Model B 3pt lift capability

I've got a 1940 Model B with single ram 3 pt hitch.

I have a woods 4ft brush hog that wieghs apprx 450lbs. My B will lift the rear wheel of the brush hog 6-8" off the ground. Should the tractor be able to lift this impliment 14-16" off the ground, or am I expecting too much from the hydraulics????

I realize that 3pt on this tractor are after market, and this might be a shot in the dark. But does anyone know what the psi lift this tractor has on the 3pt?????? And/or what is the maximum lift capability that the 3pt can do??

Thanks for any and all input,

Blessings,
TRHOD12

We had a little B with an aftermarket 3-pt. conversion on it as well. Used it to lift a 5-ft back blade that was in the 175-200 lb. weight range. I would not have asked much more than that of the little B. It might have been able to lift the load you"re trying to lift (I don"t think ours would lift 450 lbs), but I would have not been comfortable moving at all if I did due to the implement rocking as you moved. Multiplies the weight and would have been just too hard to the brackets and braces that mounted the 3-pt. That"s my own thought on it, but I tend to be a little cautious when it comes to potentially breaking things.

You say single ram/cylinder. The big thing there is the size of the cylinder. If it is the little one that came on the B from the factory yep that is about all the lift it will ever have. Now if say you have a bigger one like one made for a WD you will have a good bit more lift. So the bigger the cylinder the more lift you will have but you do trade more lift for slower lift

Check to see if the ram is fully extended. If it is than that's about all the lift you get. Some gain could be made by shortening the top link. If the ram is not fully extended then I'd first check the level of the hydraulic fluid.

The hydralic cyclinder, if working properly, is not the limitation. If your linkage is set up properly, the front end of the tractor will come off the ground before the hydralic cylinder is overloaded.

I'm gonna try and answer some of the questions thrown out to me, to the best of my ability. The whole tractor thing is fairly new to me, and I am learning as I go.

The ram on my B is about 1" in diameter, I would say that this is probably the smaller ram, and probably the original from the factory. Does that sound about right old???

The ram is not fully extended when it has the rear wheel of the brush hog off the ground. I know that because when I have nothing on the 3pt and run it up, it will lift the seat off the bracket and pretty much mash the seat to the steering wheel. Does this mean I need to try and do some work on the hydraulics???? I don't notice any leaks from the ram or cylinder. If I understand everything correctly, the hydraulic pump is run off the fluid that is in the rear differential of the tractor. I check the fluid (remove the plug on the front of the diff, on the left side of the tractor, under the seat). The fluid is right to the top of the hole. One thing I am not sure about is when the fluid was last changed. I have been wanting to do that, but am still somewhat unsure exactly what fluid to use or the proper procedure for changing the fluid out. I am concerned I will leave air bubbles in the pump, then the hydraulics won't work at all.

I have never had anything too heavy when engaging the 3pt, so I don't know if it will lift the front wheels off the ground. The heaviest thing I have had on the tractor is the brush hog mentioned. I do have 150lbs of counterwieght on the front wishbone which keeps the front down pretty well. Should I take off the counterwieghts, put something heavy on the back and try to lift the front off the ground???? Will that help me figure out if the hydraulics are ok????

I guess I should get to the basis for the question. I am looking to get a small no-till drill for the B. It weighs about 600-700lbs. I'm wondering if that is more wieght than the B can lift???

THanks for all your help.


BLessings,

I would certainly try a fluid change first. There are three plugs under transmission and rearend that must be drained. Replace with 7 quarts of Universal Hydraulic/Transmission fluid (available at farm stores, WalMart, most auto stores). Don't worry about air in the lines- that will work itself out. The whole reservoir is filled through the one opening where you checked the level. If the fluid change doesn't help I would remove the pump, cleaning everything as much as I could and look for anything obviously broken. Then reassemble.

The hydraulics should not be mashing the seat. Either it's installed wrong, poorly engineered, or too long a cylinder was substituted. I have a Cross Mfg. hitch conversion and it just nudges the seat at maximum lift. With it I can lift a 650 lb disc. To determine if you could lift the seed drill try adding 200 lbs of weight to your mower and see how it handles. I'd come over and stand on it if you are nearby!

i have a 3 point on my C. if you give me your email adress i can send you a few pictures. i'd have to look and see, but the cylinder that came with the hitch is not a stock allis cylinder. i have the clevis threaded all the way in, other wise with the hitch at full lift it would hit the seat, but now it gives me around 1/4 inch of clearance. jk

Clay--LOL come on down, I could use the extra wieght.

jk--email address [email protected]

The ram that is on my 3pt has 2 holes in it that a bolt goes to connect the ram to the lift mechanism. When I first got the tractor, it was in the farthest hole and didn't seem to hit the seat. In an attempt to lift the brush hog higher off the ground I moved the bolt to the closest hole. Maybe I should have it back on the in the further hole. I'm not sure if this makes sense or not.

I will try and get some pictures posted, but I need to get the tractor home from the farm first.

Thanks for your help.

Blessings,

Just wanted to dredge this thread up again with a couple questions.

I got the tractor back from the farm, but haven't taken a picture of the ram yet.

I had my 3pt broadcast spreader on to spread grass seed. I had parked the tractor on a slight decline to the right, and lowered the spreader. When I went to lift the spreader again, the lift wouldn't move. Once, I moved it back up to level ground, it lifted right up. Why would it do this??? The fluid appears to me to be right at the "full" line on the transmission case. This fill line seems to be slightly below the bottom of the fill hole. Should the fluid be filled right to the bottome of the fill plug hole??
I have not changed the fluid yet. I am trying to find someone near me who can help me determine if I need to do hydraulic work on the lift before I waiste the $$ putting the new fluid in. Finding people who know A/C locally, is a tough proposition. Everyone seems to know about John deere or IH/farmall.

Another question about the air cleaner. I read that I should "inspect and clean daily" in the manual. I can get the oil collection bowl off the bottom, and took the cleaner off the tractor. Is there some way to get to the inside of the filter to clean it out???? Or what is the proper procedure for "cleaning and maintaining."

Thanks again for you help.