3-Point Hitch Is there a way to prevent Float on a three point hitch?

rfc143 · Apr 14, 2017

I have a Kubota 5240 with a Land Pride Rake. I'm trying to rake some of the hardback that got plowed this winter into the ditches on either side of my 1/4 mile drive. Relative Newbie.

I've got two problems:
1. I've angled the rake fairly steeply, but when I lower the 3Pt, the slop in the system causes the rake to lose a lot of its tilt. Is the solution to this just to keep angling it down more so that even after it settles, it's still tilted enough?
2. When I hit a large bump of material, or a rock (ditches are filled with rip-rap), the float allows it to bump over the bump or rock. Is there a way to lock the float temporarily so I can apply more down pressure in the ditch?

Ideas welcome. Thanks in advance.

oosik · Apr 14, 2017

Most all 3-point ground contact implements will have a certain amount of slop. Be careful on how much angle you put on the rake. You do want it to be able to "hop" over large obstacles and not damage the rake or your 3-point.

However - most all potential damage is prevented by your 3-point NOT having a "lock down" position or down pressure. There are some tractors that can have down pressure added as a special function.

Generally, a ground contact implement works by the way the 3-point is set and the weight of the implement. I've read where folks will add the down pressure special function when using a PTO driven auger - but not much else.

Industrial Toys · Apr 14, 2017

Virtually no tractors I know of have down pressure on the 3ph. Bellarus is the only one I ever knew about that had down pressure.

Dadnatron · Apr 14, 2017

Only thing to do is add weight to the implement.

rustydollar · Apr 14, 2017

My Satoh S650G has lock / till / plow positions for the hydraulics on the 3 pt hitch.

kneedeep · Apr 15, 2017

The "Float" you are referring to will prevent damage to the 3Pt lift when using ground engaging implements.
Weight will help keep it down, but a box blade may work better for your application.
JM:2cents:W

boggen · Apr 15, 2017

pictures of what you are trying to do. would help us better give you better details.
example: tractor, with rake on it, and ditch/bumps you are talking about.

it sounds like you are trying to really use the rake to "dig in" vs using it more like long handle plastic grass rake to deal with clippings from last mowing your lawn.

both with comment of "large rock" that can be any size rock to me, picture worth a 1,000 words here.

Tractor Attachments And Skid Steer Attachments For Any Tractor Or Skid Steer = look at some videos they have for rakes, both in setting it up and using it, it might help you some.

Sysop · Apr 15, 2017

Some old timers occasionally would chain stuff down also.

rfc143 · Apr 16, 2017

Sorry, no photos available, but I took the advice of many here, and just let gravity do its job. When I turned over the occasional piece of 7" minus, I stopped, pried it out of the road bed and threw it further into the ditch. Eventually I got them all.
By keeping the rake perpendicular to the arm, but then swinging the arm full to the right (or left), and putting 3" or more of tilt on the rake using the adjustable arm on the 3 PT hitch, I was able to dig as much hard pack out of the ditch as the weight of the rake would allow, and move it towards the center of the drive. Took hours, but thanks to the good folks here, I learned a lot. Thanks.