Does your 3-point take a hydraulic beating

[PineRidge]

My last tractor had a feature that once the 3-point was lifted with an attached implement you could then throw a lever to lock the load in place. At that point you could relive the hydraulic pressure on the lift mechanism and safely travel with the implement in the raised position with no further strain to the hydraulics.

Unfortunately my New Holland doesen't have this transport feature and I'm sure there are also more than a few other makes that lack this lock as well. My point is this, when I'm not using my tractor I always lower any attached implement. But i'm sure driving down a bumpy road or pasture has got to put some serious pressure spikes to the hydraulic circuit. They could have just as easily been eliminated with a simple mechanical lock. Anyone else share this concern?

 

[ZJ_HR]

This feature I will never use. On bumpy road, if you have heavy implement, mechanical lach is too hard, and stress on tractor is big. Hydraulics usually have overloading valve to lower implement when pressure caused by sway is too big. This feature lower stress on tractor frame and 3pt lift.

 

[MicroPilot]

So you either stress the hydraulic system which PineRidge is concerned about, or you stress the mechanicals and frane which ZJ_HR would worry about. Can't win fer losin'.

My tractor has a knob that you can turn to close the 3PT valve to lock a load in the carry position. This valve also lets you regulate the speed the 3PT lowers. Is this the best of both systems, a lockout with hydraulic cushion?

I always thought that hydraulic oil didn't compress (or very little), and thats why it is used instead of air or water, so maybe it doesn't "cushion" the load.

 

[KiotiJohn]

My Kioti has the 3pt speed controller as well. Just close it completely and the load stays up regardless of where you have the 3pt hitch lever. I thought NH had these as well. Look under your seat somewhere just above the platform, maybe you have one too PineRidge. John

 

[OkieG]

My little JD has the knob under the seat. Like MicroPilot & KJ, mine adjusts the rate of fall, but when closed down, can lock the 3PH in place. Somehow, though, the relative inaccessibility of the knob makes it seem that maybe it's not intended to be used on a regular basis, ie as a transport lock for rear implements. Don't know for sure though. I dont' recall the Operator's Manual mentioning any use other than adjusting the rate of fall of the 3PH. I'll check and get back with you if I find anything interesting.

<font color="blue"> driving down a bumpy road or pasture has got to put some serious pressure spikes to the hydraulic circuit </font>

Probably the same stress as driving with the FEL bucket loaded. No lock for the FEL.

OkieG

 

[JerryG]

The three point has a relief valve that comes into use when a heavy piece of equipment is being transported if something such as a large bump is hit. This protects the lift cylinder and valving. If the rate of drop knob is turned off the relief is also turned off. That is the way, the rate valves are made. The chance of damaging the lift cylinder and valving is greatly increased because of the stress placed on the components from the shock load. Don't turn the valve off during transport.

 

[KiotiJohn]

Kioti Owner's Manual under section, "Using 3pt Hitch":
When transporting on the road, set the implement lowering control in the "LOCK" position to hold the implement in the raised position. John

 

[JerryG]

Either Kioti is different from the rest of the world or they are referencing to the position lock for the position control lever.

 

[txdon]

<font color="blue">"Anyone else share this concern?"
</font>

The Kubota Grand L series tractors, 3130-5030, have a 3-point hitch lowering speed knob located in front of and below the seat. It has three positions: right is fast, up is slow and left is lock.

The manual states: "When transporting on the road set the implement lowering speed knob in the "LOCK" position to hold the implement in the raised position."

The manual also cautions: "To avoid personal injury: Fast lowering speed may cause damage or injury. Lowering speeds of implements should be adjusted to two or more seconds."

 

[RoyJackson]

Per the John Deere manual for the 790:

"The speed-of-drop/lock valve is used with rockshaft control lever. This valve will control how fast a three-point hitch mounted piece of equipment will drop. This valve will also hydraulically lock the rockshaft (three-point hitch) in a desired position ."

So, it appears Deere expects that knob to lock implements as well as rate of drop.
I didn't know this, so I learned something today...