Using 3-PT hitch trailer

Rolando · Jan 29, 2007

Is anyone pulling 3-PT hitch implements with your Toolcat? I need to level about five acres of dirt that's pretty rough from disking and plowing. I want it smooth to mow when I have grass growing there. It's going to be a pecan grove, but the trees are 60 feet apart.

I want to pull a 10 foot wide (L-10) Countryside Manufacturing Flexible Tine Harrow with the LL-10 3-pt hitch Lift. The harrow mat is 10 feet wide and 7.5 feet long, the 3-PT Lift picks it up at the front and about 6 feet back.

I came across the Agri-fab 3-PT Hitch Trailer and I'm wondering if it can handle this implement. The trailer uses a winch and cable connected to the Top Link to raise and lower the implement.

I would use a Draw-Tite Clevis Mount in the receiver hitch to pull the 3-PT hitch trailer. What do you all think about this set-up?

dsb5610 · Jan 30, 2007

Rolando,

I haven't pulled 3pt attachments but I do pull a drag. Mine is made up of four 4' sections and has adjustable tines. Similar concept but mine is all rigid, heavier and I have to disassemble it to transport. I pull it behind a 14' disc with an Ag tractor. When I broadcast seed I pull the drag by itself, sometimes with the Toolcat, to cover the seed. I also pull the drag with the Toolcat in the pastures to breakup/spread the cow pies.

Unless your soil is really workable I wouldn't expect this attachment to produce a smooth seed bed from what you describe. In combination with a disc it can produce a decent finish. A lot depends on your soil. I converted several acres of CRP ground to lawn with the disc, drag and a roller and got good results but required many passes.

The 3pt lift doesn't appear to be very sturdy. If it were me I think I would spend that money on a 3pt attachment for the front and use that for transporting the harrow then use chains with a clevis to pull the harrow around.

dsb

Rolando · Jan 30, 2007

dsb5610, I've already disked and plowed the whole area. The soils are kind of a loamy sand, I'm not sure. Are you saying I need running the drag as the soil is being disked?

I'm planning to get the 3-PT hitch adapter for the FEL anyway, because I want to use a landscape rake with it, and you can buy this harrow with just a bar and chains to pull it, but I'm concerned that without the 3-pt lift I can't pick it up to maneuver, like backing up into corners or taking tight turns.

I have the similar concerns about whether the trailer is sturdy enough. I'm trying to get more information about it.

dsb5610 · Jan 30, 2007

You mentioned the area was pretty rough after plowing/discing. I don't think the harrow by itself will correct that but I could be wrong. We've always pulled something behind a disc to help break up clods. Assuming the ground conditions are good, additional passes will create a good seed bed.

I see Ocala Tractor and Equipment carries Wingfield harrows. Might be worth talking to them about options and possibly get to see one.

That 3pt lift is pretty short. Might be a trick trying to backup with one but it would definitely make transporting easier.

dsb

theoshin · Jan 31, 2007

a bit off the subject, but how do you thing the tiller would do for preparing prior to dragging for seeding? they are avail for rental by the day/week here.

dsb5610 · Jan 31, 2007

I thought about a tiller or a power rake too. Never used a power rake but a tiller would take a while to do 5 acres. Would make a nice seed bed though.

dsb

Rolando · Jan 31, 2007

Wouldn't a tiller leave the soil pretty loose? Part of the problem I have now is that the soil got so fluffed up from the disking and plowing, that anything that drove in there left deep tracks. It's compacted some now from the rains, but I wouldn't want to fluff it up again.