3-pt chains?

[bparent]

Newbie Question. What is the purpose for the chains that criss cross on the 3pt hitch? I have installed an A-frame hitch adapter and now my chains are not long enough. Do I need them? Thanks.

Brian

[TUDOR]

The chains are to keep the hitch from swaying left and right and usually have turnbuckles to slacken them off or tighten them up.

You really don't want to use a backblade, or any other implement, without them if you're close to a car or house or anything else that can be damaged by the implement swaying from side to side.

[bparent]

Copy that. I will get some longer chains. What about the two threaded rods that attach the rock shaft to the lift arms. Do you adjust these to gain lift height or how low the implement will go down? Thanks.

Brian

[TUDOR]

The top link adjusts the angle of the implement to the ground, eg. shorten the top link to make a back blade stand up straighter for scraping, or lenthen it for digging. Trial and error to find what works for you.

The threaded rods on the lift links allow you to level or tilt the implement based on what is required to do the job. Lenghten one and shorten the other and you can do ditching with a backblade. Another reason for the anti-sway chains.

The range of lift and lower can also be moved higher or lower with the levelling screws but there should be lots of lifting range on your 3PH so this isn't normally a problem. If you adjust to raise the implement higher for transport, you lose on the depth it will go down.

What make and model of tractor?

[bparent]

I see. Thanks again for the info. The tractor is a Yardman 998 series. I dont have any ground engaging implements for the 3pt. just the hitch reveiver adapter so I can jocky my trailer around the yard. I basicly bought it to be used as a spare mower just in case something happens to my Gravely. Plus now I have a fun toy to tinker with. It came with a 50in deck and a 54in snow blade. Here are some pics. Thanks again for the info.

Brian

[TUDOR]

Looks like it's in real nice shape! Should'nt have any trouble pushing snowflakes with that!

[ColonyPark]

I don't think I have ever seen a Yardman that beefy, nice find and thanks for the pics.

[Yardman]

Originally Posted by bparent

I see. Thanks again for the info. The tractor is a Yardman 998 series. I dont have any ground engaging implements for the 3pt. just the hitch reveiver adapter so I can jocky my trailer around the yard. I basicly bought it to be used as a spare mower just in case something happens to my Gravely. Plus now I have a fun toy to tinker with. It came with a 50in deck and a 54in snow blade. Here are some pics. Thanks again for the info.

Brian

Hi Brian, That's a purty tractor you got there. It looks a lot like my 1996 MTD 999 tractor. Mine also has a 50" deck. 22 HP Kohler engine. I mow with my ZTR and have removed the mower so I can do "tractor things" with it. I bought a JD dozer blade on eBay and tried adapting it for my MTD. The cable in the picture lifts it fine, but I find that it doesn't "hold" the blade at any apticular angle. It's still a work in progress. I had a bracket fab'd for the snowblower to mount the drivesaft unit.