Clarification on 3pt linkage adjustment ??

[Farm Fun]

For the 3pt on my L3902, I've read the manual, on-line comments, & watched videos but need some clarification.

Top link hole:
Won't be doing any tillage so 3rd/bottom hole isn't needed. Might add a mower some day but not for a while. Primary attachment will be a weight bracket/ballast on the quick hitch to offset the loader. Planned bracket is a Heavy Hitch model with a receiver hitch. Is there much difference between the top & middle holes? Read one comment the middle hole is a stronger point than the top hole.

Lifting rods & Lower link:
Manual notes lifting rods may be attached to the A hole on the lower link for greater lifting force. Is there much or any real advantage to using the A hole instead of the B hole?

 

[McMXi]

Manual notes lifting rods may be attached to the A hole on the lower link for greater lifting force. Is there much or any real advantage to using the A hole instead of the B hole?

It's a range of motion vs. lifting force decision. You will most likely experience range of motion issues when picking up implements long before you approach a maximum load issue. Set up your linkage for sufficient range of motion to pick up your ballast box. Also, you should have a reference chart in your operator's manual which suggests which hole to use for the top link depending on application.

 

[Caden]

It's not too hard to change your lifting point on the arms so I see that as a job-by-job basis.

For normal operation go with more range of motion.
For pulling fence posts out of the ground or moving bales etc, go with more leverage.
Basically just use your best judgment based on the work at hand.

As for top link, I use the middle because it seems stronger. I have one attachment that the geometry is a little different on. So for that I use the top hole. Other wise it starts to tilt when raising because the top link is not parallel to the lift arms.