Controlling Implement Sway

Drive down any rural road and you're likely to see a tractor pulling an implement behind it. I've seen some that sway so bad from side-to-side, it could become a safety issue. Older utility tractors may not have anything attached to the three-point-hitch to help control the side-to-side motion.

Richard Kershner is a product marketing manager with John Deere. He says there are a couple of ways to control implement sway from your three-point-hitch.

"Some tractors utilize what is called a sway chain, and that is typically chain links with a turnbuckle. So when an implement is installed, it's always good to go back and adjust that chain by either shortening or lengthening the turnbuckle on that assembly to tighten up the amount of play when the implement's attached," says Kershner.

The other option is a telescoping bar that adjusts for various attachments. You insert a pin into a slot on the bar to prevent side-to-side motion.

Regardless of the implement, Kershner says it doesn't matter whether you use the bar or the chain for sway control. It mostly comes down to preference, and the model of tractor.

"Typically what you'll see on tractors today is the bars are considered more of a premium feature so you'll see them on some of your higher-spec compact utility tractors, larger utility tractors," says Kershner. "It's base equipment, or standard equipment on those models. So it's really a spec-level differentiator."

Depending on the implement, there may need to be some play to allow for movement on the ground. Not having any sway control could cause you to lose control of the tractor's steering accuracy, especially if speed is involved. If the sway control isn't adjusted properly, too much side-to-side action could also damage your rear tires.