Top link off center?

[Jims1025R]

I'm modifying my front mount snowblower to be three point hitch rear mount (so adding three point hitch fittings to the blower box). The lower two are easy do, but the single top link is going to interfere with the chute if I center it. But, if I go off center somewhat, it'll clear the chute fine. Has anyone any experience with the top link being off to one side? I'm thinking that as long as it is at least somewhat inside/between the two lower links, it should provide the necessary geometry?

Thoughts?

Jim

 

[mcfarmall]

My thought is if the location of the top link didn't matter, then there wouldn't be a need for an ASAE standard for 3PH geometry. I think I would find a way to keep it centered, even if it means re-engineering the lower links.

 

[Grandad4]

I think if the top link is off-center, the attachment will not keep the same lateral adjustment as it is raised and lowered. So the snow blower will tip slightly from side to side at different heights. Maybe not a huge problem for a snowblower (I dunno ???). You probably could adjust it to be level at ground level and call it good. I would be tempted to give it a try before putting time and money into some metalwork.

 

[IndyJay]

I'm modifying my front mount snowblower to be three point hitch rear mount (so adding three point hitch fittings to the blower box). The lower two are easy do, but the single top link is going to interfere with the chute if I center it. But, if I go off center somewhat, it'll clear the chute fine. Has anyone any experience with the top link being off to one side? I'm thinking that as long as it is at least somewhat inside/between the two lower links, it should provide the necessary geometry?

Thoughts?

Jim

Pictures?

 

[Halftrack]

You might consider a loop of chain back to a single piece to the top link. Assuming your blower has or will have shoes to ride on, allowing the top link to compress, lets the blower ride over the uneven spots. You will have to be a little more observant of the height of the lower links, as too low would tip the blower back. Good Luck.

 

[TractorGuy]

Aren't you going to a lower input speed? Just asking. Does your tractor have a two speed rear PTO?

 

[npalen]

I don't think the offset top link would matter provided it isn't so excessive as to cause the ball joints to "bottom out" because off the pins angle. Also would want to carefully check that the toplink isn't hitting the sides of the mount on the tractor. Would probably need to have the lower links restrained laterally enough to keep the attachment reasonably centered.
It depends a lot on how much offset you're talking.

 

[Leejohn]

Better check and make sure the pto turns right for the blower.

 

[Jims1025R]

Yup, I checked, everything turns the correct direction. It is evident that what had been a front mount blower on my JD650, was a converted rear mount blower from something else JD had build previously. It had a special gearbox to reduce from front PTO speed to blower speed without changing direction (idler gear, not evident until you take it apart). So, instead of gearing down from engine speed (roughly 2.5:1), I'm going to sprocket and chain up from rear PTO speed to blower speed (roughly 1:2). The desired blower (fan) speed is 1000 RPM.

That's the easy part. The lower three point links are also easy, as I've already made a cross beam for two 360 degree swiveling castors to replace the skid shoes (they dug in). The lower three point links go perfectly to that beam. The top link should be a little off center, so as to be beside the chute, rather than a complex and spindly structure to try to hold a centered top link half way along and behind a still off center chute.

I will put up photos when I have it all figured out. As I didn't even mount the blower last winter, for lack of snow, I'm not interested in buying a whole new three point mount blower, when I have an otherwise unused front mount blower just sitting here waiting for some creativity to make it rear mount!

 

[Leejohn]

Can you just tilt the top mount link fwd just so it well clear?