1/4 Inching and Postition Control

[Mike058]

Even though I know the difference between the two (I love this video YouTube - Kubota B7610 Quarter Inch Valve versus Position Control) I'm wondering for what I have in mind if I can get by with the 1/4 inching setup. A box blade sits on the ground when in use, so it seems position control wouldn't be very useful. It's either up or all the way down. How about a flail mower? I wouldn't be using it on manicured turf grass, but rather knocking down weeds, scotch broom and that kind of thing. Maybe it's not that simple, so I'd like to hear what others think about it.

 

[Bird]

You can certainly "get by" with the quarter inching valve. Many of us have gotten by with neither the quarter inching valve nor position control. I really like position control, and would rather not buy a tractor without it, but personally I'd put it in the "convenience" column instead of the "necessity" column.

 

[MicroPilot]

So with a 1/4 inch control how do you lift the arms to the 1/2 way position? "pump" the lever 4 or 5 times?

How do you limit the travel of the arms for an implement that needs to be a certain height? On my machine there is a stop that slides in the position control levers slot that you can place to set a limit on the arms travel.

If you don't have position control, does that mean the arms are either fully up or fully down and no in between?

 

[Bird]

If you don't have position control, does that mean the arms are either fully up or fully down and no in between?

Not at all. It just means you have to look at the implement on the 3-point, move the lever forward or backward, depending on whether you want to lower or raise the 3-point, then move the lever back to the center when the 3-point gets to the height you want. On some, if not all, tractors without position control, you don't actually have to manually move the lever back to the center; you can just turn it loose when the 3-point gets to the height you want, and it'll center itself.

 

[John861]

Not at all. It just means you have to look at the implement on the 3-point, move the lever forward or backward, depending on whether you want to lower or raise the 3-point, then move the lever back to the center when the 3-point gets to the height you want. On some, if not all, tractors without position control, you don't actually have to manually move the lever back to the center; you can just turn it loose when the 3-point gets to the height you want, and it'll center itself.

So basically it operates like a regular spool valve? If so, this type of 3-point control would work like a loader control. Doesn't seem like a problem to me.

 

[Bird]

Doesn't seem like a problem to me.

You're right, John. It's not really a "problem" but with position control, you can get to the end of a row, raise the implement on the back, turn, and move the lever right back to where it was before (there's a "stop" that you can set to always go back to the same place), so you're putting your implement at the same height or depth every time without even looking back. Without position control, you have to turn and look behind you at the implement, lower it while watching it, and try to stop lowering it when you visually believe it's the right height or depth. Sure is convenient to not have to turn and look behind you, and gets to be an even greater convenience as you get older and stiffer.

 

[ChuckinNH]

I was using a rotary cutter on my new B2620 today, and would have liked position control. I would also like a quick change bucket setup on the loader, but decided that the overall tractor, and intergration of Kubota attachments was worth doing without those things. My bush hogging went well, and I found you can get a feel for where things are pretty quickly. I think any job where you are referencing the ground will go well with the quarter inching, and I do like the slow, and smooth movement of the 3pt when using that mode.

 

[RalphVa]

Think the best control on mowers is their deck relative to the trail wheels on them. Is a flail more like a brush hog (e.g. lift sets the front height) or like a regular mower with wheels at front and back?

Ralph

 

[Smokin Diesel]

I was using a rotary cutter on my new B2620 today, and would have liked position control.

Check your manual. I don't have mine in front of me right now to give you the page#, but there's an adjustable stop for down-travel on the 3PH. It's not in an obvious spot, but it's not hard to get at either (below the seat, above the transaxle, right side). That should help with mowing.

 

[schmism]

so the 3pt floats also?

you can pull it up a 1/16" of an inch by not useing the inch control, leaving the lever in the "other" mode and just bumping it a fuz?

1/4" sounds good at the 3pt arms, but hang a 5' brush hog off the back and a movement like he was makeing would send the rear of the hog moving 2" or more.

I often fine tune my rear blade to 1/2" or less of movement at the blade (5' behind the 3pt arms) 1/4" control wouldnt be very good the way i see it for that...