L3130 Three Point Hitch Issue

[dangier_VA]

Have L3130 HST with 1200+ hours on it. Been extremely satisfied with it since new. Have issue with three point hitch after complete fluid and filter change. Hitch will not go up until engine rpm is 2500+ rpm. Then it's slow. UDT is within the dipstick marks. With the service, I changed the little 3" x 3/4" hydraulic hose on the lower right side adjacent to the filter. Goes well on the road at speed and the front loader hydraulics work great. Now I'm stumped. Is there such a thing as a new (possibly defective), filter restricting hydraulic flow? I guess I need to dump the new UDT into pails and take a look at the filters. Might reinstall the old hydraulic filter to see if there is a difference. Has anyone faced this issue?
Thanks in advance.
David

 

[FTG-05]

You put the filter on backwards???


Just messin' with ya! This is really a tag since I have the L4330, very similiar to your L3130. I'll be changing my UDT out in a couple months. I figure if I post in this thread, I'll be able to find it later, which more than likely means I won't have the same problem. If I didn't post, I'd never see this thread (and the solution) ever again....


Good luck!!!

 

[dangier_VA]

Wish it was that simple. Have faithfully changed the hydraulic oil and filter every 400 hours. Never had this issue before. Thinking possibly either bad filter or collapsed short section of the hydraulic hose.... If I raise the loader and lower with a quick stop, the hitch will jump up if I am holding the lever in the up position.
David

 

[varmint]

As a fellow 3130 owner, this interests me. Sadly, I can't help you, but please post when you solve this problem! Good Luck.

 

[jimainiac]

I'm curious about your problem too. We have an L3830HST with almost 1400 hours. This might seem like a silly question, but do you think that the three point hitch lowering speed knob, in front of the seat, could have been moved inadvertently? I never use it, so I'm not sure how much it would affect the functioning of the three point hitch. I'm not familiar with the short hydraulic hose that you replaced, but since it's something different, I'd want to double check that. I'd hate to put an old filter back on, after putting new SUDT fluid in. If I wanted to compare filters, I'd buy another new one, even though they're expensive. If that wasn't the problem you could save the other new one for the next fluid change. Not sure if it matters, but did you use Kubota filters? I use other brand engine oil filters, but I've never dared to use anything but Kubota Hydraulic and HST filters.
I hope you have good luck figuring out what the problem is, but if nothing was wrong before, it seems like it must be one of the things that was changed.

 

[aczlan]

I'm curious about your problem too. We have an L3830HST with almost 1400 hours. This might seem like a silly question, but do you think that the three point hitch lowering speed knob, in front of the seat, could have been moved inadvertently? I never use it, so I'm not sure how much it would affect the functioning of the three point hitch.

That only affects lowering speed, not lifting speed.
Does the tractor have rear remotes or a loader? If so, my first step would be to put a gauge on one of them to see how much pressure you are getting.

Aaron Z

 

[jimainiac]

Thinking some more about your problem. I suppose it could happen, but I've never heard of a new oil filter being bad and restrictive. And if it was, it sure seems like it would affect the whole hydraulic system, not just the 3PH.

 

[Baby Grand]

I can't remember if the 3ph control lever goes directly into the valve block or has a linkage connecting them?
If the latter, then maybe check the linkage for a missing pivot.
Can you hear hydraulic fluid moving when you move the lever, or is there no noise at all?
A a short length of wooden broom handle makes a pretty good stethoscope if you put one end against your ear and the other on the valve or tubes.
I won't even mention to be careful about doing this near moving parts.

 

[dangier_VA]

"Not sure if it matters, but did you use kubota filters? I use other brand engine oil filters, but I've never dared to use anything but Kubota Hydraulic and HST filters."

***Have always used kubota hydraulic and hst filters. I do use Castrol engine oil filters as they are bigger in size.

"Does the tractor have rear remotes or a loader? If so, my first step would be to put a gauge on one of them to see how much pressure you are getting."

***Tractor does have a loader and that seems to work normally. Need to scare up a pressure gauge that will go high enough.

"I can't remember if the 3ph control lever goes directly into the valve block or has a linkage connecting them?"

***Hitch control has one lever to a rod that goes into the top of the HST housing. Watched it while moving the control lever and everything moves like I think it should.
Thanks for the feedback. Will try to keep puzzling it out.
David

 

[Citydude]

Something has changed. You mentioned changing a 3"x3/4" hose. Have you investigated that?

 

[dangier_VA]

Well, found my 3000lb pressure gauge and attached to the quick disconnect on the loader control valve. I have roughly 2700lb pressure available at the loader valve outlet. With that pressure it also tells me that the hydraulic filter and pump are ok. The small (3" x 3/4") hose is a suction line and is not in the loop from the loader control valve to the rear hitch plumbing. It goes from the hst filter to the trans case. I replaced it just due to the hours on the tractor and didn't want to lose all my udt if the hose went.
Still checking.....
David

 

[PapaPerk]

Have L3130 HST with 1200+ hours on it. Been extremely satisfied with it since new. Have issue with three point hitch after complete fluid and filter change. Hitch will not go up until engine rpm is 2500+ rpm. Then it's slow. UDT is within the dipstick marks. With the service, I changed the little 3" x 3/4" hydraulic hose on the lower right side adjacent to the filter. Goes well on the road at speed and the front loader hydraulics work great. Now I'm stumped. Is there such a thing as a new (possibly defective), filter restricting hydraulic flow? I guess I need to dump the new UDT into pails and take a look at the filters. Might reinstall the old hydraulic filter to see if there is a difference. Has anyone faced this issue?
Thanks in advance.
David

Did it work normal before fluid change?

 

[Gordon Gould]

Strange..
Do you have a hydraulic block with a valve in it where the FEL hoses connect under the foot rest? Would it be possible that the screw slot valve got turned slightly while you were working. The valve is one way if you have a loader and 90* the other way with no loader. Directs pump fluid either to the FEL or the back. If it is out of position I can see your situation happening.
Another thing - do you here the pressure relief valve singing ??
Sounds like something between or in the loader valve and the rear end. Something letting the fluid return to tank after reaching the loader valve. So you can't build any pressure in the 3pt unless at high fluid flow.

Suction hose leak - sucking air ??????

 

[dangier_VA]

Gordon, I do have the block where the FEL hoses connect under the right foot rest. Will check to see if I can find the screw slot. Where should the prv valve be? Have several things that could be it.
As far as I can recall, the rear hitch seemed to work ok for about 20 minutes after the service. At least that is when I noticed the lag in hitch response. Don't believe there is a suction hose leak-but will check that. Am thinking that I need to look for a shop manual...
See that you are in NE Vermont. What town? My family hails from Newport and Westfield.

Thanks,
David

 

[dangier_VA]

Checked out the hydraulic suction line (3/4" x 3"0, and it is tight with no leaks showing. Messicks was kind enough to send me a hydraulics pdf a week or so ago. It has the front hydraulic block shown in the parts breakdown. Looks to be a pressure regulating valve with the relief piped to the transmission sump. The pressure regulating is done by shims (total of 7mm), so it is not adjustable. Do these shims wear? Seems hard to believe that the hitch lifting capacity has been weak all along and I have not noticed it... I found a cd with the shop repair manual online and have it ordered. Don't want to make a bad situation worse by messing with it.
Thanks,
David

 

[Citydude]

Checked out the hydraulic suction line (3/4" x 3"0, and it is tight with no leaks showing. Messicks was kind enough to send me a hydraulics pdf a week or so ago. It has the front hydraulic block shown in the parts breakdown. Looks to be a pressure regulating valve with the relief piped to the transmission sump. The pressure regulating is done by shims (total of 7mm), so it is not adjustable. Do these shims wear? Seems hard to believe that the hitch lifting capacity has been weak all along and I have not noticed it... I found a cd with the shop repair manual online and have it ordered. Don't want to make a bad situation worse by messing with it. Thanks, David

Hi David. Probably a dumb question however is the hose you replaced an OEM part?

 

[Gordon Gould]

I agree and would not mess with the prv in the block. The shims don't wear. They are a fine adjust on the spring tension thus the pressure setting. If you have 2700 psi that sounds good. Certainly not low. I was thinking the prv on the loader valve might be opening.

I didn't relize everything worked for 20 minutes. That sheds a new light maybe. Does your loader still pick up it's normal weight ? And is the 3 pth weak or slow or both ?

I am in in Waterford. 35 miles south of Newport.

 

[dangier_VA]

"Hi David. Probably a dumb question however is the hose you replaced an OEM part?"
***By OEM, do you mean obtainable from the manufacturer? If so, yes it has a part number on the Kubota site. I just cut a piece of 100 psi heavy duty hose. Looks a lot better than the original one.

"I didn't relize everything worked for 20 minutes. That sheds a new light maybe. Does your loader still pick up it's normal weight ? And is the 3 pth weak or slow or both ?"
***I am beginning to wonder if this has been a gradual thing.... If the shims don't wear, what has changed-spring tension? I used to be able to pick up a pallet of cement blocks on the rear hitch with pallet forks. Now, it will not lift its own weight and a box blade without revving the engine to ~2700-2800 rpm.
"I am in in Waterford. 35 miles south of Newport."
***Ah, St. Johnsbury-been through there many times in the 50's and 60's. Nice place..

David

 

[jimainiac]

Just wondering, in your posts you say "UDT". Do you actually use UDT or SUDT? The manual specifies SUDT, and even though it's really expensive, I've never dared use anything else. Actually, I guess it's mostly for the HST transmission, and wouldn't matter for the 3ph, and you say the tractor travels okay. You said you checked the level and it was between the marks on the dipstick. Was that before you started it or after? Is the level still okay now?
I'm grabbing at straws here...
I know things often wear out gradually, but it sure seams like you would have noticed this problem before, and just a straight fluid and filter change shouldn't have aggravated the condition.

 

[dangier_VA]

Jim,
Have to check my owners manual, but every time I have purchased hydraulic fluid, the dealer has asked if I want UDT or SUDT (knowing it is a L3130). Fluid level is right at the full mark right now. I also think I would have noticed before, I go in the woods with the dump trailer for firewood and put quite a load on the hitch. That was about three weeks ago. Now it barely picks up itself with the box blade. Have to find out the range of fluid pressures specified and go from there. Have a shop manual on order. Probably won't fool with it much more until that comes.
Thanks,
David