Ford 5000 mounted implement sway

[LeeT]

Implements mounted on the three point hitch sway left and right too far during operation, particularly on side hills. What"s the best way to stabilize the hydraulic lift arms? Thanks, Lee

 

[jimont]

Go to your nearest NH dealer and get a pair of sway-bars that are made for your 5000. These bars are not universal and are designed only for 5000"s. DO NOT USE ANY SWAY BAR WHEN USING A PLOW as plows are meant to move back and forth in order to align with the furrow.

 

[RickB]

Tisco sells a chain stabilizer kit for the 5000 that is way less money than the OEM stuff. And way easier to deal with than the rigid style that NH woud sell.

 

[dbear]

We always ran with sway bars even when plowing. If you have any considerable slope side hills, you really have to. Never had a single problem with them on, but the darn plow would only take about half a bite at best without them.

 

[souNdguy]

I'm using a set of chains on my 5000 like rickb mentions.. probably tisco made.. I got mine at TSC.. they have turnbuckles to adjust them.

 

[RodinNS]

The sway chains are one method, and probably about the only method available at the time.

I'd sooner retrofit a set of square tubular stabilizers from a 10 series or later tractor.
You might have to drill the arms to fit them on a 5000 and you might have to make axle brackets depending on what's offered in the kit... but that's what I'd do personally. The square tube stabilizers can be locked in a dozen or more different places so you basically get it set wherever you want.
The OEM type outside bars are worthless in my opinion. We had two or three sets here that come on new tractors and I don't recall them ever being used for much other than prybars...

Rod

 

[Brian in MA]

Rod - do you have any photos of the 10 series stabilizers? I have had thoughts of fabbing a set for my 4600 & 5600 but never saw any that I really liked or thought were worth the effort.

 

[Fordfarmer]

I have a set on my 7000... (don't think any mods were required... been a long time though) I'll try to remember to take a pic later today. While I don't dislike the original sway bars quite as much as Rod, he's right about the square ones being the way to go.

 

[RodinNS]

I was going to say I did't have any pics... but I do have a couple in this album, although they're not good. I think if you keep clicking on the picture it'll show you the rest in the album.
These are Sparex's version, mounted on a 7710. It seems to me they were about a hundred bucks and some change when I got them a few years ago. Probably a bit dearer now...

Rod
pics...

 

[Brian in MA]

Thanks.

 

[Brian in MA]

Thanks. I'll look for the photo.

 

[Fordfarmer]

OK... an attempt at attaching pics from photobucket... 2 of my 7000 (manure and mud included) and 1 of a 6610 II at a dealer's lot... Hope this works. No mods to attach the square ones to the 7000 - they use 2 square U-bolts over the axle and a bolt through the lift arm where the sway chain used to anchor.

 

[RodinNS]

That 6610 has the turnbuckle variety.
I had them on my TS.... They pulled apart one day on the plow. With great fortune and fanfare, they were buried 8" deep somewhere in an 18 acre field. I just hope I never find them with the harvester...
I found they lack the range of the square ones. It makes hitching difficult unless you remove the pin and drop the stabilizer. Their other keen feature is that they seize up in fairly short order as they're generally covered with mud.
Better than the flatstock jobs that the old models used, but not much.
That's also an odd looking II with the flip up PTO sheild and the early style hydraulic levers? I've never seen one like that.

Rod

 

[Fordfarmer]

It's got the black stripe and II on the side, didn't appear to be a repaint... never asked what year it is... my cousin was interested, that's the only reason I have pics of it.

 

[Brian in MA]

Awesome. Thanks to you both. Where would I buy a set of the square ones? I like that set-up better than the turnbuckles for t he same reasons as you, mine seems to be covered in mud and manure more often than not. I was thinking of making my own, but if they are still in the $100ish range, it might not be worth it. I'm sure if they bolt right to the 7000, they'd bolt right to my 5600. Thaks again gents.

 

[LeeT]

(quoted from post at 22:12:21 03/02/09) Implements mounted on the three point hitch sway left and right too far during operation, particularly on side hills. What"s the best way to stabilize the hydraulic lift arms? Thanks, Lee

Thanks for the ideas folks.
Lee

 

[Fordfarmer]

The ones on my 7000 (I think they are sparex, also) came from my local Ford dealer, back when there was one in town. Been thinking I'd get a set for my 4600, if they have one that would fit, and IF the NH guys can figure out how to get it. (they were IH and then Case/IH... don't have a lot of knowledge on Fords... or seem to care)