3 pt hitch limiting chain?

[Junkman302]

The three-point hitch on my B7200 has a chain on the left lift rod. It's only connected to the bottom of the lift rod, and the other end just hangs on a hanger on the upper end of the rod. No description in the parts list except "chain" and a part number.

I'm guessing it is called a limiting chain, intended to connect to some stationary component in the upper part of the hitch to prevent the hitch from lowering over time as many older hitches tend to do due to small hydraulic leaks.

The hydraulics on this old thing are pretty good, but I would find this a potentially useful thing to maintain the belly mower at a uniform height.

So, what is its purpose and where do I connect the other end of the chain?

 

[whitetiger]

belly mower at a uniform height.

So, what is its purpose and where do I connect the other end of the chain?

There should be a slot in a plate just ahead of the center link mount, the chain is dropped into the slot to only allow the 3-point arms to lower to a certain height.
You can raise the 3 point, but when you lower it, the arms will only drop until the chain is tight, giving you the same height every time.

 

[D2Cat]

Put the chain in the slot to anchor an implement when moving down the road!

 

[Junkman302]

I noticed that there is a slot in the base of the ROP that the chain fits in. (Not great, but adequate.) Guessing that's what you meant.
So unlike Kubota to create something so "Mickey Mouse" as that.
Thanks!

 

[whitetiger]

So unlike Kubota to create something so "Mickey Mouse" as that.

Most agricultural tractor manufacturers have used it for at least 70 + years now.
To have an engineer redesign it could turn out like when they tried to redesign the dipstick, and we wound up with a sight gauge.