L3800 3pt hitch operation

[jcb]

Hi all - new member here. I have read numerous articles re the jerky 3pt hitch issue with the L3400 models. I am ready to purchase a new L3800 but wanted feedback from anyone that owns an L3800 regarding the 3pt operation. Does the new 3200/3800 have the same issue ?

Thanks in advance

 

[teg]

The first generation of L2800 and L3400 were really bad... kubota changed the valves and there were less jerky (livable). kubota has not change the valves with the updated L3200 and L3800 (L3700, too). Try it out for yourself... if you are not planning to use a boom pole or do fine grading, it should be fine. The problem is if you raise the 3ph very slowly...

 

[k0ua]

Also you will not be able to tell much if the tractor does not have an implement on the 3ph. just a bare tractor will not prove much. I have a 2010 L3400, and the 3pt hitch is jerky if you try to raise it slowly. If you just move the lever smartly up. there will be one "jerk" at the end of movement. But if you try to raise the lever slowly the 3pt. will be a series of jerky raising movements. Of course lowering the 3pt, it is silky smooth. Not a problem for the things I do., but I can see how lifting a motor with a boom pole, would be an issue.

James K0UA

 

[JakeBrake]

The 3pt hitch on my 2005 L3830 is as slick as anything you could ask for. Up or down. Fast or slow. Of course if you are too fast, it will operate at its own speed.

 

[Mike_Kanzer]

I agree with the others. HAve the dealer put something heavy on it ( like a rotary mower) and try it out for your self to see what it is like. My L3830 also has a smooth 3 pt. - the grand L series never had the problem the regular L series had. - Mike

 

[Chilly807]

I agree with the others. HAve the dealer put something heavy on it ( like a rotary mower) and try it out for your self to see what it is like. My L3830 also has a smooth 3 pt. - the grand L series never had the problem the regular L series had. - Mike

I'd agree also, the rotary cutter is a good choice for trying it out, or a post hole digger, something that extends a ways back behind the tractor. It's one of the few things I don't like about my 3400, enough that I probably wouldn't buy another one unless the problem had been corrected.

I'm not being hard-headed, there's simply too many good tractors that DON'T have this problem to buy one that does.

It may not bother you in the least, but you do have the benefit of being aware that it may exist on the new L3800 as well as the older L models.

Research is a good thing.

Sean

 

[SmokemanGRP]

Yes, my L3800 has the jerky 3pt problem. As others have said, if you try to nudge it up a bit at a time it bounces.

 

[lzicc]

I haven't used my 3 point much, but I did notice a jerkiness to it. Is there a way to fix that? Recall or is that just the way it is?

 

[Chilly807]

I haven't used my 3 point much, but I did notice a jerkiness to it. Is there a way to fix that? Recall or is that just the way it is?

It's too bad you didn't see the "Saga of The L-Series 3 Point Hitch" on PBS before you bought...

OK, enough of that, there are a couple of very long threads here devoted to the topic, without redesigning the tractor we've exhausted most if not all avenues.

Here's one of them:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/135167-my-quest-grand-3-point.html

In my personal opinion, I think the valve allows too much flow into the raise cylinder of the 3 point hitch, or the flow isn't damped enough. The feedback linkage shuts the flow off rather abruptly, which is what causes the bounce.

I've toyed with the idea of trying to install a restrictor in the line going to the 3 point valve, but came to the conclusion that it would simply cause the flow to go over the main relief valve, since the restriction needs to be after the valve, but before the cylinder. The valve only uses oil from the stream when the position lever is moved to "raise", so any restriction in front of it is pointless.

I think the current tractors, my '09 included, have the most advanced valve Kubota has come up with for the economy L-series. The early ones were worse from what I've seen. The fact the Grand L's don't have the same problem leads me to believe the problem is in the cylinder and internal linkage design, not the valve.

The only thing that's going to entirely cure it, in my opinion, is a re-design of that part of the system, and evidently Kubota didn't go that far with the L3200/L3800 from what we've seen here recently. I approached my dealer about it last year, they were of the opinion that some folks had complained about it, and that there was no real "fix" for the problem.

Sean

 

[L3700SU]

This is the first I've read of this problem and I've noticed it with my 2010 L3700 with a load on it. It wasn't a harsh action but not as smooth as my B1700. I have the draft control turned back for a slower rise and fall.

Does the draft contol affect this problem? I haven't experimented with it yet since I only recently noticed it.

Not a problem but maybe an annoyance.

 

[teg]

...OK, enough of that, there are a couple of very long threads here devoted to the topic, without redesigning the tractor we've exhausted most if not all avenues...

Ahh, this again... first of all mine is Grand L smooth, why? ...because (back when you could) I threw one heck of a whinny screaming ***** fit!!! Those days are gone...

Remember the guy, a little while ago, that complained about his L3400 - and he was tarred and feathered and got ran off TBN. His dealer *was* going to "fix" the jerky hitch. I suspect the same "fix" that I got would still work... and that is replacing the valve with one from a Grand L. THAT IS... if you can buy one. (now that the cat's out of the bag... "headquarters" will put a stop to that).

PS. The jerk is much better than the 2004 and 2005-ish models. Old threads have the Serial number cutoffs... Remember, $16,000 is considered "economical" class :confused2:

 

[Chilly807]

This is the first I've read of this problem and I've noticed it with my 2010 L3700 with a load on it. It wasn't a harsh action but not as smooth as my B1700. I have the draft control turned back for a slower rise and fall.

Does the draft contol affect this problem? I haven't experimented with it yet since I only recently noticed it.

Not a problem but maybe an annoyance.

When you say draft control, are you referring to the small knob under the front edge of the seat?

If so, that's a restrictor on the "lower" side of the 3ph cylinder plumbing, it has no effect on the "raise" portion of the circuit. It's meant to slow down the rate of drop on heavy implements.

Sean

 

[drg1]

Why does everyone have to say Economy Class ...SO are we the economy people not to expect the same basic mechanical attributes that the elite group gets..Are we to have square tires, missing steering wheels etc...Those things would be obvious, but no where does it state that you are to get jerky 3pt hitches because you werent fortunate enough to buy a $ 30,ooo dollar tractor...Just from my economy point of view

 

[TripleR]

Why does everyone have to say Economy Class ...SO are we the economy people not to expect the same basic mechanical attributes that the elite group gets..Are we to have square tires, missing steering wheels etc...Those things would be obvious, but no where does it state that you are to get jerky 3pt hitches because you werent fortunate enough to buy a $ 30,000 dollar tractor...Just from my economy point of view

No matter the nomenclature, standard or economy, there is no excuse for a substandard hitch on modern tractors. We have some older tractors with that type of hitch, but they were made many years ago and the ones made today work as they should.

As much as I like Kubota, they are going to have to step up their game in some areas or they will start losing market share.

 

[teg]

Why does everyone have to say Economy Class...

because those are kubota's words... in several replies about trying to upgrade valves. "You bought the economy line and that is the valve you get".

 

[Chilly807]

I think it was a case of the overall design of the valve/cylinder/linkage combination creating a lack of smooth operation. By the time it was apparent it was probably too far along in the process to go back without making major changes.

All in all, it's an annoyance, and one all the owners of the L series would like to have corrected. It's not a show-stopper by any means, just less than what we've come to expect from Kubota.

They took a chance by leaving it unresolved, and their gamble has paid off handsomely. I think there are very few owners that were aware of it when they signed on the dotted line, and those that were aware decided it wasn't a big deal.

I fall into the first group, and can live with it. The next time I buy a tractor (if ever !) it's going to have an implement mounted on the 3 ph and cycled up and down before any money changes hands. That being said, I'm sure there'll be other "flaws" I'll miss during the buying process.

The L series are good tractors, overall. Sort of like a good woman with a wart on the end of her nose.

Sean

 

[k0ua]

I think it was a case of the overall design of the valve/cylinder/linkage combination creating a lack of smooth operation. By the time it was apparent it was probably too far along in the process to go back without making major changes.

All in all, it's an annoyance, and one all the owners of the L series would like to have corrected. It's not a show-stopper by any means, just less than what we've come to expect from Kubota.

They took a chance by leaving it unresolved, and their gamble has paid off handsomely. I think there are very few owners that were aware of it when they signed on the dotted line, and those that were aware decided it wasn't a big deal.

I fall into the first group, and can live with it. The next time I buy a tractor (if ever !) it's going to have an implement mounted on the 3 ph and cycled up and down before any money changes hands. That being said, I'm sure there'll be other "flaws" I'll miss during the buying process.

The L series are good tractors, overall. Sort of like a good woman with a wart on the end of her nose.

Sean

Couldn't have said it better.. Just not a big deal for most things. Boompole excepted maybe, and I dont have a boompole. I am thinking about making one for the FEL tho:thumbsup:. I love my L3400, warts and all:laughing:

 

[TripleR]

I am sure it is a personal thing kind of like position control or lack thereof on the BX/B20 Series. It will be a deal breaker for some and not for others. I personally will never buy another tractor without position control if someone makes the same size with it and I will never buy a tractor with jerky 3-point, I already have a couple of those and they aggravate the heck out of me.

Whether or not it bothers someone, I see it as a failure on the part of Kubota and they need to build good tractors, not those that are just "good enough" that owners will overlook their flaws.

 

[teg]

For me, with using a boompole, it would have been a deal breaker IF I knew about it. I feel that by NOT hooking an implement up and showing how the 3ph works, dealers are hiding the fact that it's jerky. I know "buyer beware"...

I would not buy a L3200/3800 tractor if mine needed to be replaced today. I would have replaced my L2800 tractor a long time ago instead of living with the problem, too. :2cents: (I had the valves replaced)

Now to disclose some reasons... I don't know if the seats on the new tractors are better; ie. suspension seats would be "stuck" in the down position straight from the dealer. So, the jerk resonated through my spine... So not only did we have a jerkier valve (older model), we felt it more. (this does sound like an older timer... "back then... we walked to school, uphill..." but at least 50yo tractors had smoother valves!?!?)

 

[Chilly807]

For me, with using a boompole, it would have been a deal breaker IF I knew about it. I feel that by NOT hooking an implement up and showing how the 3ph works, dealers are hiding the fact that it's jerky. I know "buyer beware"...

I would not buy a L3200/3800 tractor if mine needed to be replaced today. I would have replaced my L2800 tractor a long time ago instead of living with the problem, too. :2cents: (I had the valves replaced)

Now to disclose some reasons... I don't know if the seats on the new tractors are better; ie. suspension seats would be "stuck" in the down position straight from the dealer. So, the jerk resonated through my spine... So not only did we have a jerkier valve (older model), we felt it more. (this does sound like an older timer... "back then... we walked to school, uphill..." but at least 50yo tractors had smoother valves!?!?)

You've pretty much summed up my feelings as well.

Sean