Height Indicator for 3PT (Quick) Hitch

[herringchoker]

I also have a tractor with no position control and I wrestled with the same problem as the OP. My solution is the "Poor Man's Position Control" as described in the first post of this thread:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...ch.html?highlight=poor+man's+position+control

It works very well.

 

[Xfaxman]

Yep, check chains are what the OP needs:

Pictures from an image search

 

[WranglerX]

Hmmm.... The DRO concept is pretty much along lines of what I had in mind.... Seems it would be simple to set implement at desired height, and "zero" indicator and it would tell me if to high or to low by plus/minus on read out when changing height....

Funny my brain was thinking along DRO line but never quiet "connected" the machine tool with the tractor.... May have winner here...

Dale

 

[WranglerX]

Yep, check chains are what the OP needs:
View attachment 552206 View attachment 552201

View attachment 552202 View attachment 552203


Pictures from an image search

Another concept I had not thought of... So simple too....

Dale

 

[mbu]

Use a tractor with position control on the three point hitch. Like this:

Google Image Result for https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ublsJIgGo_U/maxresdefault.jpg

Sheesh - a bolt with a clamp and John Deere is calling that a "Hitch Position Controller"! Pretty lame!

 

[TheMan419]

Chains are the easy solution. You can raise mower when needed and then lower away. Chains will prevent it from going too low. Also will prevent the “droop” even if using position control. Might have to bolt on or weld on a loop or hook or such in the right places.

 

[npalen]

Hmmm.... The DRO concept is pretty much along lines of what I had in mind.... Seems it would be simple to set implement at desired height, and "zero" indicator and it would tell me if to high or to low by plus/minus on read out when changing height....

Funny my brain was thinking along DRO line but never quiet "connected" the machine tool with the tractor.... May have winner here...

Dale

DRO's (DigitalReadOut), which showed machine tool axis positions, were the best thing since sliced bread for machinists when they started showing up back in the late 60's. The early ones used "nixie tube" readouts which I believe was a series of vacuum tubes with shaped wires inside to display one of the numerals zero to nine.
Prior to that it was mostly micrometer machine dials and rods and Bridgeport had the optical readout which required paper and pencil computations to establish positions.

Edit: 24" Digital Readout DRO Large LCD Readout Scale for Bridgeport Mill Lathe | eBay

Just an example of what cost thousands of dollars fifty years ago.

 

[WranglerX]

Sort of changed direction in though process.... Think "Check Chains" may be simplest solution after experimenting with 3PH and getting better understanding how it works....... Only thing now is what are brackets check chains lock into called and where to acquire them...





Also found a "kit".... But I have lots of chain and "stuff"... Just not the nice looking (keyhole) backets...

873-159335 MOWER DECK STABILIZER KIT - Quality Farm Supply


Dale

 

[Xfaxman]

I couldn't find any Keyhole or Banjo Eye brackets for sale either.

Found a complete kit on eBay: Mower Deck Stabilizer Kit | eBay

Also found a diagram showing how it hooks up:

 

[WranglerX]

Pretty much what I found also... Got to laugh at one seller (on e-bay) $28 for kit with $33 for shipping?????? ... Also found kit for $30 and $12 for shipping like you found...

Rotary Cutter Mower Deck Stabilizer Kit. Bush Hog, Land Pride, Servis-Rhino, + | eBay

Would seem someplace just the brackets are available, would have thought it would be a common chain accessory....... All the kit sellers use same picture, probably one kit design from China....

Dale