How do you attach a 3-point hitch implement to your tractor? It might seem straightforward at first glance, but you need a little knowledge and experience to do the job quickly and easily.
If you’re struggling with getting a 3-point implement attached to your tractor, here are step-by-step instructions to guide you through the process:
#1 Back Your Tractor Up to the 3-Point Hitch
Slowly back your tractor toward the 3-point hitch you want to attach. Don’t approach at an angle; get lined up straight so that the two hydraulic-powered lift arms of your 3-point hitch are positioned roughly in line with the attachment points (likely protruding pins) on the implement.
#2 Adjust the Height of the Lift Arms
The lift arms may not be at the correct height for the implement you’re attaching. Using the hydraulic controls, raise or lower the lift arms as necessary to get them roughly aligned with the implement. You’ll notice the height of one lift arm (usually the one on the right) can be adjusted independently of the other, perhaps with a hand crank. If your implement isn’t sitting perfectly flat (maybe the ground is sloped a bit), you can raise or lower the adjustable arm to match the slant and ensure you can attach both arms to the implement.
Note that some 3-point hitches have telescoping lift arms that can extend and give you even more flexibility for achieving proper alignment with the implement. If you extend one or both lift arms, you’ll have to return them to their proper length once finished. Try backing up the tractor slowly and gently until they snap back into normal length.
#3 Attach the Non-Adjustable Lift Arm
The connectors that the hydraulic lift arms raise and lower—the connectors that actually attach to the three-point implement—are called draft links. Each one has a hole in the end that can be attached via pin to an appropriate place on three-point implements. Exactly where the draft links are attached will depend on the implement.
Attach the draft link on the non-adjustable lift arm to the implement. Secure it in place as required, likely with a lynchpin. If you have trouble getting the draft link to line up with the implement, you may need to adjust or loosen the stabilizer arms that limit the draft links from swinging side to side. The stabilizer arms might be telescoping ones that lock into a particular length with pins, or they might be adjustable with turnbuckles.
You may also be able to slightly tweak the position of the implement itself by pushing and shoving. Use a crowbar or digging bar to gain leverage if needed, but be careful not to hurt yourself (or you machines). Implements can be heavy!
#4 Attach the Adjustable Lift Arm
Move to the opposite side of your tractor and attach the draft link on the adjustable lift arm to the appropriate point on your implement, adjusting the height of the lift arm and the position of the stabilizer arm as needed. Secure the draft link in place with a lynchpin. Once the draft link is attached, you can return the adjustable lift arm to its normal height (if you changed it) to level the implement. Or, if you want one side of the implement to be higher or lower than the other, you can adjust the lift arm accordingly. As an example, slanting a rear blade or box blade in this manner can help create a crown for drainage when grading a driveway.
#5 Attach the top link
At this point, the job gets easier. The top link of the 3-point hitch is adjustable in length, so you can shorten or lengthen it as needed until you can attach it via pin to the top connection point on the implement. Add a lynchpin to lock it in place.
Once the top link is attached, you can further adjust the length to change the front-to-back pitch of the implement, if needed. Once you’re happy with the position, there may be a lock nut you can tighten to firmly secure the length of the top link at your chosen point.
#6 Return Stabilizer Arms to Proper Tension
If you adjusted the stabilizer arms for the draft links, you’ll want to tighten them back to a suitable tension to prevent your implement from swinging side to side.
Congratulations! You’ve successfully attached a three-point implement to your tractor.
This article about how to attach a 3-point hitch to a tractor was written for Hobby Farms magazine. Click here to subscribe.
