[Oo-v-oO]

...that the Sears 3-point hitch could be hazardous to your health?

I went to my neighbor's to borrow his York rake with the Hydro-Trac. Rather than hooking it to the hitch plate, I used the drawbar on the 3-point. As I was hooking it up, the hitch dropped from the lifted position to the lowered with the full weight of the rake on it, causing the handle to swing backwards at a high rate of speed - until it hit me right on the noggin, anyway.

I think I slowed it down significantly.

Do these things usually lock in in the raised position? I think it was the jostling I was doing, trying to get the tongue of the rake to line up with the hole in the drawbar so I could drop the hitch pin through that did it. I would guess that driving over rough ground could do the same thing, though.

My head hurts...

 

[Silvercreek Farmer]

Hope you are okay! I had mine let loose when I was running around with my gannon in high 3rd! Talk about a brake! I've notice one of mine is looser than the other. Your side links may need a little more bend to lock in better.

 

[Oo-v-oO]

That would be easy enough to do. Hard to hold onto the hitch handle and adjust the speed at the same time with them both being on the right side. Of course, I don't have a Hydro-Track-specific 3-point, with the handle on the left. They are probably a pretty rare item.

Nice lump on my head in the shape of the handle.

 

[dmorrill22]

These hitches lock very well, provided they have weight on them. The weight keeps the lift links pulling against the lift handle, and the tension prevents the hitch from lowering (if that all makes sense).

 

[Hugh-SS/16]

they dont really "lock", at least the white ones dont, they just stay up. the black hitches with the long handle have a pin that locks them in the up position.

 

[GT_80]

Depending on what attachment I use, sometimes I have to move the sidelinks to the lower or upper holes on the lift handle. I had one 3 point that used to drop a lot till I figured that out sucks taking cotter pins in and out though...

 

[cranky1]

glad your ok!! I learned that the hard way as well.Not as hard as you, didn't hit my head , I was in the seat and on rough ground using the fel ,scared the crap out of me. Think it would have torn my arm off. I pin that thing now when using the 200lb counterweight on it

 

[SandDawg]

Ooouch! Glad you have a hard head!

If you do not have the 3pt hitch with a pin lock, I suggest making a rope lanyard that's tied to the tractor's chassis. The looped end can be slid over the hitch handle as a safety measure to keep it from dropping while hooking up implements. :fing32:

Be safe out there! :trink39:

 

[GT_80]

BTW how's you head? Hope it didn't do too much damage!

 

[Oo-v-oO]

I like the idea of some sort of a lock, be it a pin or a lanyard.

Seems like this would be a good place to fab in a hydraulic cylinder. If I don't need down pressure, I do have a 12V power pack and valve that works with a single-acting cylinder available. Either that, or an old Fisher plow pump.

Hmmm.... These did have an electric actuator as an option or at least the newer ones did, correct? Not a fan of those in general but a hydraulic cylinder would probably be pretty simple to substitute.

Still have a sore spot and a bit of a lump left on top of my head. Not too bad.

 

[GT_80]

The newer style 76 and up 3 point hitches have a "transport lock" which is simply a pin that goes thru the lift handle and the 3 point hitch plate- you could add one by welding a couple pieces of flat stock on... I will try to get a picture of mine-

 

[searstractorfan]

they made a stop for the older hitches, i think it still fit the newer one that stopped it from lowering to far, but i bet it woulda got u before it stopped...hehe and that has happened to me too! Thats why I use my electric hitches now! NO MORE STUPID HANDLE!!!!!

 

[Dane in PA]

I used to use a bungee chord wrapped around the tractor and hooked onto the seat spring, and under the tractor and up to the handle. Could something like this be made?

 

[Oo-v-oO]

I noticed that the handle hits the right tire when it is all the way down, too. Is this normal? I was thinking there should be some sort of a stop.

 

[Hugh-SS/16]

yes, when there is no attachment in the 3pt, and you let it fall all the way down, the handle rubs the tire. there is no stop because when there is an attachment in it, the attachment prevents the 3pt from falling that far

 

[GT_80]

yes, when there is no attachment in the 3pt, and you let it fall all the way down, the handle rubs the tire. there is no stop because when there is an attachment in it, the attachment prevents the 3pt from falling that far

Even when plowing with a moldboard or rear grader that will still happen-

 

[Oo-v-oO]

Probably not so cool if you're running chains.

 

[orange j d]

I am sure some where on there, there is a sticker that says keep away from children. See you learn from the school of hard nooks.:sidelaugh

 

[Oo-v-oO]

Nah, this was made back when people were expected to take responsibility for their actions and use some basic common sense. No stickers needed!