete nube) I used to dread having to deal with the 3PH. There was much cussing, grinding of teeth and a general atmosphere of bad karma around the back of that machine.

My suggestions:

As others have posted, when you detatch your implement:
1) Make sure it's on level ground that won't shift or get soft.
2) Make sure you block it up, so the pins are at the right height next time you back up to it to hitch up.
3) Consider using pallets if your ground gets very soft during the monsoon season or after a thaw.
4) If you have forks then pallets also greatly improve your abiliy to move your implements around when they're not attached to your tractor.

Study your 3PH:
Notice that if you lift the right side arm, the left side arm moves up with it.
Examine all of the adjustments - it's really an ingenious device constructed out of the most basic of machine elements - holes, pins & links.

Keep a good, strong, 5 or 6 foot long lever handy. You can move just about anything with one.

Telescoping ends really help!

Pratice, practice, practice.

I kind of enjoy getting hitched up now and try to see how effortlessly I can do it. Concentration helps.

-Jim

Lack of concentration can hurt.

 

[Johndeere3720]

I got a JohnDeere imatch on my tractor and got one on my grandpa's tractor. They make a world of a difference. You just back up to the implement, line up the pins, lift your implement, and flip down two handels. Implement is on. If there is a PTO, that is the only thing you will have to get off the tractor to hook up. well worth the $$$ and your back. I recomend the imatch ano or pats system. They both work great.