Ford 340B draft control

[philly60]

Hello all, long time lurker here but dang there is a ton of knowledge on this site. Long story short, I recently upgraded to a bigger tractor, a Ford 340B. I'm familiar with the operation of the tractor, but I've never owned a tractor that had a "draft" lever which is located on the other side of the lift lever (3way). I've searched for a definitive answer on why and what it's operation is but I'm still not understanding. If anyone can help me out, I'd be grateful. Tractor is mainly used for bush hogging and used to dig holes for pasture post.

Dan

 

[philly60]

WOW, no one can help?

 

[Harry in Ky]

Draft has to do with mounted implements, mainly used for tillage(plows, chisels, ground breaking equipment, etc) MOST three point systems employ this, some are based on lift arm load, flex shaft type, some have top link sensing. It's a concept designed to apply some lift to the implement under certain conditions for traction mainly, but a few other purposes as well. That's why it's adjustable separately from the position control. It is, of course tied to the lift system, so the position of either lever can affect the operation of the other.

 

[philly60]

Thanks for the explanation Harry, that clears up a bunch of question I had.

 

[CobyRupert]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but in simple terms doesn't it sense the strain and it automatically lifts (adjusts) the 3pth? Say if your plowing and the strain increases, it lifts the plow up until strain decreases. The lever adjusts the sensitivity.

 

[philly60]

From what I gathered Coby, that is correct. A few local farmers said the draft lever was used mainly for plowing. Considering that's not something I do, not saying that I would never use my tractor for plowing, but I was trying to find out if there was a way to, if you will, turn the draft function off.

 

[DJ54]

Don't have it in the draft position when digging post holes. When you're augering, and it's pulling itself down, the draft control will pick it back up.