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Good idea, bad idea? I have an NT254(Jinma 254). Swaying of implements on the 3PH is restricted of course by 2 chains and turnbuckles, one on each side of the lift arms, running from frame mount points to the sides of the lift arms. The frame mounting points are not perfectly in line with the tractor end of the lift arms, so the sway chains are considerably tighter when the 3PH is down than they are when the 3PH is raised. I imagine this is normal, but I don't like the slop when the hitch is raised.
On another subject however, I have modified all of my implements to use my quick hitch. I even went as far as buying shorter lift arms to bring the quick hitch in closer to the tractor, because using the quick hitch forced all the implement drivelines to extend an additional 4.5″ further than the implement manufacturers planned on and I didn't particularly like that either!
So the quick hitch is pretty much permanent. This presents an idea, though. What are the pros and cons of eliminating one of the sway chains and replacing the other one with something rigid like a bar, or I was actually thinking of a manually adjustable top link, running from one frame mounting point to the pin on the quick hitch where the lift arms connect to the quick hitch? Now there should be no more sway! Since the frame mount points are not perfectly aligned with the lift arms, the implement will shift a little to the right when raised and shift back to center when lowered but the shift will be minimal and there should theoretically be no sway. Am I missing something? Has anyone ever tried something like this?
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The anchor points of the X'd sway chains have to be the same as the anchor points for the lift arms. You need to have a parallelogram when raising and lowering, then you don't really need the turnbuckles. You should however, have an adjustable top link in order to maintain the desired geometry or perpendicularity of the quick hitch. I did this on my dozer TPH which is the same as on the wheelies. Several other members have done this as well.
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Bob, thanks. I have seen posts describing X'd sway chains, but if I understand correctly that is not what I have. I considered such a setup because, as you implied, if the anchor points of the sway chains were the same points as the anchor points of the lift arms I wouldn't have the issues with the misalignment that I have. To do X'd chains though I would have to remove a big bracket that holds a tow bar and 2 heavy hooks. I would also have to remove a guard that protects the operator from flying driveline parts. My NT254 came from Northern tool with sway chains outside of the lift arms. Give me a few minutes, I'm gonna' try to get pictures…………
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Please excuse the quality, my wife took my camera, had to use a cell phone. Bottom pictue is the quick hitch and 3PH with hydraulic top and side links. I guess it's hard to see the PTO shaft guard and the towbar hitch, but they're down there somewhere! The top picture is the right side sway chain. It runs from a bracket underneath the rigth axle, that is used to mount the ROPS and fender, to halfway back the lift arm. It is ALMOST inline with the lift arm anchor points but it is actually a bit higher. I was considering modifying those mounting points to be perfectly in line, till I thought of a single rigid sway bar instead of 2 sway chains.
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My experience with machinery indicates that if a system is rigid it will eventually break something, because there is no place to relieve transient stresses. My sway chains are the same setup as yours, in that they'’re not exactly on the same plane as the pivot for the lift arms, but the slop is tolerable to me. I’'d be hesitant to change to a rigid system.
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I had a 69 ford 3400 it had bars instead of chains it was semi rigid I guess you could call it.It still could move side to side some.Find someone who has a old ford and take a look.The bars were on pined in front near the fender bolts on the axle, the back went to the same pins as the lift arms.
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