[AT] 3 point hitch backhoe attachments?

[Mike Sloane]

carl gogol wrote:

> Mike-
> The warnings messages on the Arps hoe said something to the effect of 
> --- if you mount to a three point hitch get a factory approved load 
> equalizer kit that stabilizes the 3 point.
One of the used hoes we sold was an Arps, and, quite frankly, it did not 
appear to be a rugged enough implement to damage the tractor before it 
damaged itself. I do not think Arps is still in business (or at least we 
were never able to find them, making parts replacement difficult), and 
that may be part of the reason why. And yes, the used ones we had came 
with rigid top link bars. If there was anything for equalizing the lower 
part of the arrangement, it was not present when we got the units in. I 
suspect that a beefed up version of the standard three point lower link 
stabilizer arms would be helpful, but the standard arms are not rigid 
enough for that kind of force.

On the Woods top link supports, the attachment varies by tractor model, 
based on where the strongest attachment point could be found. On the 
Ford 4500, for instance, it consisted of two heavy steel pieces that fit 
around the upper third of the ring where the axles bolted to the final 
drive housing on both sides.

Mike

   I looked at some hoes for
> sale on eBay and a few  manufacturer's web sites and they seemed to have 
> a fixed length heavy duty bar that replaced the top link.   This bar may 
> have been an arm that did not pivot on the hoe.  Is this what was meant 
> by an approved stabilizer? Frankly I would not trust the top link mount 
> on my D-14 as it is just attached to the bolts that mount the seat (5/8" 
> I think) and a couple of 3/8" or so shared with the PTO shield.  I would 
> probably build so type of frame that mounted to some of these same 
> points, but also try to get some of the forces forward to where the snap 
> coupler bell is or even to take off the draft sensing spring and use 
> those attachment points.  I don't know if attaching to the engine side 
> mounts would be necessary;  or even the loader frame.
> Carl Gogol
> Manlius, NY
> (2) AC D-14, AC 914H
> Simplicity 3112 & 7116
> Kubota F-2400
> .


-- 
Mike Sloane
Allamuchy NJ
Email: (mikesloane at verizon.net)
Website: <http://www.geocities.com/mikesloane>
Tractor images: <www.fotki.com/mikesloane>
Work: none - retired