Easy storage & hookup to 3 pt

[Chris in IN]

Today I solved the problem of storing my 3 pt implements inside & keeping easy access for hookups & in the process made hooking up the implements much easier. Since I bought my compact tractor last November, it has been a chore to keep the implements out of the weather and keep the garage organized so I could hook them up. I solved the problem today by making platforms with casters to set each implement on. I can now store the implements lined up next to the wall. When I need to use one I can simply roll it over to the tractor. The casters make it easy to line up the pins for hookup.
The frames I made are simple rectangles made with 4 2" X 6"s with lapped corners, a swivle caster on each corner. For the grader blade I had to add an up right frame for the blade hitch to set on. I made these for my large PTO chipper, tiller, grader blade & box blade. For the bush hog I took a 2" X 8" cut 4" longer than the width of the deck, added 1 1/2" cleats to the ends & 2 swivel casters on each end. Just roll this under the hitch end of the bush hog and lower the mower on it. Hope this is helpful. Chris

 

[ejb]

Chris, that is exactly the plan I am hoping to put into use myself (I hate leaving anything out in the weather), but until I get rid of the gravel floor in my workshop, pushing those 2000 pound implments around on caster is really going to be tough!

 

[Bird]

Chris, that's fine idea. Of course, quality casters, and even lumber, are not cheap, but it's cheaper than things like the Freedom Hitch as long as you're always on a hard surface when you change implements.

Bird

 

[Chris in IN]

I did neglect to say that a concrete floor is a must for moving the implements. As for the casters, I used 3" all steel that I bought from Tractor Supply for $8.00 each. They are rated at 300 lbs. each. The lumber I used was warped teated lumber that I got for 1/2 price from the lumber yard. I figured that using crooked lumber did not matter since weight of the implement would flatten the platform out & they did. If I had used regular retail lumber the total cost of the 4 platforms with all hardware would have been about $170.00. Chris