Independent Float on 3 Point

I'm kinda casually on a slow speed search for a tractor to dedicate to my Mott flail. I've used it happily with my MF 135, but I have to remove the lift links and replace them with chains so I get independent float on the arms. I always thought that better described as roll, but either way that's what it needs to follow the ground.

Obviously it isn't the end of the world to change it over, but it isn't fast either when I want to go back to the pallet forks, which absolutly can't have that feature.

Does that warrant another tractor? Well, that's why it's a slow speed search...

I know some tractors have that flexibility built in to the lift links. It isn't something that gets called out when you're looking at used equipment ads though.

For example, there's this International 485 listed that's basically in the size/capability/age range I'm looking in. Looking at the photos, there would seem to be something going on with the lift links. There's gotta be a reason for the various bumps, bulges, and pins, but nothing is screaming out at me. This is a photo of a replacement lift link for that model...



Does it float? Thoughts?

Better options in that late 70's early 80's 45-55 horse range? The 485 really does look nice in the photos, but I haven't made the trip to see it, and I've never personally been around International gear to know their quirks.

I could just leave it on the 135, and get something for the other tasks, but I'd really like to find something a little easier to run, so my other half wouldn't have an issue. Power steering, and an independant PTO rather than that stiff two stage clutch pedal on the 135. New obviously isn't an option since I haven't hit the lottery yet...

tough british tractors
the holes are for pins to control float range

Three point lifts that DO NOT float are very rare. Your 135 will float without changing a thing from original.

Are you sure the arms don't float anyway? Most older tractors were gravity down. What happens if you try to lift the arms by hand when they are down?
AaronSEIA

I think he is looking for the arms to be free (separate) from each other so one could be going down when the other one goes up; independent float from each other.

That's the issue with the Float term...

INDEPENDENT float is the issue. I'm aware the arms will float together on almost any tractor.

I need the flail to follow the ground, regardless of say a rear wheel dropping in a hole. Say it's the right rear wheel, that would cause the arms to float up, but if they're rigidly locked together, then the left side of the flail would rise up away from the ground.

You could call it twist, or roll along the front to back axis of the tractor.

RWB -- That was kinda my thinking. Seemed too robust to be just storage for linch pins...

John Deere had slots in the lower end lift yokes that could allow a couple inches of float or be blocked from floating with metal tabs that were turned to allow or block lateral float. Here is a picture from a 1020 Operator's Manual.

OK, the need is side to side independence. I would just go to a salvage yard where they have dozens of them sitting in a rack and select a slotted pair that I liked.

A lot of 3 point finish mowers, such as
Farm King, Landpride used a floating link
between the mower and the 3 point lift
arms. You could have a set of those made
to adapt to your Mott. Those finish mowers
maybe only used a single strap type
because they weren't that heavy. But it
can be done with a double strap as well.
It would not be that costly to have done.

Sounds like you need to dump the 3pt and go with a pulled mower hitched to the drawbar and let it twist as it goes.

Re Float on IH/CIH 54/74/84/85/95/32XX/42XX tractors, see photo below from my brother's CIH 495..
When the upper pin is pulled on the lift link, it can float about 3, see rust marks on lift link.
My brother has a 3pt IH grain drill that requires the pins to be pulled on the 3pt lift links when going over uneven ground.

I also use a Mott flail mower on the 3 pt hitch of my John Deere 650 compact diesel. I have made some changes to my mower so it floats independently of the tractor. Basically my tractor only pulls and powers it. I added 2 adjustable gauge wheels to the front of the mower frame, then I extended my lower hitch pin mounts 7 inches forward and made a 7 inch extension link to go in my top hitch point that pivots up and down on the original top hitch pin of the mower. The mower now follows the ground contour very well.

He is talking about side to side float. Looking for slots in lift lengths. Looked at all our tractors. All had slots available in lift lengths.

This post was edited by Brian G. NY on 11/01/2023 at 08:12 am.

See similar slots in many Ford tractors as well to allow the side to side float. Maybe started with the 1000 model series or somewhere in there by the 70s.

Paul

yes sir thats what it is.