3 Point Hitch Plowing Techniques

The 3-point hitch is the most common attachment method for tractors.

The first tractor with a 3-point hitch, the Ferguson-Brown model A, wasn't an overnight hit. In fact, the technology could have been lost if Henry Ford and 3-point hitch inventor Harry Ferguson hadn't made a deal in 1938, creating a widely sold tractor model with the innovative hitch system.

Attachment

The 3-point hitch system uses three attachment points to secure the plow to the tractor. Place the plow in a stable location and back the tractor up to the implement. Use the hydraulics to align to the bottom two hitch points with the implement as close as possible.

Control

The hydraulic controls on a 3-point hitch are useful for plowing. Using the draft control feature is particularly beneficial. This automatically adjusts the drag and strain on the tractor, providing consistent pull and depth as the driver moves across the field.

Safety

Pins should always be used to attach the plow to the 3-point hitch. Turn the tractor and plow only when the 3-point hitch is lifted away from the ground to avoid damage to the hitch.

References

• Tractor Data: Three-Point Hitch
• Tractor Smart: Tractor Three Point Lift Types
• Hazardous Occupations Safety Training in Agriculture: Using 3-Point Hitch Implements