Sleeve Hitch Lift Range

[Handy Don 17,543]

We are looking to convert an aerator to be on a sleeve hitch (similar to a soil plow) and have it switchable between our 520-H and 854 (they are in different locations but we’ll share the aerator). Our goal is to enable easier lifting the drills over hardscape sections and when making turns. We also want to be able to back into tight areas, unreachable with the towed aerator, lower the aerator, and drive out.

 

On the 854 (armstrong) using a slot hitch with a WH slot-to-sleeve adaptor we have a range from 9.5 to 16 inches (measured from the top of the sleeve to the ground, about 10” from the transaxle pivot).

On the 1995 520-H, the range is only from 9 to 12 inches (also about 10” from the transaxle pivot). This with the chain to the sleeve arm in the lowest notch in the rear rock shaft and having the hitch parallel to the ground at its lowest point. The cable at the 520’s mid-rock shaft is attached at the prescribed hole in the down-pointed arm. When using the mower or front blade, the lift range is as expected. 

 

Am I missing something? Is this relatively short lift range normal? If not, what range should I be expecting?

 

This image was while checking alignment and clearances with the 854, slot hitch, and adaptor. Both the tractor and aerator are on 3.5” blocks to accommodate the drill plugs being in their “in the ground” position. Hitch is at its lowest position. 

 

 

Here are the 520 measurements.

  

[ri702bill 13,160]

Cable lift - right?

Placement of the cable in the lift bellcrank hole location dictates either a short, easy lift or a longer, more difficult lift...

[Handy Don 17,543]

46 minutes ago, ri702bill said:

Cable lift - right?

Placement of the cable in the lift bellcrank hole location dictates either a short, easy lift or a longer, more difficult lift...

There is only one hole in the 520’s mid-tractor rock shaft for attaching the rear cable clevis and it is the furthest from the shaft’s axis. 

The rear end of the cable only attaches (in stock form in my experience) to the lowest end of the rock shaft arm. 

I’m wondering if some sleeve hitches had multiple chain attachment points on their lever arm. 

[ri702bill 13,160]

28 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

There is only one hole in the 520’s mid-tractor rock shaft for attaching the rear cable clevis and it is the furthest from the shaft’s axis. 

The rear end of the cable only attaches (in stock form in my experience) to the lowest end of the rock shaft arm. 

I’m wondering if some sleeve hitches had multiple chain attachment points on their lever arm. 

???

[squonk 48,206]

2 hours ago, Handy Don said:

 

I’m wondering if some sleeve hitches had multiple chain attachment points on their lever arm. 

Some of the rear rock shafts had multiple slots for the chain. Are you using a rear shaft on the 520? 

 

[Goldnboy 1,154]

I am having a similar situation and my rear rockshaft doesn't have the multiple slots on my C161 

Edited 22 hours ago by Goldnboy

[Handy Don 17,543]

1 hour ago, squonk said:

Are you using a rear shaft on the 520?

Yep, that very one. Cable thread-adjusted clevis attached through the hole at the end of the arm. Chain in adjacent slot. 

Our hitch has only one hole in the arm of #12 and we used the long clevis to attach the cable to the tractor lift arm because its a hydro transaxle (its curved cable routing dictates the extra length).

 

 

[ri702bill 13,160]

8 hours ago, Handy Don said:

Our hitch has only one hole in the arm of #12

Lengthen the vertical arm on item #12 and adjust the chain accordingly??

 

[squonk 48,206]

Maybe if you had went with the slot hitch style you could have fabbed up an adapter to get more height. 

 

[Handy Don 17,543]

3 hours ago, squonk said:

Maybe if you had went with the slot hitch style you could have fabbed up an adapter to get more height. 

I think you are onto something here! Just have to get a slot hitch for the other tractor and then I can make the connector slot-specific!

The other path is to try making a lower hole on the arm of the sleeve hitch to see if that gives us enough range. 

[Lee1977 7,799]

I have two clevis hitches both have two holes, they are around one inch apart. Don't know how much more lift that will give.

[sqrlgtr 4,074]

3 hours ago, Lee1977 said:

I have two clevis hitches both have two holes, they are around one inch apart. Don't know how much more lift that will give.

 

When transporting turning plow I will move to bottom hole in hitch and have entertained putting a 3rd hole in it for even more ground clearance. You do lose some leverage the further down you go though. My .

[Handy Don 17,543]

 

21 minutes ago, sqrlgtr said:

 

When transporting turning plow I will move to bottom hole in hitch and have entertained putting a 3rd hole in it for even more ground clearance. You do lose some leverage the further down you go though. My .

If you can manage it, I’d appreciate knowing the low/high range for your hitch when using the low hole? (Measured from ground to top of sleeve.)

Manual or hydro lift?

Edited 3 hours ago by Handy Don

[sqrlgtr 4,074]

13 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

 

If you can manage it, I’d appreciate knowing the low/high range for your hitch when using the low hole? (Measured from ground to top of sleeve.)

Manual or hydro lift?

1257 4 speed with hy2 Hydro unit, will try and get measurements but may be tomorrow tractor is not here with me.

[sqrlgtr 4,074]

@Handy Don top hole looks to be 7 1/2”- 13 1/4” bottom hole 8”-13 3/4”. Hard to see in pics but thats pretty close when I got down on floor (u owe me lol) and measured with tape. Last pick is turning plow point and it had a difference of 1”-2 3/4” from top hole and bottom hole in transport position. Hope this helps ya out. BTW thats with 23x10.50’s on back and they are pretty true to size.